Page 63 of A Christmas Maker

I thought it would be uncomfortable and downright miserable to have him so close again. However, I didn’t expect for him to give me enough breathing space when at these charity events to feel like he’s not intruding too much. The fact he seems to genuinely enjoy being here and helping others says a lot as well.

And Aillard and King, while they have their moments, aren’t the same people as they were almost a decade ago. I’m sure in some instances they are, especially when it comes to blackmailing or blackballing people, but otherwise they’ve matured more than I ever thought was possible.

Glancing through the kitchen window, I spy Thorin with the same little group of boys from the first time he came, gathered around a table and animatedly doing homework as they regale him with stories from their school days. He takes it all in stride, smiling and nodding at them, offering undivided attention when necessary. The simple image in front of me makes my heart painfully thump in my chest. Because right here, right now, I realize with stark clarity I’m in the midst of falling for Thorin Ravenscroft.Again.

And I’m scared shitless.

Almost like he knows I’m thinking about him, his gaze swings my direction. The smile he’s sporting becomes a little softer, the crinkles around his eyes deepening as though the look of me watching him makes his heart beat a little harder too. Maybe I’m not the only one feeling this and I’m not the only one scared.

He lifts his hand in a shy wave, but it gathers the boys’ curiosity. Immediately they swing their heads to see what’s captured Thorin’s attention. All at once their little hands shoot into the air, beckoning me over with ferocity.

“Ms. Bex!” A chorus rings out as the boys chant my name.

“You should go help Thorin,” Nana Noel advises. “Before the children riot.”

“I don’t want anyone throwing food tonight,” Rita yells through the window. The boys have the audacity to look affronted as if they’ve never regularly thrown food at one another before. She points to her eyes before turning them on the boys, silently sayingI’m watching you.

Shaking my head at their antics, I step away from the counter and make my way towards the main room where all the children are located. A few of the adult volunteers give me amused looks as I make my way towards the homework table.

Slipping into the empty seat beside Thorin, I bump my shoulder lightly into him in greeting. “Is there a reason you had your little crew call me over?”

He smiles sheepishly. “I could see through the window how everyone seemed to be ganging up on you. I caught a little of what was being said when I got closer and figured I’d set the record straight. I don’t want anyone thinking ill of you based on the article that came out the other week.”

Ah, so he heard all the bombarding questions the grannies were asking me. “You didn’t have to intervene,” I say softly. “They would have left me alone when they realized our story isn’t all that interesting.”

“On the contrary, I think our story is very interesting.” Thorin smiles, reaching up to brush my hair behind my ear. “And I meant what I said in the kitchen about trying to give you the word.”

Quietly, I look at the kids doing their homework with looks of concentration on their faces, and lean closer to Thorin so only he can hear me, “You shouldn’t have said that. We just started–”

“No, Bex, we didn’t just start anything. We’re dating right now, yes, but we aren’t starting over from scratch. I think we’re both responsible and reasonable enough to call this what it is. We aren’t in our early twenties anymore looking for hookups. We want to find people to spend our lives with. I’m not saying we’re going to end up together in the long run, but I can promise you right now I very much want to be in a closed, committed relationship with someone who’s opinion and morals matter to me.”

We stare at each other silently, the scribbles of pencil on paper the only thing in the air. No one butts into our conversation and the kids seem none the wiser about the seriousness surrounding them. Our eyes stay locked, trying to convey the things our mouths won’t say, as we take a few seconds longer to draw this out.

I blow out a breath in resignation. Thorin’s declaration is something I needed, whether I like admitting it to myself or not. I need validation that this time is different and I’m not wasting my time once again. After the way our past blew up in our faces before, it makes me hesitate to leap in with both feet to these feelings stirring up inside of me. Yet now, with his confirmation that this is real for both of us, I feel better about where we are since we seem to be on the same page.

“Your opinion matters too,” I whisper.

“Good. Then we’re not alone,” Thorin murmurs, reaching for my hand under the table to squeeze tightly. “Does this mean Nana Noel will be expecting me at Sunday family dinner?”

I snort before I can help myself. “I didn’t get the chance to inform her before you butted your way into my conversation. But after everything you said? Yeah, she’ll be expecting a lot from you.”And so will I.

18

“Doing the right thing is not easy, but sometimes necessary.” - Thorin

Staring at the glass doors to Hastings Center, I find myself unsure of whether my current appointment with the CEO is a good idea or not. Do I want to be in the same room as Bex’s father? No. Is it an evil necessity that I need to address? Sadly yes.

At least when I’m done here, I’ll be able to grab Bex for a quick lunch before her weekend starts. She’ll probably have a few choice words to say about my being here, but I’m hoping this doesn’t come up in conversation so we can have a nice lunch. At least this way Sunday won’t be as awkward.

Deciding I’ve wasted enough time standing here, I open the door into the grandiose marble foyer and begin my trek towards the elevator bank directly ahead. A security guard nods to me, not bothering to stop and see if I need directions. No, I bet Mr. Hastings made sure everyone down here was aware of my arrival when I called to schedule an appointment. However, I’d bet my entire bank account that Bex has no idea I’m here.

Stepping into the elevator, I press the circular button for the top floor and wait impatiently for the metal box to rise to the floor I selected. It takes far longer than I thought it would, but as soon as the doors open, I sigh.

This floor is a carbon copy of the main foyer. Everything looks rich and posh. This floor is built to impress those of my caliber and lure me into a false sense of security. I doubt Mr. Hastings is as sinister as Bex believes him to be. After all, he played a part in raising her and if she has any bit of him in her, then I don’t think he’s as vicious as many believe.

I stop next to Aggie’s desk, Nana Noel’s close friend, and her son-in-law’s assistant. Bex didn’t inform me about any of this, but Aillard’s background into this company and Bex’s position proved rather forthcoming in information. “Good morning, I have an appointment for ten with Mr. Hastings.”

“Thorin,” Aggie grins. “How good of you to show up promptly. Does Noel know you’re here?”

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