Page 32 of Blame It On The Reindeer

“Your steering wheel is going to fall off if you grip it any tighter,” Brody said, nodding to my death grip.

“That’s for me to worry about.”

“I beg to differ. If you rip the steering wheel off, the car crashes and we both could get hurt. Or worse, die.”

“Yeah, well, sometimes sacrifices have to be made.”

I didn’t bother to look at him as he chuckled in the passenger seat beside me. I pulled into the driveway and waited for the garage door to open before pulling in and parking. Brody didn’t ask before he opened the other back door and began helping me take in all the stuff I’d brought home to work on for Frosty Fest.

I held the garage door open with my hip while allowing him to go past me since he had his arms full of boxes that were likely blocking his view.

“There’s an island in front of you. You can set everything there,” I said, flicking the light switch on so he could find it easily.

I set down the bags I was holding and shook my arms, trying to get the feeling back in them.

“It’s only one night, but we may as well get the whole house tour thing over and done with,” I said, nodding for him to follow me. “This is obviously the kitchen and living room. That hallway leads to the bedrooms and bathrooms, and that way is the front door. You’re welcome to head that way at your earliest convenience.”

He chuckled under his breath and followed me down the hallway.

“This is the guest bedroom where you’ll be staying. There are extra linens in the closet. The guest bathroom is across the hall. I don’t have any manly stuff, but you’re welcome to help yourself to whatever you need. Extra toothbrushes and soap are in the cabinet.”

“What’s down there?” he asked, pointing to the other doors that were closed.

“One is my office and the other my bedroom. Both are off limits.”

I turned and walked off, not giving him the opportunity to ask any more questions.

“I have a lot of work to catch up on, so I’m not making dinner. I’ll order pizza, but if you want something else, you can order your own food.”

“Pizza works for me. And I’ll pay since I’m crashing here tonight.”

“I don’t need you to pay for my pizza.”

He was in my space again, so close I could smell the faint scent of his soap.

“I never said youneededme to do anything. I said I would pay for dinner. It’s my way of saying thank you for allowing me to stay here.”

“Oh, so you do have manners. They’re not as frequent as they should be, but it definitely seems like we’re making progress.” I cocked my head to the side and planted my hands on my hips.

“I told you to stop doing that,” he warned, pointing to my hands.

“And I told you to stop telling me what to do. You’re not the boss of me.”

“Don’t push me, Jasmin.”

I covered my mouth as I gasped dramatically.

“Oh my God! Youdoknow my name!”

“Yeah, it’s better than calling you Crazy Boot Lady.”

My eyes widened as I stared at him.

“That’swhat you’ve been calling me?”

“Not to your face,Princess.”

“You know what, maybe I’ve changed my mind about letting you stay here.”

---