Page 67 of All I Want for Christmas

‘No. None.’

‘Hm.’

Darcy frowned. ‘Why do you say it like that?’

‘A bit of awkwardness is good. It indicates tension, you know? Sexual chemistry.’

Darcy hesitated. ‘We had tension.’ She sounded defensive.

‘You did?’

‘Yes, he’s really attractive. And so clever.’

‘Well, he is a vet.’

‘Exactly.’ Darcy leaned against the doorframe as Frejaducked back into the bathroom and spat in the sink. ‘We’re going to go for drinks again tomorrow night.’

‘Ooh, that’s keen. Setting up the next date while you’re still on the first one.’

‘I told you, it went well.’

Darcy’s phone buzzed – already? – and she gave a smile as she checked it. A flirty little ‘good night’ text was always welcome...

But she frowned as she saw the Revolut banner come up and an invoice for 392 kr.

What?

It was for half of dinner! She blinked in disbelief. She had assumed by the way he’d grabbed the bill and didn’t even look her way as he handed his card over that he had wanted to cover it himself. She had thanked him for paying! He’d made no mention—

‘So, he’s a gentleman. Clever and attractive. What else?’ Freja asked, patting her mouth dry with the towel.

Darcy looked back at Freja and groaned, slumping against the wall. ‘He’s a bloody feminist.’

Chapter Fourteen

Another envelope.

Darcy had moved from her spot at the table at the end of the stack and was instead sitting cross-legged on the floor, the latest box open beside her. She had turned the corner, quite literally, coming to the end of the first stack and moving over to the other side of the aisle. Such were the pigeon steps by which she had to mark progress.

She turned the envelope over. It was unsealed and she untucked the flap...

‘Nice top...That colour suits you.’ She looked up to find Max standing at the end of the shelves, watching her. He was softly backlit by the library lights above the end tables. Even his silhouette was handsome. ‘You forgot this.’ Her scarf was bundled in his hand. ‘It was on the sofa.’

‘Oh...’ She hadn’t even noticed it was missing. She got to her feet as he came down the aisle towards her and held it out. ‘Thanks.’

She swallowed, remembering their latest tense interaction – the altercation on his doorstep the other night. She felt embarrassed now. They’d both been tired. ‘...I’d make a rubbish burglar,’ she murmured, aiming for levity.

He gave his half-smile, stuffing one hand into his trouser pocket. ‘Yes...There were other signs of your presence.’

She looked at him questioningly.

‘Some fries on the floor.’

‘...Really?’

He nodded and she winced, appalled. She reached for something to deflect from her embarrassment. ‘Well, there wouldn’t have been if you had a dog.’

He looked surprised – as was she – by the comment. ‘You think I should have a dog?’

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