Page 51 of All I Want For Christmas Is You

As soon as she got dressed, she’d do the same thing.

When Margot felt confident, she walked with a swing in her hips like a boss bitch. This morning, though, as she headed down the hallway for breakfast, she felt sluggish, and all she wanted to do was crawl back into bed and feel sorry for herself.

But she wouldn’t do that. Nobody had done anything wrong here. Beau hadn’t “used” her. Just the opposite—he’d been nothing but good to her. If she was hurt that he didn’t say goodbye, that was on her.

In any event, it was over. She’d never see him again.

And as far as the future, she could forget hookups. I’m not cut out for them.

But as soon as she hit the lobby, she stopped thinking about it at all. Something was wrong. People milled about in anxious clusters, and a line had formed at the check-in desk. Every luggage cart was loaded and lined up against the front door.

All at once, it all fell into place. The power outage last night, the chill this morning: the lodge was running off generators. She looked for a familiar face to ask what was going on, but everyone was busy handling guests.

She needed to find her aunt and see how she could pitch in. Foregoing her usual morning latte, she moved through the crowd, picking up bits and pieces of conversation.

This can’t be happening.

The roads are closed. What’s a rental car going to do for us?

We’ve already checked out. Where are we supposed to sleep?

She spotted her aunt near the concierge desk, but before she reached her, she’d picked up a microphone.

“May I have your attention?” Her aunt’s voice came out of the lobby speakers. “Hello?” When the uproar barely subsided, her petite aunt shoved two fingers into her mouth and let loose an eardrum-shattering whistle.

The crowd quieted immediately.

“Good morning. As you already know, last night’s blizzard shut down the airport and the roads. North Carolina’s not set up for snowstorms of this magnitude, and our driveway’s private, so we won’t be getting help from the county.”

“But tomorrow’s Christmas,” someone called.

“I know.” Her aunt spoke with compassion. “And while I can’t promise to get you home in time to open presents, I can assure you we’re taking care of everything on our end as expeditiously as possible. If you’ve already checked out and find yourself with nowhere to sleep, don’t worry. No one’s checking in, so you can go back to your room. We’ve got generators and plenty of food and drinks, so the restaurant will continue to serve your meals. If you have any questions, my manager, Rodrigo, will be standing by.” The man standing beside her raised his hand and waved. “Be kind to him and be patient. This isn’t his fault. It’s an act of nature. Breakfast is being served in the restaurant and the coffee bar as usual. Okay, carry on.”

Had Beau gotten out in time? When exactly had they closed the roads?

I can’t be snowed-in with him.

Can you imagine?

Faced daily with the man who’d snuck out of her bedroom? Who’d rather chew off his own arm than say goodbye?

She knew she was being over-the-top, and it might’ve been funny except… She had to admit she felt humiliated. She’d gone all-in with him, shared everything, including her body. If the situation had been reversed, she would never have walked out without leaving a note or kissing him on the cheek and whispering, “Bye, handsome.”

She didn’t want to see his awkward smile or engage in phony conversation, all the while pretending she hadn’t sucked him down her throat.

Was there even an ounce of hope he’d made it out before they shut down the roads?

Her question was answered when something caught her eye. She couldn’t say whether it was the shape of him or just his stature—his height and broad shoulders certainly made him stand out—but there he was, sitting calmly in a leather club chair. He had his phone in both hands, elbows on his knees, as he stared right at her.

She froze. If she didn’t owe her aunt everything, she’d run back to her room, lock the door, and dive under the covers. She was too flustered, too confused.

I don’t need this in my life right now.

But she did owe her aunt. So, she had to ignore him.

I can’t talk to him right now.

Besides, it would be busy at the lodge.

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