Page 29 of Wrapped Up with the Three Scrooges

“Sorry that took so long, the line was ridiculous.” Her eyes immediately went to the small box in my hand. “What’s that?”

“Nothing important.” I resisted the urge to give her the gift right then and there, my fingers tightening around the small box until the edges dug into my palm. I wasn’t sure I could handle her reaction, and it was better to wait until I dropped her off so I could maintain some semblance of control over these inconvenient feelings. “Ready to go?”

She nodded, tucking a strand of wind-blown hair behind her ear. “Thank you for this. All of it. The food, the company... it’s been really nice.”

I allowed myself a small smile before I remembered the real reason I was the one here with her. “It has, but I need to confess something…”

“Oh? I do love juicy confessions.”

I cringed thinking about what I was about to tell her. It was childish and I hoped she didn’t think we’d deceived her. I mean, we had in a way, but not for nefarious reasons. “The window decorating was a competition to see who would get to drive you home… and take you to dinner.”

Her lips parted and her brow furrowed as she processed my confession. The confusion in her expression made my stomach twist—I hadn’t meant to make it sound like spending time with her was some kind of punishment. If anything, it was the opposite problem. I was enjoying myself far too much.

“But you wanted to take me to dinner? Right?” she asked hesitantly, wrapping her arms around herself against the winter chill… or maybe to put more distance between us.

“Of course I did!” I blurted out a bit too eagerly. The very thought that she could think I considered this an obligation rather than something I’d actively competed for, made the food I’d eaten threaten to come back up.

“And Levi and Max both did too?”

“Yes.” I didn’t quite know how to go about this seeing as my two best friends and business partners also seemed to be captivated by her.

She nodded and started to walk back toward the car. I walked closer than necessary, my hand returning to that not-quite-touching position at the small of her back.

To think that this could have been Levi or Max with her tonight, made something unfamiliar burn inside me—and not a bad burn. As friends, liking the same woman was something we’d never had to navigate before, but it looked like we’d soon find out where the path led us.

Chapter Fourteen

Emery

Iwatched the motel’s familiar neon sign buzz and flicker as Ronan pulled into a parking spot. The ‘vacancy’ portion had been burnt out for weeks, leaving ‘no’ glowing in angry red letters. Seemed fitting, given my current life situation.

“Thanks again for tonight.” I unbuckled my seatbelt. “It was really nice.”

Ronan reached into the backseat and retrieved a small box tied with a red ribbon he’d had when I’d come back from the restroom. “This is for you. Open it later.”

I took it and traced the delicate ribbon. “Mr. Anti-Christmas took me to a holiday market and got me a present?”

Any doubts about the secret prize for the window decorating contest vanished. Although, I didn’t quite know what to do with Levi having been joyous over losing. Did he want me to also spend time with Ronan and Max?

“Later.” His face remained stern, but there was something soft in his eyes.

I was about to protest—because really, when someone hands you a mysteriously wrapped present, how are you supposed to wait?—when the night exploded in red and blue. Police sirens wailed as three cruisers rounded the corner, followed by two black SUVs that screamed FBI.

“What the hell?” Ronan straightened in his seat, instantly alert. The vehicles pulled into the motel parking lot, lights still flashing.

“I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“This is exactly why you shouldn’t be staying here.” Ronan’s jaw clenched as he watched uniformed officers pour out of their vehicles and rush one of the hotel rooms just past the office. “This place isn’t safe.”

I wasn’t listening anymore. Through the lobby windows, I could see Gary behind his desk, looking more confused than usual—which was saying something for a man who believed squirrels were government spies.

“Oh God, Gary.” I was already reaching for the door handle. “He’s probably freaking out!”

“Emery, don’t-” Ronan’s hand shot out to grab my arm, but I was already halfway out of the car.

As eccentric as Gary might be, he’d been kind to me when I needed it most. Plus, he’d given me two tinfoil hats. You don’t just abandon someone after they give you protective headgear.

Gary burst out of the office door as soon as he saw me walking his way, a tinfoil hat on his head. “It’s happening!” he shouted, waving his arms frantically. “They’re here for the ice maker! I told you it was signaling-”

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