Faking It with My Bossy Ex (Sweet Christmas Kisses)

7. Amy

Chapter 7

Amy

“You can’t possibly think that I’d stay in a room, alone, with you.” I stare Dylan down.

If I’m honest, the doghouse out front is looking more welcoming by the second. I bet Pepper would be easier to share with than Dylan.

“It won’t be so bad. I promise I don’t bite.” Dylan is having fun, way too much fun. If I could wipe that conceited smirk off his face …

“I won’t do it. When she comes back in here, I’m telling Mrs. Parker that you made all this up.” This was reckless, absolutely ridiculous. Agreeing to be a pretend couple with Dylan was like lighting a match in a room full of gasoline.

He probably still has that same peaceful expression when he sleeps. But I don't remember how cute he used to look asleep at all. And my brain is absolutely not still infatuated.

He steps closer, removing any distance between us. I can feel his chest moving up and down.

“Look outside, Amy. Snow is pouring down out there. There's not a hotel in town that has an empty room, not with all the travelers coming in for the fundraiser, not to mention all of those travelers are now snowed in with the rest of us. We either share a cabin, or we're going to be sharing this lobby.” He pauses. “I'm not particular about either option.”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. “I'll work with you on the fundraiser, Dylan, but we are definitely not sharing a room. I'll call Laura and see if I can stay with her.” Because Laura's tiny apartment can totally accommodate me and my emotional baggage.

Dylan puts his hand over mine, his touch sending an unwelcome jolt through me. “Ames, I know this isn't ideal, but have you looked outside? The snow's coming down hard. Even if Laura can take you in, it's not safe to drive in this weather. You might not even be able to make it to her place.”

I glance towards the window, seeing the thick curtain of snow falling. It's like a blizzard out there. My heart sinks as I realize he's right.

“Please, just for tonight, let me make sure you're safe. Tomorrow, when the weather clears, we can figure something else out.”

Why does he even care? He moved on easily enough, didn’t he? So why does he sound so genuine, so concerned?

It doesn’t make sense. Part of me wants to let him keep me safe tonight, like he used to. But another part knows better. Letting my guard down with Dylan is like letting my heart wander back into dangerous territory, and I’m not sure I’d survive another heartbreak.

“Here we are.” Mrs. Parker bustles back into the room, carrying a small guest book and a pair of keys. “You can fill out the details here while I get the room set up. How would you like to pay?”

Dylan extends his card, his arm touching mine. Little tingles make trails down my arm. My body still fits perfectly against his. His hugs are one of the things I’ve missed the most since we broke things off.

There’s a familiarness about being up against Dylan but also a strangeness, and I’m not sure how to mash the two together. Things are a blur as I scribble our names in the guest book and answer a little questionnaire. By the time I’m done, Dylan is getting his receipt, a triumphant smile on his handsome face.

“You’re all set. Enjoy your stay at Cozy Haven Inn!” Mrs. Parker chirps. I can’t bring myself to respond. Dylan leans in close as he turns me around and we head toward the door.

“Don’t worry, I promise to be a gentleman. Scout's honor,” he whispers into my hair. My heart jumps and I shove it back down.

“You were never a scout,” I jab my elbow into his ribs, and he can’t react other than a silent oomph or Mrs. Parker would see and would probably demand to give us a refund and save the room for a more deserving couple.

“Oh! Don’t forget to make time for the Christmas Couples Contest. I’m signing you up now, and I’m sure you have a great chance at winning.” Mrs. Parker’s words send a thrum of anxiety through me.

Couples Contest? What is happening? First, we are riding together, then working together, sharing a cabin, and now we’re supposed to participate in a couple's contest? I can’t, not for a warm bed, not to save face, not for …

I try to turn back to Mrs. Parker to tell her as much, but Dylan keeps his arm around me, guiding me out into the cold.

“Come on, Ames. Don’t be a stick in the mud. It’s just a Couples Contest,” he says once we’re outdoors.

“Just a Couples Contest? Do you even know Snowfall Springs? This contest is what people talk about for weeks. Everyone watches it. People are going to think that we’re an actual couple, and then we either get to pretend we are or we get to look like liars.”

My parents won this contest way back when it first started. My dad proposed at the end. It feels more serious to me than he’s making it out to be.

I start to pace, rubbing my hands up and down on my arms. Of course, I left my thick coat in Laura's car. Those seat warmers and toasty heater tricked me into thinking I'd be fine without it.

“So, we pretend we’re a couple. It’s ten days, Ames, not a six month sentence.” His grin widens and he pulls off his coat. He steps in close, his breath making a cloud of steam in the air.

He twirls the coat around me until it falls over my shoulders, his hands staying by my neck for an unnerving couple of seconds too long. The sudden warmth spreading through me is definitely just from the coat. Definitely not because of how his fingers brushed against my neck. Or how good he still smells.

“You’re going to catch a cold standing out here and arguing.” My teeth chatter in agreement.

His coat is like wearing a sleeping bag, and I’m pretty much a walking marshmallow at this point. At least I’m a warm marshmallow. The scent of cedar and warm leather tickles my nose. He looks like he might smell like an office building, or not at all, but I love how homey and comforting his scent is. It makes me want to …

No, I’m not going there.

“I left my suitcase in the lobby.” Apparently, my brain can't think of anything smarter to say.

“Don't worry about it. Clearly, you didn't notice me taking your suitcase. Come on. If you want to keep arguing, let's at least do it indoors. Now I'm the one without a coat.”

I fume. Who does he think he is, offering me his coat and then complaining about it? For a hot second, I'm tempted to dramatically fling his coat back at him. But ... yeah, no. My pride can take a backseat to not turning into an icicle. Pretty sure my fingers have gone on strike against this weather, anyway.

Dylan’s big coat keeps swallowing me up as we trudge down the path to the cabin. When number twenty-eight finally comes into view, my heart does a little happy dance in my chest.

I can see how temperatures and sleep deprivation are used as torture devices. They make you forget all your inhibitions, as I’m actually looking forward to getting inside, regardless of whether Dylan is going to be there or not.

When he turns the key in the door and pulls me inside, the sight in front of us makes my stomach queasy and I almost pass out.