Page 15 of Holiday Temptation

My heart races and my mind is a blur of emotions, everything from the night before compounding into one overwhelming moment. What if this meeting is the end of it all? The party, the late-night drives, the momentary closeness. The end of what could have been something more?

But one thing's for sure—I won't let Dominic see my vulnerability. I grab my notepad, and in a final act of silent defiance against the potential cancellation, I take my festive holiday coffee with me. The one with the candy canes and whipped cream, which Dominic had mistakenly gotten for himself the first time we met.

Walking to the conference room feels like an eternity. Each step is loaded with the weight of memories, fears, and the faintest glimmer of hope. I push open the door, bracing myself for the worst.

Inside, Mrs. Pearson sits with her usual stern expression. Papers neatly stacked in front of her, she glances up, nodding in acknowledgment. Then, my gaze shifts to Dominic. He stands near the window, sunlight streaming over him, highlighting his chiseled jaw and sharp features. Ugh, why does he have to look so good? Every glance at him is a reminder of what could be, but also of the clear message from last night: he wasn't interested.

Swallowing hard, I move to the opposite side of the table, placing my notepad and coffee down, avoiding direct eye contact. But as I'm about to pull out a chair, I feel his gaze piercing through the tension, settling on me. I chance a glance up, and there's an intensity in his eyes. It isn't the cold, distant look I'd expected. Instead, it's something warmer, deeper, and really damn confusing.

Dominic clears his throat, and I brace myself for the words I've been dreading. "Thank you both for joining on such short notice," he begins, his voice even, but with an underlying tone I can't quite place. "I've been doing some thinking. I've looked over the proposal Mrs. Pearson submitted last week regarding the holiday party," he says, nodding towards the head of HR.

Mrs. Pearson nods back, her expression unchanged. I take a deep breath, waiting for the axe to fall.

"And I've decided to decline it," Dominic continues.

My heart plummets, and the room seems to darken slightly. All my worst fears were coming to fruition. I grip the armrests of my chair, trying to maintain my composure. So, this is it then. The end of the party, the end of the small hope I'd nurtured.

But just as quickly, Dominic adds, "Because I believe we can do something... more."

I blink, trying to process his words. "More?" Mrs. Pearson echoes my thoughts, her usually stern facade cracking just a bit.

Dominic nods, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Yes. While the initial proposal was well-intentioned, it felt... restricted. We're one of the leading companies in the city, and it's about time we stepped up and showed that in our celebrations. I'm envisioning something grander, something that truly encompasses the spirit of Christmas."

My heart, which had been in freefall, begins to soar. I lean forward, hardly daring to believe what I'm hearing.

"I've already made some contacts," Dominic continues, "and we'll be sourcing everything from local vendors. The party will be bigger, brighter, more festive. I think it's important to not just include our employees, but their families too. Let's make this a real community event."

Mrs. Pearson is visibly taken aback. "That's... quite a change from your stance last week."

Dominic shrugs, the sunlight catching in his eyes, giving them an even more mesmerizing quality. "Sometimes, perspectives shift. And besides," he adds, with a pointed look at my holiday coffee cup, "I've been reminded of the importance of festive cheer."

My heart skips a beat. Was that a nod to our time together?

"But there's more," Dominic says, pulling me back to the present. "We're going to hold an auction as part of the festivities. All proceeds will support military families, ensuring they can also have a joyous Christmas. Everyone deserves that warmth, that connection, during the holidays."

A stunned silence fills the room. The weight pressing on my heart lifts, replaced by pure exhilaration. This wasn't just a party now; it was a statement, a testament to Dominic's growth, and maybe, just maybe, a sign of things to come for us.

Still, I play it cool, masking the hope and joy bubbling inside. But I can't help the smile that tugs at my lips or the warmth that spreads through me when our eyes meet again. In that moment, everything feels possible.

After discussing some of the logistics, the door clicks shut behind Mrs. Pearson, leaving just Dominic and me in the room. The lingering aroma of coffee seems to tie the room together, acting like a bridge between the wide expanse of table separating us. My fingers, slightly jittery from the day's roller coaster of emotions, play with the edge of my festive coffee cup.

Dominic sighs, ruffling his hair in a rare, unguarded moment. "Emily, about last night... I owe you an apology."

Surprised, I tilt my head, waiting for him to go on.

"The way I reacted was... well, it was awful. Darby’s comment caught me off guard. But that's no excuse. You've been this whirlwind of positivity since you walked into Grange Corp, and I... I've been pretty dense."

I can't help the tiny smile that creeps up, "You can say that again."

He grins sheepishly, "Yeah, I've noticed. Listen, after we left the lot, I had the tree we picked out delivered to my apartment. It's there, waiting. And I was wondering, would you... I mean, are you free to come over and decorate it with me tonight?"

It's so endearing, this side of him, and it takes every bit of me not to get carried away. "Dominic," I start, wanting to strike the right balance between hopeful and firm, "I'm thrilled about the tree. But I'm not just another ornament you can just pack away when you’re done. We're in this, whatever this is, together. No more running away, okay?"

He nods, a genuine smile forming. "Deal."

"Okay then," I say, finding that familiar optimism rising within me, "Tonight, it is. And just to warn you, I take my tree decorating very seriously."

He chuckles, "I wouldn't expect anything less."

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