Page 48 of UnLucky Christmas
“Yes.”
“So, you regret kissing me?” he asks, lowering his voice. “Because it didn’t seem like you did at the time.”
I tighten my jaw.
“Well, you kissed me back.”
He slides closer to me, his body now inches from mine. I tilt up to look at this face. His familiar scent is absolutely intoxicating, and it’s taking every ounce of strength I have not to react to his close proximity.
“Maybe.” He pauses and takes a step back. “But you like Chad, or at least you’re trying to convince yourself that you do.”
I open my mouth to speak just as Janelle returns to the kitchen. She freezes and immediately apologizes.
“It’s fine,” Grant says, his tone serious. “We’re done here anyway.”
He walks out of the kitchen, leaving me confused and frustrated.
“Sorry,” Janelle apologizes. “What did I walk in on?”
I’m about to tell her what Grant said just as Macy returns and interrupts us. We abandon our conversation and help her set up a tray of hot cocoa and cups.
We all finally sit down in the grand living room, drinking hot cocoa and eating cookies next to the tree. Holiday music fills the air, and it could literally be a scene from a movie. Chad is sitting next to me with one arm stretched out behind me on the top of the couch. I’m trying to be engaged in the ongoing conversation, but my mind feels like it’s a million miles away.
I overheard Macy tell Austin that Grant is in her office, and she was going to leave him be. I guess the fact he came ice-skating satisfied her enough for the evening.
In the middle of one of Austin’s college stories, I excuse myself to get a glass of water. Just as I’m about to return to the living room, my heart starts pounding against the walls of my chest. Without a second thought I throw caution to the wind and head to Macy’s office.
Grant is sitting at the desk typing on his laptop. I walk toward him and put my hands on my hips defiantly.
“I just wanted to say I may have initiated that kiss, but you were just as into it as I was.”
He doesn’t look up from his screen. “Whatever you say.”
I growl. “You’re so irritating—you know I’m right.”
He lets out a sigh and closes his laptop then stands up.
I keep my hands on my hips as he moves closer to me. I even stand on my tiptoes to make myself feel taller. We’re at a standoff once again, and my heart is pounding.
“Why are you in here, Whitney?”
I press my lips together as I try to think of a clever answer. “I don’t know.”
That’s the only thing that comes to my mind.
Without saying a word, he reaches for my waist and pulls me toward him, clasping his hands behind my lower back. I place my hands on his chest to attempt to push him away, but that doesn’t last long, and I almost immediately give up.
He moves his head down to whisper in my ear.
“You should decide what you want.” His warm breath sends a shiver down my spine. “I won’t be second choice to Chad.”
My hands have moved to his biceps. His lips are now almost touching mine, and he starts talking. “And you’re right, I was into that kiss. I enjoyed every second of it.”
He pulls away leaving me dizzy. “I’m sure someone’s waiting for you.”
I turn to walk out of the office, but something stops me. “Do you want me to leave?”
I feel him come up behind me and take my hand in his. He turns me around and takes my face in his hands, bringing his mouth to mine. He kisses me this time, as his hands move from my face to my hair and down my back. The kiss is just as good as I remember—so I didn’t imagine it.
