"We will never marry," I told her. "You're insane."
"I don't know why you treat me like this, Jack. I am the only person who loves you," Hartleigh said, wrapping her arms around my neck.
"No, you don't," I said, unwrapping her limbs. Where was the security guard?
Someone banged on the glass. It was the drunk Santa.
"I have to deal with this," I told Hartleigh.
She latched onto me, physically trying to drag me back. I couldn't hurt her; that wouldn't look good. Then I really could kiss my tower goodbye. Milo snapped at her, and she let me go.
As I opened the door, I had a deviously clever idea.
"Are you looking for Hartleigh?" I asked the homeless Santa, turning my head meaningfully and looking back at my stalker.
The Santa gave me an exaggerated wink.
"Sure," he slurred.
"Great. Hartleigh, your friend is here to see you!" I called out, pushing him in her direction.
She shrieked as the drunk stumbled over to her. "Jack!" she yelled, trying to get around him. I smirked as she cursed when he patted her shoulder.
"We're meant to be together," Hartleigh said. "I talked to your parents. They want me to be the mother of your children."
"My parents are crazy. And honestly, I'm crazy for even interacting with you."
"You're mine, Jack Frost," she said with unnerving intensity right before she swept away into an elevator.
"Thanks, man," I told the Santa and handed him twenty dollars. "You can sleep in here if you want. Just don't mess with the decorations."
"I wouldn't," he said. "That girl, Chloe, did them. I like her."
I smiled at him. "I like her too."
"I thought that pretty baker was your girlfriend," Santa said. "What're you doing with that witch?"
I looked in the direction of the elevators and replied, "Just a ghost of Christmas past."
25
Chloe
Jack had left me frazzled. Even though I took a shower when I returned to the shared apartment after the meeting Dana had called, I still felt off kilter.
"What is he playing at?" I asked Nina.
"I don't think he's playing at anything. He's a billionaire. He knows what he wants, and he's going after her."
I groaned and flopped down on my bed. I sort of wished I had given in and slept with Jack. However, I had lied when I said he didn't scare me. Being the center of attention on social media was one thing. The screen was a buffer between me and my followers. But Jack was right there in the same room. He sawme. What if he didn't like the real Chloe?
The next morning, after very little sleep, we assembled in the studio for the next challenge.
"Welcome back for another episode ofTheGreat Christmas Bake-Off," Anastasia said to the cameras. "Alcohol in various forms has been served during Christmas. Be it eggnog with rum, spiced wine, or the special family Christmas punch, alcohol plays a part in making the holiday season bright. If you have trouble with your family, then alcohol makes the holidays bearable."
"Amen!" Nick said. I chuckled along with the other contestants then made the mistake of sneaking a look to Jack. He wasn't laughing. Instead, he was staring intently at me. I felt flushed again.
"Bakers, grab your ingredients. We look forward to seeing what you create."
