Page 45 of The Office Games

“Why would you ever think that?”

“You took all your stuff out of my suite.”

“No, Georgia bribed me with free dry cleaning and luggage steaming when she saw what I’d gotten you for Christmas. She demanded to test it out for herself or threaten to ruin the surprise.”

“That doesn’t sound like—” I pause; it sounds precisely like Georgia.

“What about the note on the fridge?” I say.

“You said you wanted me to start acknowledging the holidays more, regardless of whether I liked them or not.” He smiles. “That’s me trying.”

“Oh.”

“Yes,oh.” He laughs.

“About all the stuff you said a few minutes ago, can we go somewhere private and discuss that over lunch?”

“Sure.” He pulls me against his chest and presses his lips against mine. “After we go back up to our suite for a while…”

TWENTY-ONE

TARYN

A few nights later

My family is beyond smitten with James, so much so that tonight is the first night we’re returning to the room before midnight. They’ve been keeping us awake until the wee morning hours with our endless traditions and estate tours, but he hasn’t complained at all.

“Can I ask you something, James?” I follow him onto the balcony.

“Anything.”

“Were you planning on giving me a promotion for Christmas?”

“After you blatantly disregarded my demand about coming to work?” He shakes his head. “Hell no, and we’ll talk about your future at Magnolia Marketing later.”

“Sounds like you’re threatening to fire me.”

“Quite the contrary,Miss Stone.” He kisses my forehead. Then he pulls a shiny sage box from his pocket. “Merry Christmas.”

“I can't accept it yet.” I shake my head. “I didn't get you anything.”

“You gave me a reason to never fall asleep when you’re driving.”

“I’m not that bad.” I push his shoulder. “Can you give me a week to find something for you and then we’ll exchange?”

“No. Open it now.”

Pulling the black string, I lift the top.

“Keys?”

“To your much needed new car.” He smiles and presses the button.

A beautiful dark grey Mercedes chirps from right below our balcony.

Too stunned to say a word, I stand on my toes to kiss him, and he wraps his arms around my waist.

“You have an appointment with a specialist in the morning,” he says. “He’s going to personally show you all the features.”

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