Page 49 of Meet Me on Christmas Eve

I made a show of looking at my watch. “Oh, it’s later than I realized. Uh, I should probably head home now.”

His expression was stoic when he answered, “Well, I don’t have a sleigh.”

I felt a smile tugging at my lips as I forced myself to rise from the comfortable couch cushions. “I think we’ll manage. You don’t have to drive me home, just take me back to my car.”

I walked over to the wide windows and pulled the curtain back to look outside.

It was the kind of snow that glitters, like something out of a painting. But it was real, here, at—

“Like hell we are,” he growled, suddenly so close.

I jumped sideways. He was suddenly right behind me. I swallowed with some effort and then moistened my lips. “It’s beautiful out there.”

He gazed out the window for a moment, and then I saw his jaw clench as he turned back to me. “It looks like nearly two feet have fallen since we got here. You know the plows won’t be out yet.”

I opened my mouth, trying to think of a response. I mean, I had to go. What choice did I have? “Terry, it’s not the first time I’ve driven in snow. I’m a Minnesota girl. I’ll be fine, if you can just—”

“No.” He crossed his arms over his chest, the firm set of his jaw making me doubt myself. “The roads are probably shit. I won’t have you getting into an accident and, I don’t know, suing me. Isn’t that what people like you do?”

I reared back at the accusation. “You—you think I would …” I told myself to take measured breaths. He was just angry, for some reason, and lashing out. Why? I didn’t know. “I don’t know what you mean by ‘people like me,’ but no, I wouldn’t.” He just stood there with his arms crossed, an immovable wall. “I have to go, I don’t have any other choice—”

“You’re staying.” He didn’t break eye contact.

My eyes widened. “You don’t mean … I can’t stayhere. I mean, I could for a little while, but not for long—”

“You’re staying.” His voice carried a tone of finality.

I was silent for a while, contemplating my choices. Well, they were grim. Basically, I could either stay here or attempt to walk from here to my car, but I didn’t really know where I was, and walking in heavy snowfall didn’t sound like a great idea.

“It’s not your decision to make.” I glared at him. “I could … call a cab.”

He raised an eyebrow. “And put some innocent driver’s life at risk because you couldn’t just tough it out until the storm’s over and the plows have cleared it out?”

I spun around, needing to have some distance. As I paced, I said, “Fine. Bad idea. I’ll stay for a bit,” I snapped. “Happy?”

“I’m no happier than you are, Princess,” he said with a scowl.

“Then why … why not just take me home?”

“I told you, the roads—”

“I know, but … never mind.” I sighed, slowing my steps and turning to face him a few feet away. “I’ll stay out of your way. Or maybe the roads will be cleared soon. I’ll go look up the weather and road conditions on my phone.”

I went to sit on the couch and pulled out my phone.

And it didn’t look good. I put my phone down with a long exhale. “Heavy snow predicted through morning.” I looked up at him. “Do you have a spare room? If not, the couch is fine. I mean it, I’ll stay out of your way.”

He turned around to look out the window for a long moment, and the silence was painful.

I can’t believe I got myself into this mess. I shouldn’t even be here in the first place.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t even be here. I promise not to be a bother if—”

“Shhh,” he said, loud enough for me to hear even though he hadn’t turned around to look at me.

“I mean, why am I even here? We don’t even like each other. And on Christmas Eve of all days,” I said bitterly, remembering the one where he didn’t show up—where I was a goddamn fool for ever thinking he would.

He finally turned around and strode over to the couch. “Shhh,” he said again while holding out a hand to me. I stared at it, unsure what to make of this gesture. “Take my hand.”

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