Page 43 of The Grump

“How did that even happen? I thought you didn’t like the guy.”

“I didn’t in the beginning. But after he showed up at my house and helped me bag the pralines, I figured that he wasn’t a bad person. He just has a different perspective on things.”

She raised a brow. “Is he a good kisser?”

I nodded but decided not to share any more details with her.

Now she was grinning. “So, why didn’t you continue that last night? Don’t tell me he brushed you off. Although, he showed up with hot chocolate,” she said, clearly talking to herself more than me, “so that’s not possible.”

“I just don’t think it’s smart,” I confessed.

My sister let out a breath of relief and closed her eyes. “Thank goodness you’re saying that.”

“Why?”

“Because I was thinking the same thing. But it’s been a while since you’ve had any action, and I didn’t want to take the wind out of your sails.”

My stomach bottomed out. “So, you think it’s a bad idea, huh?”

“His family owns this place, and I know he wants to shut us down.” Her tone was gentle but firm.

“I know that. But heisa good kisser,” I countered.

“I wouldn’t totally condemn you if you threw all caution to the wind. Men have forgotten how to kiss these days. I’m not sure what happened.” She looked at me tenderly and added, “But he’s treating you nicely, isn’t he? What with the marshmallows and helping you at the house?”

“Yes, he is. I think we’ve misjudged him. He’s kind to his family, and he’s really cute with his niece. At the house, they spoke for more than an hour, and he was really paying attention. Most people just brush kids off.”

“Oh, sister, you really like him.”

“How is that a surprise?” I said, turning around and continuing to wipe the counter. “I wouldn’t kiss someone I didn’t.”

“This isn’t just a lapse of judgment, like ‘Oh, here’s this hot guy. Let’s test his kissing skills.’ You genuinely like Xander.”

I didn’t reply, not really knowing how, and Avery said, “I admire you.”

“For what?” I looked over my shoulder again, then returned to cleaning because she was too busy scrubbing a table.

“Basically turning him down. I couldn’t have done that. But out of the two of us, you’ve always been the stronger one. And you have a good head on your shoulders.”

Yes, I did, but where had that gotten me? And why did I suddenly want to be reckless and “throw caution to the wind,” as Avery put it? What had Xander told me, that he acted differently with me? Well, it seemed that the same was true in reverse.

“By the way,” Avery said. “Maybe we should start making a plan for expanding our online courses. In case this ends up being closed down or sold.”

“We should,” I agreed. “I already have some ideas.”

“So do I.”

Extending our online business would be an exciting endeavor. But I wasn’t ready to let go of the confectionery. It had become my safe haven.

After we finished cleaning, I cranked up the carols a little bit more. I also put a pot of mulled wine to simmer on the stove, which I planned to do every day from now until Christmas—obviously no alcohol. I mixed all the ingredients for the batter, tapping my foot to the rhythm of “Jingle Bells.” I had a playlist with about fifty Christmas songs, but I got excited every time one of the classics came on. They were just a vibe.

I checked the time on my phone and found an unread message. I knew it was from Xander before I even opened the app—I simply felt it—and I was right.

Xander: Morning. Someone brought hot chocolate for all the employees at the office, and it made me think of you. How was your evening? I hope you didn’t catch a cold.

I loved that he was checking in on me.

Bailey: I’m good. No signs of a cold. I’m just super tired because I couldn’t sleep.

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