page18 (1/2)

She walked swiftly, darting her way between displays and heading for the elevators But Finlay’s footsteps faltered It was likewhoosh!

Christmas everywhere Every display Everyoverhead Grace had even started singing along Did she even notice?

It was like Christmas overload

It was clear he’d unleashed the monster He hadn’t seen someone this enthusiastic about Christht get a horse She did—but it was around twelve inches

He pushed back the wave of ely head He’d chosen to be here He’d decided it was time to try and move forward The perpetual little ache he felt would always be there But should it really last for ever?

They walked through the tea hall that was jostling with people ‘I love the Christmas shop in here There’s soas they darted between shoppers

The lifts were small and lined ood He found himself face to face with her, their noses inches away from each other In this confined space he felt instantly protective, his hand reaching up and resting on her hip

She smiled and tipped her head to one side ‘Did you listen to a single word I said?’

He shook his head as the doors closed and the piped le word,’ he admitted

She gently slapped his chest ‘Shocker Well, remember only these words: I will not complain about the price’

He rolled his eyes ‘Grace, what are we buying in here?’

She still looked happy It was obvious Christ that she just loved ‘I told you Christarlands to decorate the foyer, the bar, the corridors, the restaurant and the elevators’ She counted theers

He blinked for a second Wreaths He’d forgotten how often they were used as Christmas decorations now It was almost as if the world had misplaced what they actually were

They were lucky: no one else rode to the top floor with theed and she looked over her shoulder ‘This is us’ She wiggled around, her backside pressing straight into him