Page 11 of Merry with Me

What?

“Sweet baby Jesus in a manger. How do you not like Christmas cookies? It’s a cookie with icing and sprinkles. What’s not to love?” I don’t understand this man. “Besides, they’re blue and white icing with darker blue sprinkles. That’s not a Christmas cookie. That’s just a damn good sugar cookie you’re missing out on.”

“I’m sure they’re great. Just not for me.”

“Try one.” I lift the container close to his face. “Come on. Just one.”

“No.”

“I’m not leaving until you try one.”

“I have patients to see,” he grumbles.

“And I have my own work to take care of, but I’m not leaving this office until you eat my cookie.”

His eyes snap to mine, and I replay over in my mind what I just said.Oh shit.I can feel my face flame with embarrassment. “My cookies. You have to eat one of my cookies,” I amend.

“Blakely.”

His voice is all growly and, I gotta be honest, sexy. He holds my stare for several seconds before his eyes go back to the container and then back to me.

“Please?” I ask, keeping my voice soft.

“Fine. I’ll eat the damn cookies. Will you please leave after that?”

“Yes.” I smile proudly. “Thank you for helping me yesterday.”

He reaches into the container and grabs a cookie, taking a big bite.

“Happy now?” he asks after he swallows.

“Almost.” I nod toward the remaining cookie in his hand. He rolls his eyes but pops the rest into his mouth. “See, that wasn’t so hard now, was it?” Placing the lid back on the container, I set it on his desk. “There’s plenty in case you wanted to share them with the staff,” I say before turning back to face him. “Do you likemy cookie? Cookies,” I correct quickly. Dammit, what is wrong with me today?

“Delicious,” he deadpans, but there is something in his eyes, a heat that wasn’t there before. Then again, I could just be imagining it as my embarrassment washes over me.

It’s not like I’ve made the best impression. Yesterday's meeting was a shit show. He doesn’t want to help me at all, and then last night, he had to. At least that tells me somewhere inside that sexy, grumpy exterior is a good man, one who’s willing to make good choices and do the right thing. Maybe he just needs a little encouragement, just like with the cookie.

Suddenly, I have a new agenda item on my to-do list. I’m going to make Dr. Grumpy love this holiday as much as I do.

“Well, I’ll let you get to your patients. Have a great day.” I offer him a bright smile before strolling out of his office.

I want to call Isla and tell her what happened, but that’s going to have to wait until I get home tonight. I have a full day ahead of me, and I need to confirm my aunts Palmer and Scarlett and Captured Moments can work the gala. My to-do list is seventeen miles long, and I have no business adding Dr. Grumpy and his lack of love for the holiday to it, but I just can’t help myself.

When I make it back to my office, I take the other container of cookies that I brought today and place them in the small break room in the administration office before getting to work.

CHAPTER

FOUR

Oliver

This has been the longest week of my life. It’s finally Friday at five, and all I want to do is go home, wash off this week, kick back with a cold beer, and relax. Instead, I’m just now sitting down at my desk to chart because it’s been that kind of week. Yesterday I was in surgery all morning, which also ran over and put my day behind. I hate it when I get behind… for me and for my staff.

Blowing out a heavy breath, I pull up the patient file I just finished with to chart the visit, and then move on down the list from the day. I need to read over each chart note to make sure they are complete before submitting them so I can go home. Sure, I can do this from home, but I don’t want to. I want to leave this week and work behind until Monday morning.

I’m fully engrossed in what needs to be done so I can get the hell out of here when a soft knock sounds at my door. Looking up, I find Kathy standing there.

“Just checking in before I head home. Do you need anything from me?”

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