Page 6 of Her Holiday Arrangement
Elizabeth set down her cup with a softclink. “You’re accepting.”
“I’m… not saying yes,” Riley hedged. “But I’m not sayingno.”
A corner of Elizabeth’s mouth tugged in what might have been a smile, on anyone else. On her, it felt like a well-executed PR strategy.
“You’ll be compensated fairly,” she said, calm as ever. “In addition to your regular pay, I’ll cover expenses, double your holiday bonus, and I’ve already arranged for a winter wardrobe. I assume your current coat isn’t up to Vermont standards.”
Riley instinctively glanced at her ancient puffer jacket slung over the back of the chair, its stuffing visible at one shoulder. “Okay, rude. But also… accurate.”
Elizabeth folded her hands, long fingers laced like a chess master contemplating her next move. “It’s ten days. You’ll arrive with me, play the role of my affectionate partner, and depart after Christmas dinner. We can even ‘break up’ publicly if you like, once the holiday is over.”
“That’s… so romantic,” Riley said, voice squeaky with disbelief. “Truly. Nothing says holiday cheer like strategic heartbreak.”
Elizabeth didn’t blink. “You’ll be staying in my family’s estate. We’ll be in close quarters. And we’ll need to be convincing.”
Riley’s heart did a full somersault. “Convincing like… how convincing?”
Elizabeth tilted her head, gaze cool. “We’ll need to appear physically comfortable. Some hand-holding. Possibly the occasional kiss. Nothing extravagant. Just… enough.”
“Enough to trick your mother into believing you’re in love with your assistant.”
Elizabeth’s voice was calm. “You’re not just my assistant. You’re clever, quick, adaptable. And you’re easy on the eyes. They’ll believe it.”
Riley gaped. “Did you just call me hot?”
“I said you’re aesthetically pleasing. Don’t let it go to your head.”
“I’m sorry,” Riley said, trying to laugh but kind of wheezing instead. “Do you evenhearyourself?”
Elizabeth stood and moved toward the window, her silhouette framed by the soft gray-blue of falling snow. “I don’t enjoy Christmas. I especially don’t enjoy being paraded in front of judgmental relatives as a cautionary tale for what happens when you prioritize career over companionship.”
“Wow,” Riley whispered. “That sounds deeply traumatic.”
Elizabeth didn’t turn around. “It’s tiresome. And it gives them ammunition. Bringing someone home, someone believable, will make the time easier.”
Riley stared into her tea. “You know I’ve had a crush on you for months, right?”
Elizabeth turned, surprised. “I suspected.”
“Cool. Just checking.” Riley’s face was fully on fire now. “Because this is kind of the plot of every workplace romance disaster. I already babble when you’re near me, and now you want totouchme? In front of your family? I’ll be a human tomato by day two.”
“Then they’ll assume we’re madly in love.”
“Jesus Christ,” Riley muttered into her mug.
Elizabeth returned to her seat, composed as ever. “Do you want me to find someone else?”
The idea made Riley flinch more than it should have. The thought of someoneelseholding Elizabeth’s hand, standing in as her perfectly polished girlfriend, sent a weird twist of something like jealousy through her stomach.
“No,” she said, too quickly. “I mean, no, it’s fine. I’ll do it.”
Elizabeth gave a satisfied nod. “Good.”
“But we need rules,” Riley blurted. “Ground rules. Boundaries. So I don’t spontaneously combust halfway through Christmas Eve dinner.”
Elizabeth steepled her fingers. “Very well. What are your terms?”
“Okay, first,” Riley said, counting on her fingers, “no real kissing unless it’s absolutely necessary. Like, must-convince-an-aunt level emergency.”
