Page 6 of Starstruck with the Krampus

I snort. “It’s something. Is that the address?”

He pokes at his maps app and nods. “Yep. You sure you wanna go in there? Looks like it might go up in flames at any moment.”

“Work party,” I say, unclipping my seat belt. I hand him the fare and a nice tip, then add, “It’s my boss’ house.”

He gives me a commiserating nod. “Write me a review online before you go in, will you? Just in case.”

I laugh, take out my phone, and give him five stars. “Thanks for the ride. And Merry Christmas!”

He waves as he drives off, and I’m left alone at the end of the driveway. It’s pitch-dark outside, but the house gives off so much light, my shadow dances on the frosty ground. Someone has thoughtfully salted the path in front of me, so I make my way toward the front door. Music spills out of an open window, holiday tunes switching to a jazzy number as I reach the raised fire pit. The warmth of it is incredible, and I wonder if the witches did something to keep the flames contained. If not, this night might end in a disaster after all.

In the distance behind me, I think I hear that same rumbling car engine, so I turn to look behind me, but I only see an older couple coming up the driveway, heading for the house—more partygoers. Not wanting to be caught standing right in front of the door, I ring the bell, even though I’m not certain that anyone will hear me.

But the door swings open soon after, revealing Mr. Webber with a glass of eggnog in his hand. “Gianna, welcome, welcome, come right in. And Mr. Ramirez, Mrs. Ramirez, it’s so good to see you again.”

I’m ushered into the house, past a smiling Mrs. Webber who barely greets me and focuses instead on the couple behind me who seem to be much more important guests. I stop at the door to a downstairs office, which has been transformed into a cloakroom, and hand my coat and scarf to a bored-looking young man who gives me an actual chip with a number on it in return, like at the theater.

Then I follow the sounds of the party and emerge into a massive living room with a huge wall of windows facing the lit-up backyard. Several Christmas trees have been set up, each one decked in a different color. Garlands hang from every surface,big red baubles gleaming in the candlelight. It’s gaudy to the extreme, and all the twinkling lights are making my head ache.

It takes me a while to even notice the people. They’re everywhere, sitting on couches, standing by the blazing fireplace, milling around—and dancing. A large part of the living space has been cleared for a dance floor, and a live band is squashed into a corner, performing a cheery, jazzy dance number. I trace the line of a garland toward the tall ceiling and the chandelier hanging from it. It sparkles with golden light, bunches of mistletoe hanging from it, tied with red ribbons.

Right underneath it, I spot Stacy and her husband, Brian. They must have gotten a babysitter for their twin kiddos, because they’re wearing their best clothes, Stacy in a pretty green dress and Brian in a tux with a white shirt. They’re dancing, and as I watch, he bends her over his arm and dips her, then presses a kiss to her lips that she returns with enthusiasm. He rights her, and they laugh, their faces flushed with love.

A stab of jealousy takes me completely by surprise.

I gasp and turn away, embarrassed by my reaction. But the emotion isn’t geared toward Stacy. I don’t like Brian that way—he’s a great guy, but I don’t find him handsome as such. It’s more the way he looks at Stacy that I’m jealous of, like his entire world revolves around her.

I want that so much. To have someone whose face would light up every time he saw me.

My heart skips at the realization that this is exactly what I’m hoping for with Mr. Koch. It’s ridiculous, though. He’s older than me and would probably dismiss a wish like that as childish. But I know love when I see it—not only with Stacy and Brian but with my parents, who loved each other very much until Dad passed away, and my grandparents, who still hold hands on their daily walks.

The truth is, I came here dressed like a present to hook up with Mr. Koch. I wanted him to take me home and show me what he can do in bed. But I wantmorefrom him, and I don’t know if he’s prepared to give it to me.

CHAPTER 4

GIANNA

He’s not here yet, that’s for sure. I would feel him if he was—which also shows how deep I’ve fallen. If he tells me he doesn’t want the same thing I do, I already know I’ll be hurt. I’ve allowed myself to become too obsessed with him, even though he’s never led me on. If this all goes to shit, I’ll have no one to blame but myself.

I scan the crowd for another familiar face, but all I see are passing acquaintances, clients I’ve seen from time to time at the office but never worked for directly, or people from other departments. I don’t want to small talk, so I make my way toward the bar instead. I won’t drink much, because the last thing I want is to embarrass myself at a work event, but I need something to do so I don’t look too sad and lonely.

Before I can reach the small queue in front of the bar, however, Mr. Webber appears beside me, his pale face dotted with perspiration.

“Ah, there you are, Gianna,” he exclaims. “You vanished so quickly from the lobby.”

I hold back a frown. He barely said hello to me there, so why…?

“This is my son, Brandon.” He pushes forward a man about my age. “You two should dance!”

He gives me a wide smile, pats my shoulder again, and slinks away into the crowd, but not before I catch him giving his son a thumbs-up.

Yikes.

Webber Junior tears his gaze away from his father’s retreating form and rolls his eyes. “He’s been telling me about you for weeks,” he says, his voice cultured but bored. “I think Mother put him up to this matchmaking, and whenever Mother is happy, so is he.”

“Oh.”

I don’t know how to extricate myself from this embarrassing situation. Now that I’ve been left alone with the boss’ son, I wish I’d interrupted Stacy and Brian at their dance. That would have been less awkward for sure.

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