“Perfect,” Kenzie says. “I’ll get to work on securing all the vendors and making the arrangements with the hotel. Next week, we’ll need to meet to finalize the rest of the decor.”

“Can’t wait. Now we’re getting to all the pretty details.” Bethaney swings her gaze in my direction. “I’d love your input on that, Andrew. I know you’ve been to all the other firm’s parties and I want this to be the best one yet.”

I have been to all the firm’s holiday parties since I’ve been here, but if there was a gun to my temple, I couldn’t tell you what the decor looked like at any of them.

This is not what I say though. “Happy to help.”

As much as Bethaney’s overenthusiasm for everything grates on me, I can admit that I like the way her appreciation for everything Kenzie is doing seems to make her almost glow.

“I figured. I know how much you love Christmas like us.” Bethaney beams at me.

“Ho ho ho.” I hope my smile comes off as somewhat genuine. I glance across the table at Kenzie, who looks as though she’s hiding a laugh. “Well, if that’s all, ladies, I best get back to my office. I have some things I need to take care of before day’s end.” I push my chair back and stand. “Kenzie, I’ll walk you out.”

Kenzie packs up her things and we say our goodbyes before I lead her down the hall toward the bank of elevators.

“Good save in there with the Main Street idea.”

She looks over and smiles. It’s weird the way it makes her eyes sparkle. What’s even weirder is the fact that I notice. “Thanks. I’m actually really excited to bring the idea to life. I think it can turn out to be pretty amazing, and I’ve never seen anyone else do anything like it.”

“You’re ahead of your time.” We reach the elevators and I press the button.

She chuckles. “I don’t know about that.”

The elevator dings and arrives in no time, which almost never happens. For whatever reason, I feel reluctant to say goodbye to her. Maybe because we have no set day or time that I know I’m going to see her?

Am I imagining things, or does it seem like she’s hesitant to leave too? She shifts her weight for a beat and stares up at me before stepping into the elevator.

“See you later,” she says as the doors close.

“Yeah, see you.”

The doors close completely, shutting off my view of her.

Whatever the reason that she’s on my mind, I need to cut her out. I remember with vivid detail how much it hurts when you assume you know what the other person is thinking, only for it to turn out you were dead wrong.

Chapter Fifteen