Page 31 of The Crush of Christmas Past
My walk down the bustling Main Street strip is a brisk one. I’m just a few feet from the bakery’s entrance when the toe of my boot catches on a loose cobblestone.
I stumble, yelping as my hands shoot out to brace for impact.
Before I can hit the ground, a strong arm wraps around my waist, anchoring me against something solid.
No—someonesolid.
“Careful,” a deep voice murmurs, his words coasting over the top of myhead.
My pulse skips as a familiar scent surrounds me. Woodsy and laced with the sting of winter’s chill, it carries a dark, intimate note that sinks through me.
Theo’s presence nudges against me in a way that’s both grounding and destabilizing.
“I’ve got you.” The words roll off his tongue and slip under my skin.
I shiver despite myself.
“Do I strike you as some swooning damsel who needsgetting?” As I elbow his chest to dislodge myself, my stupid knees decide this is the perfect moment to buckle.
The corners of Theo’s lips twitch.
“Never mind.” I groan, trying to save face. And my ass. “Don’t answer that.”
“I’m releasing you now,” he says, then contradicts himself by keeping us locked in place for a moment longer.
And then another heartbeat more.
When he finally steps back, taking his warmth with him, I instantly grieve the loss.
Silly Isla.
“You okay?” Genuine concern threads through his question.
“Yeah.” Straightening my shoulders, I focus on smoothing out the front of my coat. “Fine. Wonderful. Perfect.”
“Where’s Ash?” Theo asks, glancing around.
“With Sienna,” I blurt out before realizing how it sounds. “Not…uhh…cheating or anything,” I add, mostly for Asher’s benefit.
He lets out a cynical huff. “I’m sure.”
The weight of his scrutiny makes me feel itchy all over, so I dash off into the bakery without another word.
Holly greets me at the counter, wearing a friendly grin and holding out an envelope adorned with silver and white polkadots. She tops it off with a miniature Winter Wonderland cupcake.
I’m mid-bite when Theo appears beside me, just in time for her to hand him a matching treat. “Your girl has the clue,” she says, gesturing to me. “Good luck!”
I swallow, then raise a finger in protest. “Actually, we’re not—”
“Thanks,” Theo cuts in, flashing a warm, entirelyun-Theo-like smile her way before looking down at me. “Ready, partner?”
He plucks the envelope from my hand and strides for the door. I glare after him as the shop floods with other scavengers. By the time I weave through the crowd, he’s already outside.
And he’s…waiting?
“What is this?” I demand, stomping over.
Frustration propels me forward until I’m so close, the tips of our boots nearly kiss.
