Page 9 of Hostile for the Holidays

For the second time today, I want to hide.

I pray that I can grab my suitcase and be on my way before he sees me, but that’s when I see the sign he’s holding. And it’s in the next second that his eyes latch onto me.

There, smiling and waving a sign with my name on it in colorful gemstones, is my sisters’ fiancé’s cousin, Daniel.

Fuck.

I didn’t think this day could get any worse, but in fact it can.

Daniel and I spent one drunken night together after a Noah Kahan concert last summer. It was an okay time—I mean with Daniel, because Noah’s performance was phenomenal—but nothing I wanted to pursue and while I’ve tried to keep things cordial because he’s going to be part of my sister’s family once she marries Tom, I finally had to tell him that there’s nothing between us. That didn’t help. He only came on stronger thinking I was playing hard to get. Over the past few months, he’s been sending me flirty text messages which I’ve ignored hoping he will get bored and move on.

While I knew he’d be at the wedding, I didn’t anticipate seeing him at the airport. And him standing by baggage claim with my name on a sign was not on my ‘home for the holidays’ bingo card.

And from the way he lights up when he sees me, it appears he hasn’t moved on.

“There you are, gorgeous.”

He moves in for a hug, but I hold my travel bag between us to keep from our bodies pressing together so it ends up being an awkward side hug.

“Wow, Stella. Red is your color.” He whistles loudly. An annoying catcall whistle that makes me cringe. “You look amazing.”

“Thanks, I have vomit in my hair,” I say flatly. “What’s with the sign?” I glance around, looking for any member of my family to swoop in and save me.

“I’m your ride.” He opens his arms wide and his potent cologne hits my nose.

Even if I wasn’t recovering from food poisoning, I don’t think I’d be able to stomach the overpowering scent.

“I thought my dad was coming to pick me up?” I ask, dread making my stomach churn again.

“I volunteered. Told your dad it would give us time to catch up.” He winks and it’s awkward. Nothing like the smooth charm Jasper had displayed on the plane. Oh god, now I’m comparing other guys to Jasper. I think the plane flew through a wormhole and landed me in an alternate universe.

“But why are you here so early? I thought guests weren’t coming until after Christmas.”

“Tom’s here and you know he’s like my brother. We spend the holidays together now that my parents are overseas, so your mom offered for me to stay in your family’s guest room.” A huge smile pulls across his face. “Isn’t that great? We’ll have plenty of time to hang out. Rekindle that spark between us.” He gives me another twitchy wink and I think I might be sick again.

Daniel’s annoying and a bit pushy, but he’s nothing I can’t handle.

The question is, do I want to spend my two-week holiday vacation heading off his advances? His over-the-top flirting and barrage of innuendos. Visions of my peaceful, relaxing time at home are now filled with the scent of Daniel’s cologne and the sight of his leering smile directed at me.

Then there’s the fact that I don’t have a date to Sadie and Tom’s wedding. I’m a bridesmaid and Daniel’s a groomsman so we’ll be together at every event with no one to run interference between us and make Daniel understand once and for all, I’m not interested.

I need a moment to process my thoughts.

“I’ve got to—” I motion, turning to look for the nearest women’s restroom, but I run smack into a man’s chest.

Jasper.

When my eyes lift to his, it’s the oddest moment. Hours ago, I was avoiding him, now the sight of his hazel eyes and knowing smile are like a lifeline.

It must be because in this moment when I’m faced with Daniel, a past romantic mistake that I’m going to have to endure through the holidays, Jasper seems like the least unpleasant choice. I’d rather bicker with Jasper than be the subject of Daniel’s affection. The thought has my mind spiraling. I never imagined Jasper Jensen would be a safety net.

And that’s what I need right now.

A shield. In human form.

The only way to show Daniel I’m truly not interested is if I’m with someone else.

I need a boyfriend to keep Daniel’s advances at bay.

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