Page 48 of Grinch Girl

Hustling down the hall, I waved at Harlan, who was trying to persuade Nate to make him an offer. “You should act today. That unit will probably be sold by the end of the week,” he lied.

“You’re all good,” I called.

He waved back, although it looked more like he was trying to air-push me out of the building.

As I walked back to my car, I smiled so widely that the cold air hurt my exposed teeth. Holy shit, my plan had actually worked!

Because of the series of detailed IP targeting and geotargeting changes I’d made, if any tourists clicked on that obnoxious flashing ad, they would go toFalworth’sholiday event page. I’d spruce it up tonight, adding all sorts of other local businesses and attractions.

The Wontana council would never even know the ad had been changed, because if one of them tried to click on the ad, it would take them to the original page they created.

Cackling, I turned on my car’s heater, ready to drive toward home.

My phone buzzed with a text from Nate.And you didn’t think we’d hatch any schemes! It was a beautifully executed plan, Jane. Very impressive.

My cheeks began to ache I was smiling so widely.Thanks!I responded.Beware the invisible IT girl.

Nate’s response was immediate.Invisible? All I can see is you.

Chapter Fourteen

Tuesday, December 16—Single Bells—Date 4—Ice-Skating

Pairings:

Bella and Nate

Nicole and Jim

Diane and Tripp

Mabel and Brian

Jane and Michael

“Huh.” I rereadthe list of date pairings Sean brought me and frowned.

“I know, right?” He shrugged with his palms up. “Voters are shaking things up a little.”

For the first time, Bella and Michael were not paired together. Maybe viewers had agreed with me and Nate that Bella and Michael should be paired with other people as punishment for their bowling obnoxiousness. Or maybe the viewers were getting impatient with their chaste, wide-eyed mooning. People who were accustomed toBachelorcontent were primed for hot-tub time. There were a lot of online comments that boiled down toWhy won’t they make out already?!

If Bella and I were on different terms, I might have asked her the same question. Of course, they could be totally making out, just not on camera. But I didn’t think so. There was too much uncertainty in Michael’s gaze whenever he looked at her. Maybe Bella really was just doing the show to help the town and she wasn’t romantically interested in Michael. Yet there wasan emotional tension in the air when they were in the room together. Maybe she knew she’d be leaving in January and didn’t want to mess with Michael’s feelings any more than she already had.

For whatever reason, the viewers had finally put the good hometown guy with the bad hometown girl. I’d finally managed to get paired on an actual date with Michael.

Yay?

I bit back a frustrated sigh. Why wasn’t I even the tiniest bit excited about it?

J-Bird, you have no feelings for Michael.

Sean scratched his head. “The Diane/Tripp pairing is new. Could be pretty funny.”

I snapped myself out of my pathetic meanderings. “True.” Diane had already proven she was a wild card. Led by #RozNGod, she was growing quite the online fan club. Tripp would do anything to extend his fifteen minutes of fame, so lots of potential there.

“Brian and Mabel again?” I clapped my hands together. I’d been hoping that would happen.

Sean nodded. “I know. They’re both so nice. Mabel brings snacks and drinks for the crew every single time. Brian stays late to help us carry the camera equipment to our cars. I like seeing them together.”

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