Page 7 of Not Home Alone

“Well, he wasn’t supposed to rent it out in December.”

“Well. He did.”

“Well, there’s been a misunderstanding.”

“I agree. The misunderstanding is that I have the paperwork to prove”—she waves her hands around very dramatically—“that this house belongs to me. For fourteen nights. I have paid a non-refundable deposit for it. I’m using a big chunk of my savings for this. And yet you are sadly confused about this matter and therefore must leave.”

I wrinkle my nose. “Is that how you talk now?”

“Is that how you don’t dress now?”

“Why are you so obsessed with the way I don’t dress?”

“I just thought for sure the son of the richest man in town could afford pants. I was also under the impression you stayed at your family’s estate when you’re here.”

“I usually do. Wear pants and stay at the estate. But there are too many other people there most of the time, which is why I secretly bought this house. So I could stay here when I’m in town. Without anyone in my family knowing. And without wearing pants if I don’t want to.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “You don’t own this house.”

“You sure about that?”

“I definitely would have noticed if it said ‘Hosted by Holly Grove’s Biggest Dickhead’ on the listing.”

“Call me one of the top five dickheads—the biggest in Holly Grove is still my father. And why aren’t you staying with your father while you’re in town, anyway?”

She doesn’t immediately bark back at me, which is telling. “Stop trying to change the subject,” she finally says. “I can show you my rental agreement. I belong here. I’m going to take a bath here, and order dinner to be delivered here, and then I’m going to sit in front of the fire, and I am going to eat and read. And then, after I’ve had a long, wonderful sleep in the main bedroom⁠—”

“Nope.”

“—I will wake up and redecorate this entire property to the manner in which it deserves to be decorated⁠—”

“No.”

“—because I’m guessing you’re the Grinch who stole all the Christmas lights!”

I shrug. “Wasn’t easy, but I was thorough.”

She runs her fingers through her shiny hair, rage-laughing. “Oh my god! Of course. Of course you would ruin this for me.”

“That is surprisingly self-centered of you, Tucker. I’m pretty sure you’re the one who’s ruining this for me.”

“Okay, that’s it.” She stomps in my direction, veering as far away from me as she can while storming through to the foyer. She picks up the bag that’s on the floor in front of the suitcase. “I have the papers right here. If I show you, will you leave?”

“No.” I stroll over to join her, yawning and stretching. “I believe you about the rental agreement. My business manager in New York, who is the trustee of the revocable trust I set up when I bought this house, was supposed to tell Conan⁠—”

“Colin.”

“—Colin, the property manager—that he’s not supposed to rent this house out for the rest of December. On behalf of the people who work for me and made mistakes, I apologize for the confusion. I will personally reimburse you for the deposit you paid. Please consider the rental agreement canceled. Do you have Venmo or Zelle? I don’t have cash on me. Also, I’m going to have you sign a non-disclosure agreement because no one can know that I own this house.”

“No to all of that.”

She doesn’t even take one second to consider any of what I just said. I respect her determination to get what she wants. She’s not going to get what she wants, but I respect it. Sighing, I comb my fingers through my hair. It’s a move that worked on her ten years ago and I’m positive it will have an even bigger effect on her now that I’m shirtless. “Listen…” She doesn’t even blink. She appears to be thoroughly unmoved. I rub the back of my neck, so she can get a better look at my biceps and anterior deltoid. “It’s been a long day. Why don’t I see if there’s a room available at the inn? I will not only reimburse you for the deposit, but I will also pay for your stay at whichever local accommodation you’d like to stay at.”

She is, as predicted, absolutely mesmerized by the arm porn. Then she shakes her head and says, “Great, thanks!” And then she gathers up the puffer coat and various winter accessories under one arm. Then she grabs the shoulder bag and the handle of the rolling suitcase in the same hand. Except, she doesn’t head for the door. She passes right by me and heads for the staircase. “I will gladly take your money, and I’d like to stay at this local accommodation.” She punctuates that statement with a sassy hair toss that causes her to stumble a little.

I stride over to place my hands on her upper back and arm so she doesn’t fall over. She catches her breath, looking over her shoulder at me as if my hands are on fire, scalding her through her sweater. The way her eyes light up triggers me to time travel back to that night I keep returning to in my mind. I can see by the way her eyelashes flutter that she’s going there too. And then those big brown eyes go cold and her pouty lips form one determined straight line. She shrugs me away and proceeds to march up the stairs.

I follow her.