“I don’t know who you are,” I went on, my voice trembling a little, “and I know a few agents have come through here, trying to banish you or cleanse the inn. But I see you.” I took a slow breath. “I didn’t love the whole mirror-writing thing from lastnight or being terrorized by an oil painting… but I think we’re the same somehow.”
The light flashed again, and more mistletoe fluttered to the tabletop. Then he faded into the shadows, leaving me alone with my gift.
Chapter 19
Valerie
The sun had dippedlow enough to stain the snowy landscape amber when I heard Grant’s car crunch over the drive.
Suddenly, my palms were sweating. I shook out my hands and paced in front of the parlor hearth like a woman bracing for the unknown.
This wasn't a date.
It wasn't.
But the fire crackled. The Christmas tree glittered. And the air smelled like the pine candles I'd lit as if I were prepping for a client's magical meet-cute. One candle was cozy. Ten strategically placed ivory pillars at varying heights that was mood lighting.
Andthatfelt like a date.
The front door swung open, a gust of cold air curling through the lobby before he stepped inside. Grant had a scarf wrapped high around his cheeks, his hair dusted with snowflakes he shook off as he stamped his boots on the mat.
“Hey,” he said, spotting me through the archway.
Was it weird that I’d changed since this morning? Not that I’d packed a cocktail gown for a haunted getaway, but I hada cute sweater dress, the fine knit threaded with silver that caught the firelight. Black heels gave me a few extra inches and made my calves look like I actually knew what the termleg daymeant.
I even spent a few extra minutes on my hair. Okay, fine. Thirty minutes. A few for the curling wand to warm up, the rest turning my waist-length hair into gleaming, silken waves.
I smoothed my palms down my dress, pretending I wasn’t silently willing him to notice.
He paused mid-boot stamp. His eyes skimmed from my heels to my knees—hesitated just long enough to make the air thin in my chest—then traveled up to my face.
Oh… he noticed.
His mouth curved. “You dressed up for me, Spells?”
I crossed my arms, determined not to melt faster than the snow on his shoulders. “Just wanted to look my best while you wash the dishes after my holiday gift victory.”
He tugged the scarf loose, revealing more of that crooked, lethal smile. “Or maybe I’ll be the one watching you rinse glasses in heels.”
The way he said it made me think I was standing too close to the fire, flames licking up my back. But I was still in the archway with the draft of blustery air.
“I guess we’ll see.” I lifted the silver box containing his present. The bow and the mistletoe looked almost professional. “Don’t be ashamed if all you could manage was newspaper wrapping.”
He hung his jacket on the hook and pulled gently at the knit of his sweater, loosening the fabric molded over his chest.
Holy Menswear Catalogs. Who knew cable knit could hot-wire my brain?
“Newspaper is timeless,” he said. “And recyclable. Some would be impressed with my commitment to saving the planet.”
“What’s next, the whales?”
“They just need the right theme song. That animal-adoption commercial gets me every time.”
I blinked. My heart did a weird little stutter. The animal-adoption commercial? There was no way Grant Delaney had accidentally wandered onto the last item on my soulmate list.
But he had.
“Yeah. Me too. I like cats... a lot.” My eyes crossed, but somehow, I kept going. “Black ones. Or tabbies. You know, if they have those.”
