Page 57 of Hostile for the Holidays

Jasper’s arms wrap around my front, one large hand settling on my stomach causing a swarm of butterflies to take flight.

“There’s my girl.”

“Hmm.” I let myself indulge in his embrace for a moment before I cut it short and turn to find him looking ridiculously handsome in slacks and a wool blazer, with a white button-down underneath. He’s wearing his glasses which I’ve decided are my weakness. His hair is perfectly styled in that messy wave I like and his jawline is clean shaven, making every angle perfectly cut.

He’s beautiful. He’s charming. And, he’s in trouble.

“You look absolutely stunning.” He pulls me in a for sweet kiss. “Does this dress wrinkle?” he asks huskily against my ear.

But I can’t be distracted by a sexy, nerdy tech guy that fills out his slacks just right.

“A word, Jasper.” I give him my best admonishing tone before reaching for his hand and pulling him from the group. I march him straight upstairs to his room where I know we’ll have privacy to talk. But we’ll do nothing else, because I’m upset with him.

When we’re in the quiet of his room, Jasper turns that magnetic smile of his on me.

“You’re so beautiful.” He reaches for a strand of my hair, but I gently capture his wrist and guide his arm down.

“No one can even hear us right now.”

He shrugs. “Doesn’t matter. I’m being honest.”

I give him a stern look and cross my arms over my chest. “Didn’t you tell me your mom usually sets you up at this party? That was the reason you needed me to be your fake girlfriend.”

“Okay.”

“That’s not an answer. I just talked to Juniper. She says your mom never sets you up. That your mom knows you wouldn’t be interested so it’s pointless. So why did you tell me that?”

He sighs. “Juniper’s right. But my mom did set me up once and it could have happened again.”

“That’s your basis for needing a fake girlfriend?” I scoff.

“No. I knew you needed my help but you wouldn’t accept it if you knew it was one-sided.”

“You’re darn right.” I nod, my frustration with Jasper growing. “So, you lied and didn’t need me at all?”

I’m surprised by the hurt in my voice. It’s not even his lie that I’m having issue with, it’s that this entire time, he’s been helping my cause knowing there was no need for reciprocation. It tips the scales in his favor.

“That’s not completely accurate. I stretched the truth, and I did need you.” He pins me against the door. “I still need you.”

“What for?” I search his face, my breath growing heavy and ragged.

“Because you make the holidays feel like something worth celebrating. Spending time with you this past week has been the most fun I’ve had in forever.”

His admission is surprising and it makes me feel like less of a charity case. But I’m not sure how to act now that Daniel’s distracted with Cady and Jasper doesn’t even need a fake girlfriend.

“We should get back to the party,” I tell him.

Jasper steps back to give me space, but instead of following me out the door, he’s across the room grabbing something off his desk.

“Stella, wait. I want to give you your Christmas gift.”

I stare at the black square velvet box he’s presenting me. It has the largest red bow on it. It’s completely disproportioned to the box, but I also kind of love it for that reason.

“I didn’t know we were exchanging gifts.” My voice is soft.

“We never said either way. I saw these and thought of you.”

I feel his eyes on me as I untie the ribbon, then carefully open the box. Sitting in the box are the most exquisite pair of bow-shaped diamond earrings. They’re large enough to be a statement, but small enough to wear every day. They’re perfect.

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