Page 34 of Christmas Kisses

She’s interrupted by the trill of the hotel’s landline.

I point at her in warning that our conversation isn’t over, before I answer the call. “Hello?”

“Mr. Kringle?—”

“Please call me Zane,” I beg. “Especially at this time of year.”

The receptionist at the hotel giggles before addressing me as requested. “Zane, the baker you’re expecting has arrived.”

“Great. Send her up, please.”

When she hums in approval of my request, I disconnect our call as the buzzer at my suite rings.

Damn, that was quick.

My strides to the door double when I recall Kelsey’s interview should have ended by now. Maryann was beside herself when I let drop that I was looking at investing in a new stockbroking firm when I called to cancel Harrold’s yearly reservation with my company.

She admitted she had been trying to poach Kelsey from Black Industries for years and wondered if she could be persuaded to return to a corporate role for a senior position with Marigold’s.

I warned her that she’s probably too late—Kelsey’s determination is unyielding when it comes to her goals—but that there was only one way for her to find out. She had to call Kelsey and ask.

Kelsey seemed excited to have been offered an interview, so I’m interested to learn if she accepted their proposal or if she’s going to continue forging ahead with plans that have been at a stalemate the past two years.

I’ll call her for an update as soon as I’ve let Noelle in.

When I open my front door, the person on the other side isn’t who I’m anticipating. I only glanced his way for two seconds yesterday afternoon, but not even the hideous cut of his tailored suit can conceal his identity.

Why the fuck is Kelsey’s ex standing outside my apartment?

“Peter…” I have to force his name out of my mouth, not to mention the rest of my greeting. “What are you doing here?”

I’m given an answer by Casey, who has just picked up my phone, instead of the douche across from me. “It’s Emma. She said it’s urgent. Something about the refund you processed this morning.” Casey stops halfway into the entryway when she notices Peter. Her brows furrow as she mumbles to herself, “I thought Mom hired Noelle to make her cake?”

“She did.” I offer an introduction I’m confident Peter doesn’t deserve. “Casey, this is Peter, Kelsey’s ex. Peter, this is Casey, my sister.”

“Oh… shoot,” Casey whispers heavily before diverting her focus to my cell phone squashed to her ear. “He’s going to have to call you back.” As she returns to the kitchen, I hear her say, “He’s talking to Kelsey’s ex. Kelsey… the woman he’s…”

I wait for her words to fade into silence before I focus on Peter. He looks angry. Good. His devastation might be the only way I’ll keep my fists balled at my sides. I’ve witnessed a ton of sly tactics when a relationship ends, but his antics are by far the worst.

“Ex? You introduced me as Kelsey’s ex?” he says, unearthing the reason for the downfall in his mood.

“Yeah. That’s how it generally works when you cheat. They become your ex, and you become theirs.”

“I didn’t cheat.” He has absolutely no class when he spits out, “Fingering someone isn’t cheating.”

“Uh, yeah, it is. But I don’t have time to discuss the semantics of cheating with you. I have a wedding to prepare for…” I stop just before I say,And lingerie to peel off a woman way out of your league.

I usually handle the exes of my clients with more professionalism. It’s understandable that I’m mixing things up this time since Kelsey isn’t my client.

“If you want to talk to someone about it, I have a ton of shrinks on standby. I’ll have my assistant forward you their details.”

“Along with the fifty K you owe me since I’ve changed my mind?”

I chuckle in disbelief. “I owe you fifty K?” When possessiveness flares in his eyes as he nods, I spit out, “If that’s all you think she’s worth, you are way off the fucking mark.”

The fees from the clients Emma canceled this morning so I can delay my departure of Ravenshoe for a few more weeks were four times that amount, and it still isn’t close to Kelsey’s worth.

She’s priceless.

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