Page 18 of Their Christmas Miracle

In that moment, I realize it isn’t. The roughness of his voice, the wariness in his eyes…

He’s fucking hot for me.

That boner of before wasn’t for his stuffy forms or thoughts of spreadsheets and long-distance phonecalls with China.

It was for me.

Me.

“Sure.” I manage to sound glib, despite the blood roaring in my ears. “But not if I crop it just right.”

He frowns. Then he gives me a confused smile and shifts back a few inches in the seat.

I put our glasses down, find my phone after a few seconds of searching, and open the pic. I manipulate it in my photo app for a few seconds, glancing up at him through my lashes. He’s watching me, but like a zombie trying to figure out if my brains are worth the effort of getting to them.

“See?” I twist the phone’s screen to him.

He looks down. That frown deepens. And then his face slips into abject horror.

“Holly, no.”

“Oh, Josh, yes,” I say, giggling at the sight of that horrified expression. “Cool, huh?” I look at my masterpiece. “Kinda looks like we’re naked, right?”

And it did. I’d cropped the photo just right — my vest and cardigan had slipped off my shoulder, like they tended to, and at the angle I’d been holding the phone, the shot ended just above Josh’s neckline.

In the picture, Josh didn’t look shocked or confused or awkward. He had a small, secretive smile on his face. I guess I just took the photo at the exact right time.

The phone goes back into my pocket, and I hoist up the glasses.

“Bottoms up,” I say.

He takes his with unsteady fingers, eyes unfocused and lips parted. I clink the glasses, tapping my finger against the bottom of his until he tips it back.

Grimacing, Josh puts his glass down and gives me a nod. “Now delete it.”

I snort at him, leaning into the seat’s plush cushion as I lace my fingers over my stomach.

“You kidding?” My eyes run down him, and I flash him a deep smile when I’ve finally made my way back to those wide eyes of his. “This shit’s gold. I could get you to do anything.”

I let the word out slowly, lifting my hand and bringing it to my mouth. I end off biting at the tip of my nail.

For some reason, Josh looks like he’s about to pass out.

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