Page 37 of A Holly Jilly Christmas

I smile and kiss him like I’m trying to test the limits of his strength, all the while hoping he’s strong enough for the next time I push him away—or maybe that I’ll finally learn to walk away from the big, red button.

CHAPTER 12

We decide to have one last breakfast at Mari’s diner. Which is mostly for my sake since Case is still eating his boring but bowel-friendly foods. Which reminds me …

“I didn’t ask last night about the mac and cheese.” He just stares at me blankly. “You know, if you could eat it with your IBS.”

Case rolls his eyes, but there’s a tiny smile there. “It’s adorable that you’re worried about me. Traveling means I have to go with the flow a bit since I don’t always have control over my food choices. It was delicious—other than the burned bits—and I took some medicine after just in case. I’m of the opinion that mac and cheese is always worth it.”

“You’re a cheese man, huh?”

“Never met a cheese I didn’t like. As for whether my stomach likes them, well, it doesn’t always get a say. What about you?”

“I like cheese—I’m not a monster—but I’m more of a chocolate woman.”

“Noted.”

The conversation goes like this—playful, fun, seasoned with laughter. We’re getting to know each other but in an easy way. I think I could talk to Case forever. Which is one more shocking thing I’ve discovered about him. His quick wit in conversation. Totally my weakness.

I love good biceps or abs or a winning smile as much as the next woman, but for me, there is nothing like a man who can spar with words.

“I’ll be right back,” Case says, sliding out of the booth. “Don’t try to pay for this, Jillian. I’m leaving my card right here.”

“Fine.”

Normally, I’d protest. At least a little. I do like a man who offers to treat, so long as I can return the favor. But not knowing how much Tina’s bill will be … I’ll happily ride the free breakfast train.

Case’s phone, which he left next to his wallet, lights up with a text. Then another.

Would it be snooping if I turned his phone around and read the previews? Absolutely!

Is it snooping if I read them upside down just in the few seconds the screen is illuminated? I mean … technically? Ish? But all the cop shows I watch have me thinking that this is in plain sight. It’s fair game.

And while I’m still wading through this moral quandary, another text arrives. It’s David, our boss, and so were the first two.

I don’t have time to read everything before the screen goes dark, but what I do see makes me grab onto the edge of the table, my breath coming in fast bursts.

Maybe it didn’t mean …

Maybe if I saw the rest of the message …

Maybe it’s not what it looks like?

Because what it looks like is that David is checking in with Case, asking for a full report the minute he’s not with me anymore.

It’s amazing how quickly those worries and worst-case scenario things come flooding into my head. I only wish the book my brother gave me had a chapter dealing with what to do if you think your new (maybe?) boyfriend slash work colleague is spying on you for the boss.

I’m right back to the fears I had at the start of the trip about Case getting in the way of me leveraging this for a raise. I remember him being glued to his phone, but being secretive about it and changing the subject. The first night I put together a whole presentation, leaving gaps for what we’d hear from Tank on the tour and then anything else I needed to research. I was planning to finish it over the holiday so I can present it to David the day we get back.

But if he wants a report from Case the minute he’s not with me …

“Still haven’t paid?” Case asks, glancing around. He grabs his card. “I’ll go up to the counter. They’re pretty busy.”

I’m glad he didn’t pause for another second to see how I’m still white-knuckling the table. Partly because I need stability and partly because I don’t trust my fingers not to grab the phone and illuminate the screen. Right now I’m still at plausible deniability for invading Case’s privacy.

The phone lights up again.

David: Can’t wait to hear how you survived. We’ll get drinks and discuss man to man …

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