Page 89 of Hiding for the Holidays
I smile, keeping my eyes closed as I hum in agreement. “Butthat one was spectacular,” I mumble, snuggling closer to what must be Grant’s body.
Someone kisses my shoulder as they whisper, “Sleep.” And I do.
I stroke my hand across the tablecloth for the twentieth time, making sure it’s perfect.
“Shortcake, stop fussing, everything looks great,” Leo says as he comes to stand behind me, his hands on my hips as he looks down at the table.
“I want it to be perfect.”
He turns me around to face him, cupping my face as he tells me, “It is perfect. You’ve done such an amazing job setting this all up. Even if something goes wrong, we’ll handle it. You need to relax and enjoy yourself. Customers will pick up on it if you’re uneasy.”
I drop my shoulders in acceptance. “I know, you’re right.”
“Of course I am, I’m brilliant.”
I smile up at him, and he gives me a quick peck on the lips. “There’s that smile I love to see.” My heart beats wildly at his use of the L word. I thought he had told me he loved me once, when I was falling asleep, but I couldn’t be sure it wasn’t a dream. Asher had said it, but I hadn’t said it back yet. How could I when I was feeling that way about three men?
The way Asher had spoken almost made it sound like he was okay with sharing me, but I knew that wasn’t long term. And I didn’t want to speak those words if I was going to have to let them go. And I was. Once Scott has been found, and isn’t my problem anymore, they’re going to want me to choose, and I can’t. I’d rather have none of them than have to pick one, as crazy as that sounds. It’s just an impossible decision.
Leo is fun, and he makes me laugh. He’s super bossy in the bedroom, and I look forward to seeing him every morning.
Asher is more intense, but his protectiveness makes me feel special and safe. The way his eyes find me across the room and his gaze narrows on me always makes my body heat with need.
And Grant. He’s like a steady rock. He’s stable and consistent, which makes him sound boring, but he’s far from it. He’s kind and more in tune with his emotions than the other two. He’s able to understand me on such a deep level, it’s as if I’ve known him for years. He can tell with one look at me that something is wrong.
And therein lies my problem. All three are perfect in their own ways, and I know I’ll never find anybody like them again. Was I doomed to be alone forever? All I could do was embrace this short time I have with them and hope that it at least lasts a few more days until Christmas.
“I’m flipping the open sign!” Grant yells from the front entrance, bringing me back to the present. I roll my shoulders back as I gaze around the gym.
I’ve been working my ass off for this Christmas Open house and I wasn’t going to let my worries about my personal life get in the way. Not today.
Christmas music plays over the speakers and tables are set up around the open area at the back, filled with holiday treats and drinks from the local shops. A Christmas tree sits right in the middle, surrounded by the wrapped gifts for the toy drive. I have a wrapping station setup for people to come in and wrap their own gifts, or wrap the toys they are donating.
We’ve switched the overhead lights off, and Christmas lights fill the space, giving it a perfect holiday atmosphere. I cut out snowflakes on large sheets of white paper, and the guys hung them from the ceiling all around the gym.
There is nothing on any of the weight or cardio machines assafety is the most important thing, plus, a big part of this event is letting people see the new gym so I didn’t want to change it or cover it up.
I hear voices and glance up as a group of four, two guys and two women, enter. Grant greets them and gestures to the back where we are.
They make their way over to us and I put on my customer service smile as they approach.
“Welcome to Iron Oaks! If you want to take off your coats, there are coat racks over there,” I say, pointing to the temporary racks I brought in for today. “Help yourself to some snacks and feel free to look through the gym.”
“Thanks. We brought some toys for the drive, where do you want us to put them?” One of the women asks.
“That’s great. You can put them under the tree as they are, or we have a gift wrap station over there.”
“Oh that’s so cute! Jess, look at the bows!” The two women hustle over to the gift wrap station excitedly while the guys start to ask questions about the gym. Leo takes over, giving them a tour of the floor as I greet another group of guests.
The entire day is busy as I rush around greeting guests, showing them where things are, refill the snacks, tidy the tables and make sure everyone is having a good time.
Asher helps Leo with tours in between helping greet people and Grant continually mans the door, welcoming them and pointing out where everything is at the back.
By four o’clock I’m utterly exhausted, and my feet throb from running around all day. The tree has so many toys around it, the bottom third is completely covered.
“Clara?” I turn around as three women approach. They look to be in their thirties and their eyes light up when they notice the toys.
“Yes, that’s me.”
