Page 26 of 27 Kisses

And that’s when I stop listening altogether.

Nat laughs. And I can still hear her laughter after she shuts the door.

As I focus on answering emails, writing invoices, and ordering inventory, I’m too busy to stress about Christmas, Aidyn, or my family.

A knock startles me. I stare at the door because Nat rarely knocks. There’s another knock, but still no one enters. “Come in.”

The door swings open and Nat is standing there grinning at me. “Hey, boss. You have a visitor.”

I don’t normally get visitors. Usually, only irate clients—mamas of the bride—but not visitors. I stand and walk around my desk. “A visitor?”

She steps into the room, and Aidyn follows her, looking gorgeous in an argyle sweater that matches his green eyes. He gives me a little wave, and my heart does this tumbling thing. How can I still be falling for this man?

“Aidyn, um…hi. What are you doing here?”

His smile seems shy, but Aidyn is never shy. Is he worried I’ll be upset?

“You said you’d be done working by eleven, and we’re past that. Figured I’d need to drag you out.”

“You’re not wrong.” Nat smirks.

“Don’t you have somewhere else to be?”

“Nope. Hey, Christy, boss man says the entire clan will be at his house for Christmas. Does that include Ramon?”

I give her a look. “Nat?—”

“I’m just asking.”

Aidyn watches us with a line of confusion on his forehead. “Ramon spends Christmas with his mom and sisters. He gets enough of my grumpiness at work.”

“Right. Of course.” Nat nods along. “So, no girlfriend?”

“Nat,” I say in a sharp tone. “Stop pestering him. If you want to know about Ramon, go talk to the man.”

“Got it.” She taps on her phone while mumbling, “Go after what you want.”

Why can’t I fire her again?

“Go away.”

She laughs, waves to Aidyn, and walks out, leaving the door wide open.

If I blushed, my face would be red. Not just because of Nat and her lack of respect for boundaries or privacy or authority, but because having Aidyn here in my space, at my work, makes me feel…so much. I gesture to the door, and he closes it.

His grin widens. “Nice office.”

“Thanks.” I shake my head. “You see what I have to put up with?”

“I do.” Still grinning, he walks over to the TARDIS. “Doing some time traveling?”

“I wish.” But my words stop me. If I could time-travel, would I change anything? Giving up Aidyn without a fight? Emily dying? That’s the hardest one. Would I save Emily, knowing I’d lose Aidyn?”

His eyes soften. “It was a joke, love.”

“I know.” I slip my hand in his and pull him closer. No way am I going to bring Aidyn down or add to his stress. “I’m looking forward to this.”

“Liar.”