Bryce squinted, but his lip twitch gave away he wasn’t really annoyed. For the next half hour or so, we had a steady stream of customers so we were both busy wrapping. The next time we had a lull in the line, I stretched my arms over my head.
“So what’s your deal, Bryce? What do you do when you’re not stealing toys from unsuspecting single moms, or schmoozing green-eyed old ladies?”
“I work in a family business.”
I raised a brow. “Vague much? Is it the mafia or something?”
He chuckled. “No. If you must know, I was being ambiguous to avoid admitting you were right.”
“Of course I was. But what was I right about?”
“Your comments. Earlier you’d said I was entitled because I probably come from money, and then what you said about bowling a little while ago. I’m not admitting I’m entitled, or that bowling is for blue-collar workers, but if I told you that my family owned a string of stores, it would just validate what you already thought of me and you’d gloat.”
The biggest, most obnoxious smile spread across my face. “Your family owns a string of stores...”
Bryce rolled his eyes. “Gloater.”
“Entitled.”
The corners of his lip twitched again. “Nut job.”
I laughed. “Alright, so I might have come off a little crazy earlier. I’ll give you that much. But you don’t know what I’ve been through trying to get that damn toy. I spend an hour on websites every morning trying to find one online, and then I run here after school every day to see if any came back in stock. It’s not easy being a single parent.”
Bryce scanned my face, and his grew serious. “No, I’m sure it’s not. Do you mind if I ask what happened to your son’s dad?”
I sighed. “He was in a car accident. On Christmas morning, actually.”
“Shit. I’m sorry.”
“Thank you. It was four years ago. My son was just a toddler. Will went out to get some batteries for a toy that I’d bought our son—a toy that he wasn’t even big enough to play with yet—and the police knocked on my door an hour later.”
“Jesus, Holly. That’s awful. And here I am being a jerk to you on Christmas Eve.” Bryce raked a hand through his hair. “I can’t even imagine how hard the holidays are for you.”
I forced a smile. “Yeah, I think that’s why I always overdo it for my son. I want him to have anything and everything since I can’t give him the one thing he’d probably want more than anything.” I felt myself getting emotional, which I didn’t want to do, so I was relieved when a customer walked up to our table. She had a cart with a few items.
“I will give you the fattest tip if you can get these done in five minutes. I’m late to meet my boyfriend’s parents for the first time.”
The woman had been standing in front of Bryce, yet he waved her off and stood. “Holly here will have to take care of you. She’s faster. Plus, I need to go to the men’s room.”
I don’t know why, but I got the distinct feeling that Bryce had just bowed out so I could get the fat tip the woman had mentioned, and I had mixed feelings about that. Of course, I wanted to take home that stupid robot, but I also didn’t want sympathy. So when he came back, I couldn’t help but say something.
“I don’t want to sound unappreciative, but if you just went to the bathroom so I could get that tip because you feel bad for me—I’d rather win on my own.”
Bryce’s eyes flickered to my lips before returning to me
et mine. “Perhaps my motives weren’t as altruistic as you might think…”
Bryce
There was no way I could take that damn robot from her now that she’d told me her husband freaking died on Christmas.
I’d have to figure something else out for that little boy I’d promised to find one for. Maybe after Christmas it would be easier to snatch one up. A lot of people probably hoarded them, and someone was bound to return one. I’d come back and stand guard when the store opened the day after Christmas if I had to. Hopefully, he’d be okay with a belated gift. It’s the thought that counts, right?
I could’ve just ended this now and told Holly I was going to give her the robot. But then she’d leave, and I might never see her again. I was enjoying getting to know her despite the crazy start we had. And let’s be honest, I found myself insanely attracted to her. Her skin was so smooth, her blond hair like silk. Her eyes were a deep blue, the color of a dark ocean. And her body made me think thoughts that weren’t appropriate to have about someone’s mother. So, yeah, I decided to keep this game going a little while longer, even though I knew I was ultimately going to let her win.
My line was empty while Holly wrapped a simple tie box to my left. She had this habit of running her tongue along the corner of her mouth whenever she was concentrating. It was adorable and sexy at the same time.
I bit the bullet and asked, “Are you single, Holly?”