Page 59 of Holiday Hostilities

“Yup,” I tell her. But as she prances up the stairs in front of me in that uniform of hers, my throat gets tight.

It’s probably not ideal to be staring at your new roommate’s butt on the day she moves in, is it? Especially while she’s wearing that ridiculously sexy flight attendant skirt.

What was AmeriJet thinking, giving its employees such scandalous uniforms?

Although, now that I think about it, I’ve been on hundreds of AmeriJet flights over the years, and have never once been tempted by—or even noticed—said skirt.

Olivia just wears it so damn well. It’s hardnotto notice.

I try to focus on her long, red ponytail instead, but by the time we get upstairs, I’m a little flustered. And it has nothing to do with the weight I’m carrying.

Trying to look cool and casual, I tip my head to the right. “I’m staying down there, and you’ll be over here.”

She squints her eyes at me, like she has me sussed out. “Lead the way.”

As I push open the door to my bedroom, I can’t help but wonder what she might think of it. I find myself hoping she’ll be comfortable here.

When I bought this house, I hired a decorator and gave him a vague rundown of what I wanted it to look like. He managed to bring what little info I gave him to life better than I could have ever imagined.

I love how it all turned out, and for some reason, I hope Olivia likes it, too.

Setting down the suitcases, I flick on the light. She gasps.

I’m gratified to see her mouth hanging open the same way it did when she saw my Christmas tree, but this time, her face is less appalled, more amazed.

“Thisis your room?” Her eyes are big and round as she takes in the space, and it suddenly occurs to me thatOlivia Griswold is in my bedroom.

“What were you expecting, an upside-down coffin or something?”

“Yup.” She smirks. “Or maybe a dark, creepy little cave. Like where Gollum lives.”

“Nerd,” I tease her.

“Takes one to know one,” she shoots back, taking a seat on the bed.

“Well, make yourself at home. And by the way, I keep my handcuffs in the drawer by the bed, if you so…” I trail off at her horrified expression. “Kidding, Livvy.”

“Oh,” she says on an exhale. “Yeah. Duh.”

I give her a teasing smirk. “I’ll go unload the rest of the stuff from the truck.”

She stands from the bed. “I’ll give you a hand.”

“No need. Probably good for me to climb those stairs a few times. Gotta get those glute workouts in, right?”

Liv rolls her eyes with a loud sigh. “Obnoxious as that was, thanks. I’d love to take a shower.”

“Should have everything you need in the ensuite,” I say, nodding towards the bathroom to the right, which I’ve stocked with all of Maddie’s recommendations. Although Lord only knows what a hair mask is.

Olivia gives me a little smile before opening one of her suitcases and rummaging through her clothes. Meanwhile, I walk back towards the staircase, doing everything in my power not to think about the fact that Olivia Griswold will soon be in my shower.

I’m unsuccessful, and I almost trip on the first damn stair.

22

AARON

After I’ve deposited the rest of Olivia’s things outside my—uh,her—bedroom door, I duck into my new bedroom to change into sweatpants and a hoodie. Then, I head to the kitchen, where my other project for the evening awaits.

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