All's Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon

Author:Sarah Monzon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christmas Fiction;Christian fiction;Romance fiction;Christmas fiction;Novels;FIC042040;FIC027290;FIC027020
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2023-06-22T00:00:00+00:00

16

Why can’t my brain work normally like everybody else’s? Why does it have to short-circuit all the time? Other people would have been able to look at Jeremy after he apologized, after he performed that wonderfully ridiculous dance number, and come up with something to say. Anything would have worked.

A simple I accept your apology, for example.

Or You and Lincoln should take your show on the road. Friendly teasing to reassure him I don’t hold any hard feelings. How can I, after he pranced around the office like a graceless gazelle, flailing around with such confidence? Never once did he appear as if he’d do anything to escape. He looked awkward, but nothing in his countenance said he felt uncomfortable with his inelegance. How was that even possible?

He’d stolen the breath right from my lungs the moment he’d tiptoed center stage. For starters, I’ve never seen so much of Jeremy before. Glimpses of his forearms when he rolls up his sleeves is the extent of skin he normally shows. Who knew he’s been hiding such a toned body beneath all his oxford-style dress shirts? But besides the revelation that I’m even more physically attracted to Jeremy than I originally thought, what really made my heart pinch is the fact that he was there because of me. He made a spectacle of himself . . . for me.

Maybe I should be glad the lines of communication between my brain and mouth were momentarily severed. At least I didn’t say something I’d regret. Like: I’ll be thinking about this moment for the rest of my life. Or: I could easily fall in love with you. Or even more horrifying: I might already be halfway there.

My pulse quickens just thinking such a thing, and I place my hand on my chest, my heart pounding beneath my palm. My fingers shake, so I close them into a fist.

I hate this feeling. This jittering of nerves that overtakes me. How can I ever tell Jeremy about my growing feelings for him if I can’t even respond to his apology when he’s standing in front of me?

If only I weren’t such a train wreck.

I press my back to the wall and slide down until I’m sitting on the hard concrete floor. Like a coward, I’m hiding in the stairwell. I’ve descended two levels and am tucked into an alcove between the seventh and sixth floors. If Jeremy or Keri come looking for me, they won’t be able to see me here. Hopefully they’ll assume I went outside for some fresh air.

I take my phone out of my pocket and open the Bible app even though I have the particular verse I want to read memorized. My screen fills with the words from Philippians.

Do not be anxious about anything,

I close my eyes. Take a deep breath in through my nose. Will the swirling chaotic thoughts in my head to still. My erratic pulse to quiet.

Nothing changes. I open my eyes and continue reading.

but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.

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