Page 57 of Falling for Mr. Wright

Chapter Sixteen

Sarah climbed over the boxes in the supply closest. “Whose brilliant idea was it to stuff the decorations way up there? Obviously, a tall person.”

The time she’d spent with Mrs. Scott passing out gifts had put her in such a festive mood that she’d decided to get started on holiday party preparations.

She’d admit it. The only reason she’d volunteered to go earlier had been to avoid having lunch with Ryan, because she honestly didn’t know if she could. Maybe with some distance, things could go back to normal, but right now all she could think about was how their night together couldn’t happen again.

It certainly didn’t help that Logan had not only suggested a second date in front of Ryan this morning but had also mentioned it when she’d returned. He’d brought her a cup of coffee and asked if she’d like to go to the movies this weekend.

Two weeks ago, her heart would have been skipping at the prospect of sharing buttery popcorn with Logan in a dark movie theater.

But two weeks ago, she hadn’t had the best sex of her life with his best friend.

She’d made up some excuse that she had plans to seeThe Nutcrackerwith her roommate and hightailed it out of there, saying she needed to get started on pulling out all of the Christmas decorations for the holiday party.

So now she was in the storage room hiding from Ryan…or maybe Logan. At this point, it was really a toss-up.

She stretched on her tippy-toes and pulled down one box, then a second. Organizing the decorations was exactly what she needed to take her mind off things. She’d get everything sorted, from the multicolored lights to the silver-and-gold garland to all the pretty ornaments, and then tomorrow, she’d enlist a couple staff members to help her decorate the cafeteria and put up their eco-friendly tree that was being delivered in the morning from a Long Island organic tree farm.

This year, in addition to the Secret Santa exchange, Logan had asked her to arrange for the staff to walk uptown to see the Rockefeller Tree. Since he’d announced the outing, she’d envisioned what it would be like to be arm in arm with him, humming Christmas carols, all warm and jolly from spiked eggnog.

She ripped open the first box containing ornaments. What would it be like to take that stroll with Ryan instead? She stopped for a second, letting her mind wander.

There would be a chill in the air, as snowflakes fell from the sky. Not enough to ruin their outing, but just enough to make it feel Christmassy. She’d be bundled up in her ivory coat with her red scarf and matching hat. He’d be wearing his long black wool coat that he always looked so handsome in with his Burberry scarf.

They’d hang back, letting the rest of the group go far ahead, stopping several times for Ryan to point out the architecture of various iconic buildings, including the New York Public Library. He’d reach into his coat and pull out a small bag of malt balls, offering her one. They’d hold hands, and their fingers would be threaded the same way they’d been when they’d made l—

She straightened, slamming thestopbutton on that daydream.Stop it.It hadn’t been lovemaking. Okay, maybe it had been for her, but it hadn’t for him.

And now Corrine had Ryan’s number, and by now, he’d probably already set up their second date. A date where Sarah wouldn’t be there to run interference.

She let out a frustrated sigh and began riffling through the ornaments. How had her life gotten so far off course? Two weeks ago, the plan, the only plan, had been to win Logan’s heart.

It was going brilliantly. She’d be a fool not to say yes to his invitation for a second date.

That visual didn’t produce one single tingle. Not one.

She pulled out a pretty white snowflake, holding it in the palm of her hand, her thoughts easily going back to Ryan.

How was it she’d never realized how protective and loyal he was to his family and friends? She hadn’t known about his sister hitting rock bottom in California or that Logan had been bullied in high school, but now that she did, she could totally see how easily Ryan had played the role of white knight, coming to their aid. Maybe he had big-time commitment issues, but that didn’t make him less than the caring man he was, did it?

She did an about-face, because hiding in a closet from Ryan was silly. She needed to see him. It was time to be honest and admit how awesome she thought he was and every other emotion she was feeling from the kiss on the football field to their night together.

If he didn’t feel the same way, so be it. At least he’d know.

She rushed to the door, running smack into Logan. “Hi. Sorry,” she said. “Did you need me for something?”

“No. I got done with my meeting a few minutes early and wanted to see if you could use my help.”

Of course you’re here, because now that I don’t want you to flirt with me, all you want to do is flirt with me!She smiled and stepped back in. “Sure.”

“Where do you want me to start?”

“There’s a box of lights right up there.” She pointed to the top shelf against the wall. “If you wouldn’t mind grabbing it.”

“Sure thing.” He rolled up his white sleeves. “Have you found my dad’s crazy decorations?”

“The silver-and-gold T squares and protractors?”

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