Page 41 of The Grump

I growled. “You keep saying that and I’ll kiss you right here in this alleyway for everyone to see.”

“Xander, there are kids around here.”

“One of the reasons why I haven’t done it yet.”

She tilted her head sideways. “What’s the other reason?”

I stopped walking, and so did she. “Last night, everything happened in a rush. I completely lost control of myself. I should’ve taken more time with you.” This was the gist of what had been on my mind since that moment in the kitchen.

“Well,” she said, “it was honestly one of the hottest... Never mind.”

“Tell me,” I said.

“It’s just that... we’re in a complicated situation.” She folded her arms over her chest but looked up at me. “You need to make a decision about you know what.”

“One thing doesn’t have to do with the other,” I assured her.

“It would feel strange for me. Besides, we’re so different. You know, you’re a Grinch, I’m not. You can’t deny that.”

I smiled despite the fact that she’d shot me down. I fucking liked this woman, but what she was saying made sense. And I always did what made sense.

“I’m not.”

“So yeah, that’s what I think,” she said. “I’m not sure this is a great idea.”

I looked at her intently for a few seconds, then nodded and stepped aside, opening her car door. “Then there’s nothing left for me to do than wish you a great evening.”

Her shoulders dropped as if she was disappointed. I sure was, but I didn’t say anything else. She told me how she felt about it, and I wasn’t going to pressure her.

“You too.”

Chapter Eleven

Bailey

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Avery was at the confectionery before me the next morning, but that was no surprise. I was running late.

“Morning!” I greeted her when I rushed in. “Mind if I turn on the carols?”

“Not at all.”

She was cleaning up the kitchen area. We’d left a bit of mess last night, but we’d both been too exhausted to clean up.

“I’ll put on my gloves and join you soon,” I promised.

“Thanks. I don’t feel good working when the kitchen isn’t—”

“Squeaky clean,” I finished for her. “I know.”

I immediately put on rubber gloves and pulled my hair up in a ponytail. Then I got down to business, spraying every counter and surface. We weren’t doing a deep clean, but I didn’t want to do a half-ass job either.

“How come you’re late today?” she asked.

“Umm... I had trouble sleeping last night.” I’d tossed and turned and tossed and turned for what felt like forever. The image of Xander with my car door open kept dancing in front of my eyes, teasing me. Clearly the man had been about to devour me. Why had I turned him down when my entire body was yearning for him?

My explanations felt silly, almost like an afterthought. I’d been tempted so many times to grab my phone and text him, but I knew that was ridiculous. Who would text anyone in the middle of the night?

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