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She blinked and then spoke again ‘Clio doesn’t take kindly to her staff being yelled at’

‘I didn’t yell,’ he replied instantly

‘Yes, you did,’ she said firmly

She bent down and picked up the broken strand of lights ‘I’m sorry you don’t appreciate the Christot them from the baseain ‘I often think hotels can be a little impersonal It can be lonely this time of year—particularly for those who are apart froive the room—’ she held up her hands ‘—a little personality That’s all A feeling of Christ to be argumentative He could tell from the expression on her face that she meant every word

His sto to avoid He didn’t want to feel Christs’ That was the whole point of being here

He wanted The Ar to look sleek and exclusive He’d purposely ren of Christmas from this hotel He didn’t need reminders of the time of year

For the first tiret Not for hi in front of him who clearly had demons of her own

She pressed her lips together and started picking up the other decorations She could move quickly when she wanted to The red baubles were swept from above the bathroom mirror—he hadn’t even noticed the on her trolley The bohatever it as tipped into the bin

Her face was tight as sheevery trace of Christ of holly—she turned to face him

‘What is it you have against Christmas anyway?’ She was annoyed Upset even