Page 13 of Babies for the Christmas Grump

Today, I’ve been living off snack bags of pretzels and the occasional apple from the front desk, and it’s not been enough.

Tinsel meows at my side, in agreement. She’s probably starving, too, though I suspect she’s mostly annoyed that I’m not giving her any of my snack crumbs.

I make my way toward the lobby bar, distracted by the thought of a proper meal, maybe a salad? Or a sandwich? Anything that doesn’t come in a bag that you can rip open with your teeth.

The lobby is quieter now, with only a few guests milling around, but it gives the feel of walking through a holiday ad.

Then, in my distracted state, hungry, tired, and with the mental image of a turkey sandwich dancing in my head, I do the most graceful thing ever.

I crash right into something… or someone.

“Ow!” I yelp, feeling myself stumble back, arms flailing in a way that I can only describe as completely not graceful.

Of course, it’s him.

Ryder.

His icy blue eyes look at me with barely contained amusement as he steadies me with one hand. “Are you always this clumsy, or is today just special?”

I look up at him, my face flushing with the sudden awareness of everything. I’ve literally just walked straight into the last man I should be running into right now. Why do I keep doing this to myself?

“I’m not clumsy!” I protest, though I’m not sure I’m convincing anyone, least of all myself. “I was distracted by, um, important business.”

He raises an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. “Important business? At the snack counter?”

I groan internally. “Right. Because snacks are the foundation of any successful enterprise.”

His lips twitch, but he doesn’t say anything, continues holding me steady as if he’s waiting for me to find my balance. Both literally and figuratively.

“Thanks,” I mutter, trying to stand a little taller and less as if I just stumbled out of a slapstick comedy. I straighten my dress, which, of course, is now probably all wrinkled from my crash landing. “I’m not usually this off balance.”

He doesn’t look convinced, but there’s a hint of something in his eyes. Amusement? Curiosity? Maybe even a touch of empathy?

Anyway, I don’t have time for that.

I am a business owner,and I need to act like it.

I clear my throat. I can do this. I’m a grown woman. I don’t need to be affected by him.

“Well,” I say, gathering up all the courage I can, “just so we’re clear, last night, you… it was a mistake.”

There it is. The words tumble out before I can think twice, and I instantly regret them. But it’s out there now.

I just need to try to ignore the burning in my cheeks.

Ryder blinks once, his jaw tightening imperceptibly, but his face stays cool, as if I’m just another business transaction to him.

“Then don’t make it twice,” he replies, cold as ice.

Well, isn’t that charming?

I want to say more. Fire back. But all that comes to mind is how good he looks when he’s being all distant and professional.

Damn him.

Damn the whole thing.

I try to shake it off, but my feet are already moving before my brain can stop them. I turn on my heel, my heart still pounding.