Page 30 of Hostile for the Holidays

“You’re single, too,” she retorts.

“You’re right. While I’ve been busy building my company, my personal life has taken a backseat. I plan to rectify that soon.”

“I’m sure she’ll be lucky to have you.” She bats her lashes mockingly. “And I’ve been busy, too.”

“I know. You’re the highest paid creative director in the lifestyle brand industry.”

“So, you’ve been keeping tabs on me?”

I give her a cocky smile. “I keep my ear to the ground.”

She takes a sip of her drink, assessing me.

“Stella, your career is impressive.”

“But?” she prompts.

“There’s no but.”

“There’s always a but with you.”

I know I’m being baited. It’s what we do to each other. Even when it’s honest feedback, it’s impossible to see the other person as a sounding board. Our egos are too involved. At least they have been in the past, and Stella’s still is.

“I mean it. You’re amazing at what you do. I have no notes.”

“As if I’d take advice from you. Maybe if you tried to sound like less of know-it-all when you talk to people, you’d have better luck getting a date.”

We’re treading into hot water and I hate it. I wanted tonight to be different. I’d hoped it would be different, but it’s clearStella doesn’t want it to be. She likes the old us. Slinging barbs until one of us runs off licking our wounds. Fake dating isn’t changing anything.

“That’s not how I meant it. I think you’re an amazing artist and creative. East & Ivy is lucky to have you. I’d always envisioned you doing your own thing. Starting your own design firm or doing freelance collaborations.”

At my words, her mask slips for a moment. It’s like I’ve hit a soft spot in an otherwise hard shell. But it’s only a fraction of a second before her shields go up again.

“I don’t need you envisioning me doing anything. In fact, keep me out of your thoughts, okay?”

“That’s impossible.”

“Well, try.”

We’re at an impasse and I know I shouldn’t push her anymore tonight.

“I’m going to use the restroom,” I tell her, abandoning my empty beer at the table.

“Fine.” She takes a sip of her espresso martini and reaches for her phone.

After I use the restroom, I take a moment to cool off. This is not going the way I wanted it to. One minute Stella’s looking at me like she might actually see me, like the way her eyes softened and her mouth spread into a sincere smile when I was talking about my company and the technology I designed, then the next she’s angry about me being one of millions in the city where she lives.

When I come back from the restroom, Stella isn’t at the table anymore. My eyes scan the bar and find her talking to Tanner and some other locals.

“You ready to leave?” I ask upon my approach, trying to keep my cool.

Stella takes a step away from Tanner’s table, but she barely looks at me before responding. “Sadie and Tom are still here. I think I’ll catch a ride with them.”

“What about Daniel?” I ask, searching the crowd.

“He’s talking to Cady Cosgrove and he looks smitten.” She smiles, excitedly bouncing on her toes, “I think I might be in the clear.” She grips my forearm, her eyes alight with joy. “If Daniel finds someone else, we might be able to break up, or at least not hang out as much. I mean I wouldn’t tell him we’re broken up, just in case.”

My stomach drops at her suggestion. I thought we were making progress this afternoon and now she’s looking for an excuse to back out of our arrangement?

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