Page 34 of Meet Me on Christmas Eve

His lips pressed into a thin line, and he shook his head as he looked past me for a moment. Then, his angry stare returned to me, stronger than ever. “I know you can’t stand me. You’re using me to get to her.”

I gasped. How the hell was I supposed to respond to that? I couldn’t argue with the fact that I didn’t like him. I certainly couldn’t say that Idolike him. And, well, the fact that I was using him—well, of course I was. That was always going to be pretty obvious, right? Yet I couldn’t just admit to it, could I?

When I hadn’t replied after a while, he crossed his arms over his substantial chest and raised his eyebrows. “You’re not even going to deny it?”

I inhaled and then exhaled slowly. I had no idea how to navigate this. Nothing in my MBA education or my years of experience running a business had prepared me for handling a professional situation involving my ex. Well, if I could even call him that, so brief our relationship had been. “I’m not sure what you want me to say,” I said. At least I was sort of being honest.

A flicker of surprise flashed through his eyes. He studied my face before making a huffing sound and looking away. “I thought you’d continue the ruse, I suppose.”

I winced. “There’s no ruse.” I paused, thinking about how to proceed. “My business intentions have been clear from the start. I haven’t been dishonest.”

“And me?”

I waited, hoping he’d clarify what he meant. I hoped he didn’t mean to ask …

“What were your intentions with me?”

I couldn’t stop the sharp intake of breath. “I …” What the hell? How am I supposed to answer that? I swallowed, trying to calm my racing heart.

Think, Mariana, think. Like a businesswoman, not a former lover.

“Terry, you’re an important stakeholder, being not only close to the business owner but also a valued employee. A valued contact. It was an obvious choice to try to reconnect with you.”

I tried not to shudder. Despite hearing how terrible the words sounded as I was saying them, I couldn’t seem to stop them. And when I saw his face, I died inside. “I … I mean …”

“No, I get it, Mariana. I’m just a dumb shop worker, but I understand. Sorry, I mean, stakeholder.” I didn’t think his face could show any more loathing if he tried. I had to look away.

Even I—being as emotionally closed off as I was—knew I had to do some damage control. I’d really messed up. “Terry, I didn’t mean—”

His posture rigid, he clenched his teeth and then looked at me with deadly calm. “As I said before, it’s not going to work. I don’t know if you think I’m going to convince Jane to sign over the village to you or what, but it’s not happening. Give it up.”

My mouth hung open, and I didn’t know whether to cry or rage, whether to mourn the loss of his potential help or the loss of … time with him.

Oh, no, no, no. Nope.

I can’t be falling for him again. I just can’t.

Especially not when he’s being such an asshole. He is, right? Or am I? Oh my god, I just don’t know anymore.

Oh, no, he’s staring at me. I need to say something. I opened my mouth to reply, but nothing came out.

He shook his head, his lips pressed together. “I mean it. Give up your sad attempt at getting on my good side.” He paused and then added, a bit more quietly, “You can just go on living your cushy life, ignoring me like you have since the day we last saw each other all those years ago.” His eyes widened slightly and he ran his fingers over his head as though he didn’t quite believe what he’d just said, but then he resumed his intense glare. He rose to his feet, as though the conversation were over and he might as well leave.

What?

Wow, he really went there.

I did not expect that. What did he have to gain from dredging up the past, wherehewas in the wrong? I closed my eyes to try to keep my thoughts from straying too far into the past. My voice slightly shaky, I looked up at him and said, “You keep saying that, but we both know that’s not what happened.”

“Oh, isn’t it though? You forgot me immediately, without so much as a ‘nice knowing you.’”

I stood then, fury rising within me. Hell no. I was definitely not going to let him get away with this. “I forgot nothing!Youare the one who didn’t respond, who didn’t meet me—”

He looked shocked and then even angrier. “Nice one, Mariana. Revisionist history doesn’t look good on you.”

“W—what are you saying?” I asked, my voice trembling along with my body. “Are you calling me a liar?”

His jaw tense, he shook his head. “Your words, not mine. I know what happened and how you … you never …” He stopped, wiping his brow. “Never mind. This is pointless.”

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