“Why is everyone pushing their way into my office today? I’m seriously trying to get some work done around here.”
“Doeseveryoneinclude a certain Christmas tree farmer? And what were you guys doing in this office?”
“Do you really want me to tell you or do you want to use your imagination?”
Mia’s eyes grew large behind her glasses as though she was imagining something and, whatever it was, it was good.
“Stop it. We just kissed once…or twice. I don’t remember.”
Her best friend released an embarrassing squeak, covering her mouth with her hands.
She rolled her eyes. “M, come on. You act like I just told you I was getting married or something. This isn’t a big deal. I’m not a romantic like you.”
“Okay, wait. Let me think this through.” She put a hand up for Natalie to stop talking. “He brought you another ornament. It’s a reindeer snow tubing and you guys went snow tubing so he’s obviously picking these ornaments with purpose. Plus, he came to see you in your office and you were worried someone could hear you through the wall so either you were exchanging secrets in regards to espionage or this was the type of kissing that went beyond a friendly peck. Oh yeah, it’s all coming together for me.”
Natalie stared at her flatly. “Is there any way we can go with the secret spy theory? Otherwise I might hate you.”
“Come on. You know you can talk to me.”
She did know this. In spite of Mia’s ridiculous excitement over office kisses, she did trust her. But as soon as she told Mia the truth, her friend would also know she’d been right again because the woman was always right. Natalie held a warning finger toward her. “I’ll tell you, if you promise to get that funny grin off your face like you’re falling in love all over again.”
“Did I have this same expression when I was falling in love with Ross?”
“Yup. Exactly. But this situation is not like that one at all.”
Mia took a breath, running a graceful hand across her face as if to calm herself, schooling her features into something more neutral. “Okay. Fine,” she said. “Wait, let me sit down. And start at the snow tubing because you never told me anything.”
“All right. Are you ready? He took me snowtubing. It was fun. We kissed. And then he brought an ornament today and we kissed again. The end.”
Her friend frowned. “Wow. That was the worst story you’ve ever told. Even when you’re telling me about a disgruntled customer, your story has more flair than that.”
“Yeah, because I’m trying to convince you you’re being ridiculous. Mason wants me to continue working at Poinsettia Paradise, but I might talk to my uncle about sending someone else because this whole thing has gone too far.”
Mia leaned back in the office chair, pushing her glasses along her nose. “AndI’mthe ridiculous one who’s overreacting? How has it gone too far?”
The question threw Natalie. She expected some argument about how Enrique wasn’t going to let her off the assignment, a crush wasn’t worth blowing off a chance at a partnership, and this reaction might prove she didn’t deserve the title. She stuttered through an answer, but Mia stopped her.
“It’s only gone too farfor youbecauseyoudon’t want it to go anywhere at all. At least that’s what you keep telling yourself. But you like him—you know you do. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t kiss him at all. The only one who’s standing in your way right now is you.”
She covered her eyes with a palm. “I hate you.”
“I’m giving you the permission you won’t give yourself. It’s okay to get out of your own way, Natalie.”
