“And probably pile paperwork on your grave,” I muttered.
Stephen smirked. “Probably. So, coadvisor. What do you say to grabbing a meal and going through this mess with me?” He held up the stack of wrinkled, out-of-order, coffee-stained papers.
“Uh… can it wait until tomorrow?” I asked, hesitant.
“It could, but I was hoping tomorrow’s dinner would be unrelated to work.”
I looked down at the faded linoleum. “I tried to tell you earlier today, but… I’m going to have to cancel our date.” I glanced up again.
Stephen looked a bit surprised, but he smiled and nodded to himself. “I’m too old?” he guessed.
“What? No. I’m not picky about age.”
“Because we work together?” he continued.
“No,” I said. “It’s nothing like that.”
Stephen narrowed his eyes a bit, giving me a once-over. “I was too late,” he concluded.
“A bit. I asked a guy out on Sunday and got an answer last night. We were going to go on a date tonight.”
“That’s understandable.”
“Is it?”
“Yeah. It beats you not being interested in me.”
I smiled. “There’ssomethingabout this guy. I really want to see where it goes.”
“Who is it, if you don’t mind my asking?” Stephen held up his free hand. “Scout’s honor it stays between us.”
“Felix Hansen.”
Stephen blinked. “Snowy Ridge, Felix Hansen?”
“Yeah.”
“Huh.”
“What?”
“I always thought he was a confirmed bachelor. You know he has a kid, right?”
“I know.”
“Have fun,” Stephen said sweetly. “I mean that. You better go before you’re late.”
I checked my watch. “Oh my God.” I ran for the door. “See you tomorrow!” I shouted over my shoulder.
Chapter Five
20 Days Until Christmas
I SHEDclothes as I ran up the stairs and into the bedroom. No time for a shower, but the least I could do was wear something classier than what I taught in all day. With the exception of bright blue briefs and striped socks, I was naked, throwing this and that out of dresser drawers until I unearthed a pair of tight black jeans. I’d barely shimmied into the things when the doorbell echoed through the house.
Six o’clock on the dot. Felix didn’t fuck around.
I buttoned the jeans and bolted back down the stairs. I unlocked the door, opened it, and a rush of cold air hit my bare chest—instant goose bumps and perky nipples. “Come in,” I said. “I just got home. I’m almost ready.”
