Page 109 of The Holiday Grump
Relief flooded every nook of my body. My heart glowed like it was made of light. “You’re so in love with him, huh?”
She took my hand and pulled me toward the stairs. “I hope that doesn’t make me a bad hire because I’ll be daydreaming about him and will probably get so distracted, I’ll order way too many romance books.”
“I heard your employer is very laid-back and understanding. He knows what it’s like. All those hormones.”
“Exactly! It’s insane.” She skipped up the stairs, turning around to wait for me. “Oh my God! Are you okay? Can you even walk?”
I held the banister, trying to breathe through the pain. “Walk, yes. Just struggling a bit with stairs.”
My chest ached so much I could barely speak. I’d already been up those stairs once and survived. But I must have angered my body, and it was fighting back.
She scurried back down to where I stood, her eyes watery. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t think. You need to rest. Doesit hurt more when you’re sitting or standing? What about lying down?”
“I’m fine with sitting and standing. And I can lie down, but I need to avoid too much movement.”
I leaned on the wall, trying to find a somewhat comfortable angle. I didn’t want her to see how much pain I was in. If I could have made it up the stairs without passing out, I would have. I wanted nothing more than to lay her down on that bed and give her everything. She deserved so much better than this.
“You really need help,” she said thoughtfully, placing a hand gently on my chest. “How did you drive here?”
“I… snuck out. Felicity and Jackson have been taking turns watching me, but today, they were busy working, so I promised I’d stay home. If I move slowly, I’m okay. I just need to rest for a bit, and I can drive home.”
“I’ll drive you home! I need to call Felicity and find out what your doctor’s orders are.”
“No, it’s fine. I can?—”
“Fredrik!” Her eyes burned with passion. “I want to take care of you. Iwantto be needed, not just a nice-to-have.”
She looked so happy and hopeful, like this was what she’d been looking for, a man who couldn’t get up the stairs.
“You are absolutely vital. An essential element that sustains life on the planet. Or at least within my rib cage.”
She let out an easy laugh. “Good.”
“And please take over all this Christmas stuff. I can’t handle it. I don’t know what your family is expecting, and it’s stressing me out so much I’m having nightmares.”
She chuckled. “I can’t believe you invited everyone to your house. You don’t even like people.”
“I like you. And I know I can’t have you without accepting everything that comes with it. Your past, your present, and your future.”
“If that’s from one of your Russian classics, I might consider putting some on my TBR.”
“Well, according to Dostoevsky, to love is to suffer, so maybe you want to stick to romance.”
Smiling, she took my hand and led me to the door. Slowly. Gently. “You’re suffering for love right now. Does it make you feel connected to the 19th-century greats?”
I scoffed. “I just feel sore and stupid.”
She locked the door behind us, then handed me the key. “I’m sorry I copied this. Grace thought it might sell the idea that we’d left town, but we still needed to use the bathroom. It was a stupid plan.”
“It worked, until I found your damp towel.”
“Ha! I thought we were being so careful.” She gestured at the Christmas store. “I have to go tell Grace. She’ll be worried sick. I left for a bathroom trip, and I’ve been away for a long time.”
“Of course. You go ahead. I’ll catch up.”
She wouldn’t leave my side. “No. It’s slippery out here, and you’re disabled.”
My chest felt hot, but it wasn’t from the broken rib. It was the emotion building up and boiling over. Because I’d never felt this. Elora hadn’t been the nurturing type. She’d been stimulating and fun, but not someone you’d lean on. I’d been trying to support her and make her happy. I’d tried so hard. But I’d never had someone like this in my life. Someone who drew joy from being needed. Being helpful.
