Page 28 of Sincerely Not Yours

Gigi: I don’t have the best guy-radar, and I’ve been in his bathroom for way too long! Better get going.

Paige: Keep us updated!

Alice: Kiss him, PLEASE!

With a sigh, Gigi stuffed her phone back in her pocket, unsure if she wanted to wrap herself around Harris or run out into the snowstorm. Paige’s comments reminded Gigi of her last relationship, and the disaster that had been. She’d been in love—or so she thought—with Keith. That was until he’d broken up with her on Valentine’s Day, leaving her alone at a fancy restaurant, amongst a sea of gushy couples. He’d also left her with the bill, after taking his meal to go.

He was a jerk. And she’d thought she loved that jerk.

In hindsight, she’d always made excuses for Keith. In their three-year relationship, they’d broken up twice, and he’d wormed his way back into her life with smooth words thatnever aligned with his actions. He’d stolen her time when it was convenient for him, and she didn’t see that until he broke her heart for the last time.

But that’s what love did, right? It blinded people to pitfalls. And Gigi wanted to see clearly. She couldn’t get wrapped up in some fantasy. Who was she kidding? She didn’t know Harris well enough to chance heartbreak. Or worse. She couldn’t risk the turmoil in her workplace. He was her boss. No matter how much she liked him . . .

There would be NO KISSING.

After walking back into the kitchen, Gigi went to the gorgeous, six-burner gas stovetop and stirred the fragrant, simmering soup. She turned the burner down to low and was going to clean up, but Harris had beat her to it. He’d washed the cutting board and knives. The island was wiped down.

“Want to watch a movie?” Harris stood between a lush beige couch and an ottoman, remote in hand. The massive TV, which hung on the wall, flickered as he clicked past news and commercials, hesitating when “White Christmas” streamed through the speakers. On the screen, Michael Bublé crooned into a microphone, backed by a band and stage.

Gigi’s heart raced at the thought of snuggling up on the couch with Harris, enjoying the Christmas special or watching a movie, but she quickly pushed the thought aside. Wanting to avoid another Harris-trance, she suggested the first thing that came to mind. “Actually, I was thinking we could decorate your house.”

He glanced at her, raising his eyebrows. “Decorate?”

“Yeah, you know, add a little Christmas cheer to your place,” Gigi replied, trying to sound casual. The soup needed an hour to simmer, and Gigi wanted something to do. Curling up on the couch with Harris sounded like the gateway drug to everything she was trying to avoid. “You’ve been so busy, you haven’t had time to get a tree or decorate. I can help with that.” His housewas pristine, but Gigi had yet to discover a single holiday bauble. Maybe Harris hadn’t brought any decorations from his place in New York?

“I don’t usually decorate for Christmas,” Harris admitted. Muted TV light flickered across his face.

“What do you mean?” Gigi blinked at him, not understanding. Her apartment had been blasted with Christmas since the weekend after Thanksgiving. She looked forward to hauling out her red and green totes every year, which were filled to the brim with décor.

“It’s just me. I don’t really see the point in decorating.”

“Nonsense.” Gigi waved a hand at him. “Christmas makes everything better. Even if you’re the only one to enjoy it.” She sensed his hesitation, but pushed forward, determined to bring holiday cheer into his house and life. “Come on. You’ve got to have some decorations, right?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “I guess I probably have a few things packed away.”

“Great!” Gigi clapped her hands together. “Point me in the direction!”

They made their way to a closet off the front hall, where Harris removed a few totes before pulling out a small, dusty cardboard box from the back of the closet.

“I don’t have much,” he warned as they walked back to the living room. He set the box on the ottoman, and Rudy bounced over to sniff as Harris opened the folded cardboard flaps.

Gigi peered inside, finding a few worn decorations—some tinsel, a string of lights, and a handful of ornaments. He wasn’t kidding when he said he didn’t have much.

“That’s perfect.” She smiled, pulling out a tangled bundle of lights. “We’ll make it work.”

Gigi walked over to the kitchen island, zoning in on an outlet on the side. As soon as she plugged in the string of lights, thecolorful bulbs illuminated her hands. “Great! All the bulbs are still good! Now we just need to untangle them.” Setting the ball of lights on the island, Gigi tugged away, loosening the knot.

Harris joined her, plucking away as well. “I haven’t seen these in a long time.”

The lights looked old. Vintage. Gigi was surprised the bulbs still worked. “The multi-colored lights are my favorite. They just feel cozier than white, you know? It’s something about the tones.”

He smiled softly at her. “Yeah, I like them the best too.”

Between the two of them, the tight ball started to loosen, expanding into a mess of wire on the island.

Gigi bent over to get a better look at a stubborn knot. “What was your favorite gift you’ve ever gotten for Christmas?” she asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

Harris was quiet for a few beats, his fingers working on the green wire. “My favorite?”

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