Page 64 of Chasing The Alpha's Son
“You should have seen his face.” I stare into the white drops of icing denoting the eyes, nose, and mouth of my gingerbread man. “He looked like…like he’d been betrayed.” I snap off the head and shove it in my mouth.
“He’s a dick; Aisha was right about him.”
I roll over and sit up, facing away from Katie, rubbing my neck.
“You know I’ll be here,” she says, shuffling over so that she’s beside me. “If Clayton does tell people, I’ll be here.”
“Thanks, Squishface.”
“We have a bit of time until the pack dinner—”
“Oh no!” I throw my face into my hands. “I forgot about the dinner. Do we have to wear fancy clothes?”
“I’m afraid so,” she says, rubbing my back, playing along. “And I heard there might be dancing afterward.”
“Nooooooo!”
“I know it’s not your idea of the perfect Christmas night, but that’s why I was thinking we have just enough time for a movie.”
We turn to look at each other and say in perfect unison, “The Grinch!”
Instantly, we spring into action. Katie builds a pile of pillows for us to sit up against on the bed, while I grab my laptop.
“Okay, Whoville, let’s go,” I say once we’re situated on the mattress. And I’m about to hit Play when there’s a knock on the door.
With a questioning glance at Katie, I hop up to see who it is.
“Oh, hey,” I say, shocked to find Jasper standing on the opposite side of the door—my door. He’s already dressed for dinner in a tailored black suit, with satin lapels, a white turtleneck, and patent leather shoes.
“Hi.”
Instinctively I step toward him, and he backs up ever so slightly, glancing down both ends of the hall.
“It’s fine,” I say. “I’m the only one on this level.”
He presses his lips together awkwardly. “Can I come in?”
“Sure.”
Japer follows me in, shutting the door behind him, but stops when he spots Katie. He clears his throat.
“It’s okay,” I say, a little sharply. “She knows.”
Gently, Katie shuts the computer.
“I’ll give you two some space,” she says, sliding her legs off the bed.
“You don’t have to,” I say, sort of pissed that Jasper backed away from me after what happened in the cabin, and that another of mine and Katie’s traditions has been interrupted.
“I need to get ready for dinner anyway,” she says. “I’ll see you downstairs.”
She shoots me a knowing look then slips past Jasper.
“Have fun.”
As soon as the door shuts I realize this is the first time Jasper has come to find me, in my space. He’s in my room and I don’t know what to say. Part of me wants to walk up to him and kiss again, just like we did in the ranger station. But the energy is different and I’m worried if I do he’ll reject me.
“I’m sorry—”
