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Christmas At The Hunt Hotel

Page 62

by Carrie Elks

She doesn’t have to say it, but I know what she’s hinting at. He’s our weak link. “Of course.” I glance at my watch. I have two more meetings this afternoon and then I’m free. And all I can think about is spending the evening with Georgia. “Thank you for looking into things.”

“It’s my job, and you pay me enough for it.” She shrugs. “Thanks for coming by. I hope it didn’t take too much of your time. I just felt some things are better in person.”

“Of course.” I stand and check my phone. Still no message from Georgia. Maybe my mother’s scared her off completely. I reach out my hand to her. “Have a good Christmas,” I tell her.

“You too,” she says, shaking my proffered hand. “Hopefully it’ll be a quiet one for us both.”

GEORGIA

I’m just closing my laptop when there’s a knock at my door. I’m shocked to see it’s almost seven-thirty. After Theo’s mother dropped me off at the hotel, I spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening writing out my thoughts and shaping up the proposal. I sent it over to Sam an hour ago, and he replied back with a couple of suggestions. So I’ve made some changes and emailed the new and improved wording off and now I feel like I can breathe.

When I open the door, Theo is leaning on the doorframe, wearing the same suit he was in this morning. Though his tie is gone. There are smudges under his eyes, not quite shadows, but he looks tired anyway.

“I’m a bit early,” he says. “I finished my meeting and came straight here. Tell me if you’re still working and need me to come back in a bit.”

“It’s fine. I just finished,” I say. “Come in.”

He smells like a mixture of rain and cologne as he walks past me. “Tell me you’ve had a better afternoon than I have,” he says, leaning down to kiss the corner of my lips.

I don’t think I’ll ever get over how my heart leaps every time he does.

“Does being grilled by your mom at lunch count?” I ask lightly when he pulls back.

He grimaces. “No, not really. Sorry, was it awful?”

I step forward, sliding my hands on his chest. God, he’s so warm and firm. Then I pull off his jacket and put it on the chair next to him.

“It wasn’t that bad. And she picked up the check so I’d say it’s a win.”

“Talking of bills,” he says, “I haven’t paid for the dress. I called them and they said you took care of it.”

“It’s my dress.” I shrug.

“And I want to pay.”

I lift a brow. “You can take it off my hotel bill,” I tell him. He rolls his eyes.

Ooh, he’s grumpy Theo tonight. I try not to smile. “Have you eaten?”

“No. You? Want me to book a table somewhere?”

I shrug. “How about we order in. I hear the food is passable here.”

He smirks. “Passable?”

I shrug. “Well it isn’t Harrods’ rooftop restaurant, but I guess it’ll do.”

“I hear the company is better.” He lifts a brow. “What would you like to eat?” he asks, grabbing his phone.

“How about I order us a pizza,” I say. “And while we’re waiting for it you can take a shower. You look exhausted.”

“I don’t have a change of clothes,” he points out.

“There’s a robe hanging in the bathroom with your name on it. Literally.” I incline my head at the door.

For the first time his lips twitch. I love that he gets my humor. Even if his mom doesn’t.

“Are you sure that’s okay?”