Page 50 of Hostile for the Holidays

It was the moment that the feud between Jasper and I had become personal. Not simply anything you can do, I can do better. It was war.

The weight of Jasper’s palm on my hip brings me back to the present.

We were kids. I should let it go. But can I?

“All right, Stella. Let’s see what you got.” Jasper’s aunt grabs a marker from the tray at the easel and hands it to me.

I take a card from the stack, then approach the easel.

I nearly cackle when I see it says “Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer.” It’s an elaborate one but with a few key components, the sleigh with reindeer and a detailed grandma walking down the sidewalk, my team guesses it with plenty of time to spare.

While Jasper and his team are busy guessing Jana’s drawing, I steal a glance at him. I let myself strip away all the tension and hostility between us and study him objectively. The dark-framed glasses that he wears to read, those long lashes and his sculpted jaw. I’m at war with myself because the way he’s made me feel in the past is colliding with the attraction and curiosity that I have to know more about him now. It’s a tricky place to be and I don’t like tricky. Or change. I want Jasper to be the same guy he was in high school, but that doesn’t work because people change and grow. They start multi-million-dollar corporations and charity foundations. They make gestures that show you they’re thinking about you and remember things you liked.

I’m more confused than ever, but I decide to take Sadie’s advice and embrace what feels good.

SIXTEEN

STELLA

Jasper’s roomis like walking through a time portal. He still has medals and trophies from high school displayed. Band posters and dance photos.

“You don’t even have to wonder what my room was like in high school. Here it is.”

“I kind of like it this way. My parents cleared my stuff out and now it’s got the generic appearance of guest room number one.”

I lean against the desk, taking in his room. Trying to imagine him doing homework here or talking on the phone with girls.

I glance at his bed. Hooking up with girls.

“You said you had something you wanted to give me? Or did you change your mind when my team beat yours at Pictionary?”

“Hey, I did what I could. Your Uncle Ron was our weak link.”

His lips twitch with amusement. “Yeah, he drinks too much eggnog to be helpful.”

“So you sabotaged my chances of winning by putting me on his team?”

“Truthfully, I thought your skills would overcome his weakness, but alas it was not enough.”

My mouth gapes open in mock outrage. “You’re not doing yourself any favors, you know.”

It’s what I say, but I walk over to where he’s sitting on the bed. The moment I’m close enough, his hands move to the back of my legs, his warm, firm grip sending a rush of desire between my thighs.

“Stella St. James in my childhood room. What an incredible sight.”

“Hmm.” I push my fingers through his hair before removing his glasses and setting them on the nightstand. “What does your bedroom look like in LA?”

“It’s boring. Wood bedframe, gray bedding.” A teasing smile pulls at his lips. “A photo of my fake girlfriend on the nightstand.”

“That would be weird, seeing as we only started fake dating three days ago.”

His smile doesn’t waver, which makes me curious what his motives are here.

“Why are you single, Jasper?”

“Are you inferring I’m quite the catch and a woman should have snapped me up?”

“I’d never give you the satisfaction.”

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