Page 49 of UnLucky Christmas
“Does that answer your question?” he asks when our kiss slows.
“Yes,” I say breathlessly.
Suddenly I remember I’m supposed to be in the living room with the rest of my friends.
“I should probably get back out there,” I say.
He gives me a wicked smile. “I think you’ll have more fun in here.”
Heat surges through me. “Probably. Why don’t you come hang out with everyone?”
He shakes his head. “Nah, I don’t want to intrude. Those are my sister’s friends.”
“What about me?”
A faint smile lines his lips. “What about you?”
“Are we friends?” I ask.
“I’d say we’re getting there,” he suggests.
“Well, then we’ll make it official.” I hold my hand out to him. “Hi, I’m Whitney Cortland. It’s nice to meet you.”
An amused expression dances across his face as he grasps my hand. “Hi, Whitney. I’m Grant Williams. I’m not sweet, and I’m a grinch most days.”
“Yes, that’s obvious,” I reply. “I hope you’ll join us for cocoa and cookies in the living room.”
“I’ll consider it.”
“Fair enough,” I reply, prying my fingers out of his. “I’ll see you soon.”
I hurry out of the office and pull my phone out of my pocket. I hate lying, but I need to in this moment to explain my absence. And boy do I have a lot of explaining to do, starting with Macy.
* * *
“Is everything okay?”Macy asks when I return.
“Yes,” I say holding up my phone. “Sorry. I was talking to my sister-in-law about Christmas. Things are complicated with my family this year.”
Janelle’s eyes bore into me. She knows something’s up, so I intentionally avoid meeting her gaze.
I sit on the arm of the couch and purposely don’t return to my spot next to Chad. I need to slow things down with him, especially until I get a hold of whatever is happening between Grant and me. I guess we’re friends now, and clearly, we’re attracted to each other. Everyone is now discussing their favorite holiday memories. About ten minutes later, Grant joins us in the living room. He lingers in the entrance, but no one acknowledges his presence. I get the feeling they are used to him not engaging in the fun. We briefly make eye contact, and that’s enough to make me lightheaded after what transpired in Macy’s office.
“One of my most memorable was the Christmas we spent in New York,” Austin says. “I’d just met Macy’s family, and I was afraid Grant was going to put a hit out on me.”
Everyone laughs, including Grant.
“It may still happen,” Grant announces, giving a shrug. I know he’s kidding, but his normal tone makes him sound serious.
“Mom had to tell Grant to stop scaring you,” Macy says with a giggle.
Austin rolls his eyes. “I wasn’t scared.”
“Yes, you were,” Grant says, finally coming into the living room. And of course, he stands right next to where I’m still sitting on the couch armrest. Even being within a few feet of him makes me unsteady. This can’t be normal.
“And then we had a talk about your intentions with my sister,” he continues.
Austin laughs to himself. “This is a good story. Macy and her mom went to seeWicked, so Grant and I went out to dinner. He took me to this dark pub that was in a basement of an old building. I thought I was a goner for sure.”
