Page 52 of Hacking the Holidays
“I have no idea what that means,” I said.
“Of course you don’t.” She turned and sauntered away, leaving me to assume she also had no idea what it meant.
I stood frozen in the doorway, watching her disappear around the corner, my mind racing through everything that could go wrong.
Everything thatwouldgo wrong.
Chloe gently pulled me back into the room and closed the door.
“Breathe,” she said. “Just breathe.”
But I couldn’t. My mind was spinning through every interaction I’d had with Sam, every mishap, every corny joke he’d made, every moment that had felt like something real. And now Babbs was going to crash through it all like a wrecking ball in a white ski jumpsuit.
“Sam is going to get blindsided by her,” I said, shaking my head in frustration.
“He’s a smart guy—he may see it coming and surprise us,” Chloe said. “And I understand—this isn’t about the case anymore. This is about her waltzing in and taking advantage of a guy you really like.”
I nodded. “Sometimes, I feel Sam isn’t guilty of anything except kindness, or that maybe there’s much more to this case than meets the eye. Do you think this may be a set-up?”
“It wouldn’t be the first time,” she said.
“Either way, Vanilla Ice Barbie is going to ruin everything.”
“You have two options,” Chloe said. “You can stand around and watch her do whatever she wants. Or …” She tilted her head and raised her eyebrows. “You could ruin her plans before she ruins yours.”
I looked up at her. “What are you talking about?”
“Zara, come on. Think …” She sat on the edge of the bed. “What does she have that you don’t?”
“A complete lack of conscience. No moral compass,” I said. “Perfect hair. The ability to hypnotize men with her cleavage.”
“True, but Bimbo Babbs also has a plan,” Chloe said simply. “She told you exactly what she’s going to do and where she’s going to do it. Where does Sam get his morning bagel and coffee?”
“The Bavarian Bagel Company,” I answered.
“Exactly,” Chloe said, her smile almost wicked as she waited for my brain to fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle.
It didn’t take long …
I felt the sudden clarity of knowing exactly what I needed to do.
“You’re right,” I said.
“Of course I’m right,” Chloe replied.
The solution was crystal clear. I’d beat Barbie to the Bavarian Bagel Company in the morning, get the best table for two, and then wait for Sam to show up. And if she thought she was getting anywhere near him, she’d have to go through me to do it.
Chapter Thirteen
SAM
I walked into the Bavarian Bagel Company the next morning and immediately felt my mood lift when I spotted Rose sitting at my usual table with a coffee and bagel sandwich.
“Well, this is a surprise,” I said, making my way over with a grin. “I can’t believe you table-jacked my favorite spot by the window.”
Rose looked up and smiled brightly, and I felt that same flutter I’d been trying to analyze since she’d kissed me last night.
“You snooze, you lose,” she smirked, then tilted her head toward the empty chair across from her. “Tell you what—I’ll let you join me, if that makes you feel better.”
