“I’m trying my best.”
But the reality was that Gileswasgetting to me. Despite my best efforts, he was under my skin. Maybe seeing him outside this lodge, in his real world, would force him to warm up to me.
ChapterThirteen
I wrappedmy new black coat tightly around my neck. Erin had dropped it off after we talked, and I was eternally grateful that I didn’t have to show up to this party rocking a neon orange and camouflage pattern.
The dish felt heavy in my hands. I had attempted to make cookies, but they came out slightly overdone. They were still edible, though, which was a win in my book. Garrett used to give me shit for being a lousy cook. I always reminded him that I had never seen him set foot in the kitchen in our entire eight years of dating, but he was quick to brush that fact off.
I was about to knock when footsteps approached behind me.
“You decided to come, huh?”
Giles stood behind me, dressed in his usual brown utility jacket and beanie. I hated how attractive he looked with his blonde curls poking out against his stubble.
“I was invited.” I smiled at him, determined to make tonight a turning point in our relationship.
He looked down at his boots and back up at me. “You’re pretty persistent.”
My eyebrows shot up at his comment. “Persistent because I took a job that was offered to me, or persistent because I came to a party that I was invited to?”
He smirked. “Fair.”
“Funnyyoucallingmepersistent.” I turned around.
Giles took a step up so that we were standing next to each other at the doorway. “What do you mean?”
“You’re the persistent one. You’re so stubborn. You know I’ve been doing a good job, and you know I’m not out here as some corporate villain. I’m a nice person, Giles. I promise.” I held up three fingers inside my mittens as if I was still in Girl Scouts. “If you’d just give me a chance, you’d see that.”
He broke eye contact and scratched the back of his head. “I know you’re not evil, Mattie.”
“Then pleas—”
We were interrupted by Johnny swinging open the door.
“Hey, there. I thought I heard someone talking out here. Did you two come together?” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Giles ignored the comment and pushed past him. “Nope, just a coincidence.”
“Hi, Johnny,” I said. “Where can I set this?”
“In the kitchen.” He gestured for me to follow him.
We walked through an open-concept living room that felt very homey, with matching plaid couches and a shag rug. A few people were milling about talking, and I could see more people bundled up outside in front of a large teepee of wood.
“We were just about to get the fire going. Make sure you get some hot chocolate.” Johnny grabbed Giles by the shoulder. “Come outside and help me with this thing.”
The two of them disappeared through the back door, and I made my way into the kitchen. I was happy to see Erin was in there already. She was by the stove stirring multiple pots.
“Mattie, I’m so glad you came.” She raised the non-stirring arm, and I rushed over to give her a side hug.
“Thanks for the invite. Your house is adorable.”
“Thanks. It was my grandparents’ house.”
“Wow, really? That’s so cool you’ve kept it in the family all these years.” I set down my cookies on the large laminate peninsula that separated the kitchen from the living room.
She shrugged. “It’s not that uncommon here.”
