Page 31 of A Cozy Holiday
“I gotta get the girls to school.” He shrugs, pretending to be oblivious. Then he turns and strolls toward the snowmobile, snow still clinging to his jacket and jeans.
I stay frozen, shivering from the cold and whatever awkward hell I’ve fallen into. I want to say something clever—anything—but the words refuse to form. Every part of me is painfully aware that I practically threw myself at Jamie, and now…now I have to work with him for the next month.
I’ve ruined everything.
Chapter 8
Type A - Meet Sexually Frustrated
I pacemy cabin like a tiger at the zoo, glancing out the window every three seconds. The sky outside is clear, not a cloud in sight, which feels cruel, considering the storm in my head. Jamie’s going to be awkward around me now, I just know it. For fuck’s sake, he hired me as a vet, and I practically threw myself at him. That was so unprofessional. Maybe he’ll tell me to leave. Maybe I should already be packing, heading back to New Jersey by nightfall.
And really, who could blame him for not wanting to be around an emotionally frozen workaholic like me? Parker cheated on me—my boyfriend of a year—inside my own house less than a week ago.
Maybe I really am exactly as undesirable as he made me feel.
When the crunch of tires reaches my ears, I fling the door open before Jamie has even shut off his truck engine.
“Hey, look, I’m sorry about today,” I say, launching myself at him. “It was unprofessional, and I think I got swept up in the moment, and no one’s complimented me in ages unless I’m—well, you know—and I—”
“Whoa, slow down.” He leans back against his truck. The collar of his dark green flannel gapes just enough to show thevein beating at his throat. His hands rest casually in his pockets, and every inch of him radiates calm. Except for the pulsing of that damn vein.
“I don’t want this to be weird between us.” Translation: Please don’t send me to New Jersey.
He shifts on his feet, scratching the back of his neck. “Weird? Uh…yeah, maybe a little. But not in a bad way. I just haven’t kissed anyone in…well, a really long time.”
“Well, I can promise it won’t happen again.”
“That’d be a shame.” He tips his black cowboy hat down, gaze darting to the snow. “I liked that kiss. More than I probably should’ve.”
“But you practically sprinted away!”I stare up at him. I’m five-eight—five-ten in these boots—and I still have to tilt my head back to meet his eyes.
“Had to take my daughters to school.” He shrugs. “And to be honest, I’m not really versed in this whole situation.”
“You mean the kiss.”
“That, and…talking to attractive women.” He clears his throat, cheeks flushing. “I’m rusty.”
“Hence the dad joke.” I nod. His nervousness is endearing in a weird, charming way.
“I do that when things get awkward,” he admits. “Also, it’s Honey’s favorite joke right now.”
“It is cute, I’ll give you that.”
“My point being is that I’d be interested in trying again. Kissing, talking…whatever.”
My pulse kicks. “Noted.”
“You look especially cute when you blush like that.”
“I’m thirty-two years old. I do not blush.” I swipe at my cheeks. “It’s just cold.”
“Cold looks good on you.” His eyes land on my lips.
“Seems like the flirting’s coming back to you.”
“It’s easy when I’m around you. I’m just…a little out of practice.”
“With kissing?”
