Page 8 of Merry Me Grumphole

Merry Christmas to me.

Change of heart. I don’t regret a damn thing about tonight. Before we get caught, I’m going to make sure she doesn’t either.

Gwen

I stare at my reflection with a frown.

A hickie. Riley sucked on my throat hard enough to leave a mark that is not going to be gone by the time we return to work.

What are we, teenagers?

Trailing my fingers against the mark, my face feels so warm as I take in the dark spot. Even if I am feeling a bit annoyed, I can’t help but get a flutter in my stomach. Dang it, the mark should not leave me feeling so freaking pleased.

We haven’t talked to each other since I had to call him an Uber. I haven’t had the time to apologize for basically taking advantage of a drunk man.

After hearing him confess so much…I couldn’t stop myself. I wanted to kiss him so badly. When I made the decision, I didn’t think we’d hide away in the supply closet during most of the party.

At least I managed to set up a date with the guy. I gave him a time, I’m hoping he remembered in his daze. If not, I already promised myself a hot cup of cocoa and some screen time with whatever Christmas movie I find first.

I’m trying to stay positive. Riley will show up on my doorstep in a timely manner. He’s not the type to be late. Even if he forgot the time, he has my number. Calling or texting isn’t something odd. Not any odder than making out in a supply closet.

Hopefully, we won’t act super awkward with each other the next time we see each other. He’ll be all sobered up for our next conversation. Even if the guy irks me and we poke fun at each other all of the time, he’s still my friend.

I don’t want to lose the guy because of a few heated, sloppy kisses. A greedy part on my end.

If he wants to pretend nothing happened, with a broken heart, I’d act to the best of my ability.

Taking a look outside, I watch all the snow fall from the sky. The way it’s coating the streets, I’m wondering if he’s even going to show up if hedoesremember the time I gave him. I wouldn’t, personally.

Who am I kidding? I drove out in messier weather than this to get him a cupcake.

Sighing under my breath, I try to enjoy having a white Christmas this year and move to get ready just in case.

* * *

Right on the dot, there are three knocks against my door. I’m quick to pull it open, unfortunately without letting a few seconds pass by to normalize my excitement.

Riley stares down at me, his lips pressed in a firm line. He’s wearing a scarf that looks extremely soft. My fingers are itching to touch it. He’s dressed for the weather, I’ll give him that.

“Come in, I’m almost ready.” Waving him inside, I’m quick to shut the door to keep out the winter air.

He’s been in my place a few times, less than I can count on both hands. Probably a good thing with the way he’s looking around.

My apartment is clean, just not to his standards.

“I didn’t think you’d show up,” I admit to him as I hunt down my thickest coat. Going to need many layers if I don’t want to freeze my butt off. Though, maybe something thinner can work too. I’ll need an excuse for why my body is shaking so much.

“I always hold up my end of our deals.” He’s looking at my Christmas tree with a few gifts beneath it. Unfortunately, unless he has a taste for dolls as my niece does, he’s not getting much. When he looks away, he still avoids looking at me.

Good to know he didn’t come because he wanted to reveal that he actually does feel the same way I do. A little part of my brain imagined that scenario simply because I love getting my hopes up.

The urge to roll my eyes is strong. Craving to give him a good shake, my strength to hold back is even more impressive.

“Right.” Finding my own pair of gloves, I head toward the door once more. “Let’s go look at some lights.”

And clearly not talk about what happened like grown adults. That’s fine. I’ve pushed down my feelings for him for a long time already. This is nothing.

He leads us to his car, already nice and warm. Man, even his car is nicer than mine. He’s gotten me beat in about everything. I won’t stroke his ego though. I’ll appreciate everything about him solely in my head from now on.

---