Page 22 of Wrapped Up with the Three Scrooges

Levi stopped pacing. “What time was this?”

“Around midnight.” Gary scratched his head. “The light lasted maybe five minutes. Classic alien reconnaissance technique.”

“Or someone using a flashlight to look inside the car.” Levi’s jaw ticked. “He probably disabled it somehow so you couldn’t drive it before they came to get it.”

The pieces clicked into place. Josh hadn’t just taken the car—he’d planned it and made sure I’d be stranded. “Why would he do this?”

“Because he’s a controlling asshole who can’t stand that you’re moving on.” Levi’s voice was tight with anger. “Give me his address. I’ll handle this.”

“No.” I stood up, wobbling slightly. “It’s not your problem. None of this is your problem.” The weight of everything—Josh, the car, the motel, my precarious employment situation, and now whatever was happening with Levi—suddenly felt overwhelming. “I appreciate everything you’ve done today, but-”

“Emery.” Levi stepped closer, his hands coming to rest on my arms. “Let me help.”

“You already have.” I gestured to the parking lot where his car was with my shopping bags. “More than enough.”

“Come on,” Levi said softly. “Let’s get you to your room.”

I nodded, too exhausted to argue. After saying goodnight to Gary, who insisted I keep the tinfoil hat, and collecting the bags from the car, Levi walked me to my door.

“Thank you.” I fumbled with the key. “For everything today. The clothes, the... everything.” My cheeks heated remembering exactly what ‘everything’ included.

“We’ll figure this out.” He set the bags inside my door, his eyes scanning my room. “The car, Josh, all of it.”

I wanted to believe him, but I’d done that before with Josh, hadn’t I? Trusted someone else to have my best interests at heart?

“Goodnight, Levi.” I managed a small smile that probably looked as forced as it felt, my lips trembling slightly with the effort of holding myself together.

He hesitated like he wanted to say more, his eyes searching my face with an intensity that made me nervous. Then he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, his lips lingering. “Goodnight, Christmas Spirit. Lock up behind me.” His voice was gentle, tinged with a protectiveness that made my already wobbly emotions threaten to spill over.

I waited until his footsteps faded before closing the door and sliding down to sit on the floor. I grabbed the tinfoil hat Gary had given me and wadded it up, throwing it across the room in frustration.

At least if someone or something were reading my thoughts right now, they’d be getting one hell of a story.

Chapter Eleven

Max

Iwatched from my office as Emery slumped at her desk, her head resting in her hands. The morning had been rough—a nasty customer who had a pickup order had requested to speak to a manager because her bows weren’t “bow-ish enough,” whatever the hell that meant.

I debated whether I should say something to comfort her. That was more Levi’s style though; swooping in with his effortless charm while I preferred quieter gestures that didn’t draw attention.

Speaking of Levi, I’d noticed how he’d been hovering around her workstation more than usual the last few days. Something had shifted between them, but I wasn’t sure exactly what.

When Emery finally got up to take her lunch break, I waited a few minutes before grabbing the small package from my desk drawer. I’d spotted the holiday-themed sticky notes at the store the day before—each one decorated with terrible Christmas punsand cute illustrations. They seemed like something that might make her smile.

I made my way to her desk, trying to appear casual as I placed the gift next to her wrap sheet. Before I was caught, I went back upstairs to my office only to find Levi leaning against my doorframe.

“Interesting.” He wore that infuriatingly knowing smirk that always made me want to throw something heavy at him—preferably my stapler. His eyes danced with amusement as he crossed his arms over his chest. “I didn’t take you for the Secret Santa type, Max. Seems a bit too... festive for you.”

“I can be festive, and it’s just sticky notes.” I shoved my hands deep in my pockets, trying to appear nonchalant even as my fingers fidgeted with loose threads inside the fabric. “She was running low.”

“Uh-huh.” He pushed off the doorframe and walked over. “And you just happened to notice that while watching her from your office all morning?”

“Says the guy who’s been finding every excuse to give her rides.” The words came out sharper than I intended. The familiar ache of jealousy twisted in my chest, making me wish I could take back the accusation even as part of me wanted to say more.

Levi’s expression shifted, becoming more serious. “About that... something happened with her car.” He filled me in on what had gone down at her motel on Monday, and my hands clenched into fists as he described her ex’s dick move.

“That fucking asshole.” I was already thinking about ways we could make Josh’s life difficult.

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