Page 24 of The Grump

I felt her words like a punch to the gut.

“But I didn’t want to make you feel even more guilty.” She winked at me. “So, let’s focus on the boxes.”

Fortunately, I was so bad at wrapping the pralines that I actuallyhadto focus on it. It had the pleasant side effect of taking my mind off Bailey. And as the evening went on, I realized something else.

“Working with my hands is actually relaxing,” I told her after we’d sealed two boxes.

“I know, right? It’s partly why I love this so much. And I happen to think that some of that energy goes into the pralines.”

That was a little too woo-woo for me, but she was so adorable that I didn’t contradict her.

“Why did you put separate batches into the same boxes?” I asked her. “Did you intend to mix them up?”

“Yes. Each box has a different selection of pralines.”

“Huh. I didn’t even realize until now. They all look the same from the outside.”

“Yes, that’s the point.” She was sitting next to me again, and her face completely lit up. “That way, people will never know what they’re going to get. I mix and match all the boxes. No two are the same. It’s a mix of cherries and pears, mint and banana. I try to keep track of all the favorites. They keep changing, which makes this so much more fun. Never a dull Christmas season.Isabeau and Celine actually mentioned mint and banana. I made a batch for myself and loved it.”

Her entire body had transformed in the past few seconds. She seemed open and relaxed and simply happy right now. Part of me was starting to understand the appeal of doing everything by yourself—it kept you from getting bored.

It was midnight by the time we finished. I couldn’t believe that she’d wanted to do this all alone. She probably would’ve been here until at least three o’clock.

“Xander, thanks a lot for staying with me. You really didn’t have to.”

“My pleasure.”

Was it my imagination, or was she blushing? Was her mind going to the gutter as often as mine?

As she walked me to the door, she swayed a bit. Probably from exhaustion, if I had to guess.

“Can you take the day off tomorrow?” I asked her.

“Why would I do that after we managed to pack up everything?”

“You’re bone-tired, Bailey. You should rest.”

“I’ll rest after the season’s over.” She looked down at her feet. “Hopefully not permanently.”

“Bailey—”

She looked up. “I don’t want to start this conversation. You said we’re fine for this Christmas season, and I’ll focus on that. I willnothave any Grinch energy in this house.”

I started to laugh. “Where exactly are you delivering all this tomorrow?”

“To your grandparents’ house, actually.”

“How come?”

“They take part in the open house tour on Christmas.”

“That’s true.” It was a big event in New Orleans.

“I’ve done the house tour, like, three times because it’s lovely. You were never there. I would’ve remembered.”

“Why? Because I’m such a Grinch?” I tilted my head. “Or have I impressed you in some way, Bailey? To make myself so memorable?”

Looking away, she licked her lips. “You LeBlancs are memorable,” she said far too quickly, which could mean that she was hiding something.

---