The Christmas Grinch - Rebel Hart Page 0,35

eyes.

“You don’t?”

She stared at me for a moment, thinking it over. I could see the same panic I had been feeling creeping back up inside of her, spreading across her face.

“Okay, maybe I do,” she laughed nervously, throwing back more of her drink. “But not because...you know...I don’t want to or anything like that. Ugh, okay. I’m going to stop talking.”

“I like it when you’re all nervous and chatty like this,” I noted, taking in more of my drink as well.

We kept drinking and talking, just like we had done so effortlessly the night before. And after a while, our clothes came off just as easily. Everything with her felt so simple and fun. I didn’t have to put on any kind of airs or be perfect. I could just be myself, and the more she loosened up around me in return...the more I liked her.

I didn’t know where the hell this was going, but for the moment - I was really glad it was happening, whatever it was.

15

Hazel

I was quickly learning that the only thing that could somehow make the holidays even more grand and magical was to fall for someone in the middle of it all. I was on cloud nine over everything with Chris as I strolled to work, swearing to myself that all the lights on the streets and buildings seemed to twinkle a little brighter. The decorations looked even shinier. Everything had been dusted in a whole new fresh coat of exuberance that I didn’t even think was possible.

I pranced down the sidewalks, taking extra time to soak in each sight and scent, while waving and smiling at almost everyone I saw. Maybe I looked like a madwoman to some people, but it all felt too good to care.

Walking past a small gift boutique, something in the window caught my eye. I stopped and marveled at the small Christmas tree ornament dangling in front of me and thought about the first time we kissed at the Christmas tree farm. Maybe it had just been an accident, but that one moment led to everything else that was happening between us.

I marched into the store and emerged a few minutes later with the tree ornament wrapped with care in tissue paper and tucked away in a small box, gift wrapped to perfection with a ribbon and all. The perfect Christmas gift for Chris.

With the present in hand, I finally made it into the NonPareil headquarters and settled in behind my desk. I was still smiling as I slipped out of my scarf and coat, flopping them over the back of my chair. I was bright eyed and ready to work, feeling like nothing could possibly put a damper on the day. And when it was all over, Chris and I would have dinner together.

We had avoided “the talk” about what we were or what was happening between us. Putting words to it felt like it’d kill the buzz, I thought. What I did know for certain is that we were spending most nights together, ravaging each other in bed. And when we weren’t doing that, we were wrapped up in each other’s arms doing other normal things...like eating, talking, watching TV...Even the most ordinary things felt a little more special with him around. Just like Christmas, but in human form.

It all felt so natural and easy. And it felt like if we just kept sinking deeper into it, and we didn’t say anything, maybe it could go on forever.

After diving into my emails, Veronica and Joel came knocking on my door. They didn’t wait for much of a response before showing themselves in with huge smiles on their faces.

“Oh, I see you two are in a good mood,” I grinned curiously. “What brings you by?”

“We have great news,” Joel replied.

I shut my laptop and turned my full attention to them. “Do tell.”

“You’re free,” he shrugged, laughing a little. “You don’t have to worry about this Palmer guy or the article anymore.”

My brow furrowed. “What do you mean? What are you talking about?”

“Haven’t you seen it?” Veronica asked, pulling out her phone to hand over to me. “Look. Apparently when they announced that this would be the last year of the display, it sparked a whole outrage about the chain. People are calling out their declining sales and saying they’ve been out of touch for years. Everyone’s claiming the whole company is sinking fast, and of course everyone wants to blame Chris.”

“Not just blame him,” Joel added. “He