The Christmas Grinch - Rebel Hart Page 0,27
in reality.
“So, it’s his family’s Christmas party,” Margo said as we browsed the first boutique with champagne flutes in hand.
“Yes...except his family...well, they’re the Palmers. So their Christmas party is a full blown ball.”
“And you’re going as friends?” Payton asked.
“Yes,” I answered slowly.
I ran my hands down a silver embroidered gown hanging on the rack, avoiding their expressions. But they had moved in on either side of me and were both glaring, showing no signs of letting up until I faced them.
“What?” I groaned. “Stop looking at me like that.”
“Something happened between you two,” Payton grinned.
“No. Nothing happened,” I insisted weakly.
Margo placed her hands on both of my shoulders and pushed me down onto one of the velvet sitting benches, leaving them both towering over me.
The shop girl tried to return with a size I asked for, but Margo quickly cut her off. “Not now!”
She immediately turned around and vanished into the back of the store. I was all on my own now.
“Ms. Malone. Can you please explain to the jury how it is you have come to know one Mr. Chris Palmer?”
“Oh god,” I buried my face in my hands.
“You’ve sent her into full blown lawyer mode,” Payton shook her head.
“Answer the question please, Ms. Malone.”
“I wrote an article on him,” I sighed, giving into her game.
“And would you say the article was good or bad?”
“Bad. Very bad.”
“And then how did your relationship with Mr. Palmer go? In light of the bad article.”
“We made an agreement,” I started to explain. “Come on, Margo. Do we really have to do this? People are staring.”
“May I remind you that you are under oath.”
“No, I’m not. You never…,” I stopped with the death glare she sent blazing in my direction. “Ugh, fine.”
The questions went on and on, one after another reviewing everything that had happened between me and Chris since the moment we met. Until she got to last Friday night…
“And at your father’s tree farm, you and Mr.Palmer disappeared frequently alone together, did you not?”
“Yes, we did. Will you just get to the point already!?”
“And on any one of those occasions...did you or Mr.Palmer initiate anything physical or intimate in nature?”
“Alright! We kissed! There! Are you happy!? It was a freaking accident! Okay!? I didn’t mean to and I don’t think it meant anything.”
“And following this kiss...you were invited to meet his family?” she raised her brows.
“It’s not like that!”
Margo slipped away, digging in a nearby rack for a moment before reappearing with a new dress in hand. “I believe this is perfect for the occasion.”
Payton’s and my eyes grew wide at the sight of the emerald green sparkling gown she held up in her hand. An ornate lace trimming lined the off the shoulder neckline, followed by miles of satin and velvet with beautiful sequin patterns that gave it a regal look.
“You would look absolutely amazing in that,” Payton gaped.
“It’s sexy, for him...and for you,” Margo explained. “But also impressive and modest enough for his family. You know, in case they become your future in-laws.”
“How many times can I say it’s not like that!?” I shrieked. “I don’t even like Chris Palmer. I can barely stand him.”
“Yeah, give her a break,” Payton defended. “When I can’t stand someone, I usually kiss them and meet their parents.”
“No, now you’re just describing married life,” she quipped, holding the dress out for me to get a closer look.
I traced along the beads and lace, trying to imagine what Chris’s face would look like when he saw me in it. It was pricey, but he did say to buy whatever I needed.
“Well...what do we think?” the shop girl asked.
A big smile spread across my face. “I’ll take it.”
I was still in disbelief as I watched her carry it away to bag it up. My life really was turning into a Christmas fairytale. If it weren’t for the fact that my “Prince Charming” and I were more like arch nemeses than we were lovers.
12
Chris
I waited in the lobby of Hazel’s building, trying to remember if I had ever once invited someone to attend the Palmer Christmas Gala with me before. The verdict, after a few minutes of racking my memories, was - No. And why had I done it this time? That would take much more thought than I had time for at that moment.
Suddenly, the elevator dinged and I turned just in time to see the doors sliding open, revealing one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen behind them.
Hazel had transformed