Page 109 of The Crush of Christmas Past
“Anyway, Holly offered her grandmother’s old place. It’s a one-bedroom in serious need of a deep clean, but the rent is super cheap. Plus, it’s right above the bakery, so I’ll have unlimited access to cupcakes.” I try for a joke. “Think how much you’ll save on delivery fees.” A lump rises in my throat, bringing with it the bittersweet taste ofgoodbye.
“You know I’d gladly deliver those cupcakes to the ends of the earth for you, right?”
I’m too busy trying not to overthink the statement to reply.
“It sounds like a solid plan, Isla.” His words ring with sincerity, and the look he gives me is drenched in so much pride and admiration I don’t know where to put it all. “I’m happy for you.”
“That’s why I can’t…”Get distracted.
I don’t have to finish the sentence—the message lands.
“I hate that this work emergency threw off our timeline,” he says. “The clock ran out before I could make things right.”
He reaches for me again, fingers threading through my hair to pull me closer. His grip is firm. Almost desperate. “The deadline is here—days sooner than I thought—and I can’t leave without you knowing what we are.”
“What are we?”
“Not fucking done.”
“Theo…”
“Isla.”
I should hate the confident way he claims my name.
Instead, the sound drips down my spine like warm honey.
“The firm is throwing a New Year’s Eve party. Technically, it’s a product launch—but even if we pull the plug, we’re still going through with the event. Might be the last bit of fun we’ll be allotted before facing the storm of our toughest quarter yet. Come. Meet my partners and our team. You might make some connections that can help in this next phase of your career.”
“Theo—”
“You’re invited as a guest. Not my—” His jaw flexes as he cuts himself off. “No strings. Just networking.”
The offer dangles between us. A professional opportunity wrapped in a personal complication.
“I can’t.”
“Can’t?”
“Shouldn’t,” I clarify. “I need time. And space. To figure myself out.”
“Understood,” he says, his features settling into that calculated calm he wears so masterfully. “It doesn’t have to be this New Year’s Eve. The offer doesn’t have an expiration date. It’ll wait.Iwill wait.”
His thumb drags along the curve of my neck, fingers tightening slightly. Then, with a muttered curse, he lets go and takes my hand instead. “I lost you once. I’m not making that mistake again. We can take it slow. Hell, we can crawl. But I’ll be here.”
“In Sugarpine Springs?” I attempt to keep my tone light, but the question draws blood.
Theo flinches. “No, but—”
“Ican’t,” I whisper. Repeat it to my hammering heart, too.
If I let myself want this—want us—I’m not sure I’ll be strong enough to lose him again.
As if on cue, his phone lights up.
He ignores it.
“New Year’s Eve. Just promise me you’ll think about it.”
