Kelliturned to look—someone had apparently come in while they were watching the presentation and set everything up.Shehadn’t even heard it happening.
Eliseshook a box. “AndI’vegot a bunch of different themes right here.Everyonepartner up.Eachpartnership needs to come grab a theme, then make at least four ornaments with that theme.”
Withoutletting her brain have a second to think about it or to give her eyes permission,Kelli’sattention flew toParker.Apparently, he’d done the same, because they were suddenly looking at each other.Itwould’ve been awkward to just turn away, so she raised an eyebrow in a silent question, asking if he wanted to be her partner for the activity.Parkeronly hesitated a second before a strange look crossed his face and he turned to the woman next to him—someoneKellihadn’t met yet—and asked her to be his partner.
Stupideyes, thinking they could go and do the asking on their own.Herbrain knew not to askParker—she didn’t know why her eyes couldn’t get the message.Sheexhaled, and then she stood up as everyone else did and looked around the group.
Aman stepped over to her and said, “Hi.I’mDavis.Wouldyou like to be my partner for this?”
Hewas cute.NothinglikeParker, of course, but he had a kind face and welcoming eyes, and looked like he might be in his late twenties, so that was perfect.Hisdark hair was the right amount of tussled, too.Andhe looked a little bit nervous to ask, which was pretty adorable.Notthat she was looking to date anyone, but she wasn’t against a little harmless flirting.Especiallywith someone who worked in a different building.
“I’mKelli, andIwould love to.”
Theygrabbed their theme from the boxEliseheld—a paper that readSanta’sWorkshop—and headed over to the tables to get to work.
Asthey were looking at what kinds of supplies they had to work with and started brainstorming what they could make,Kelli’seyes couldn’t help but findParkeragain.Heand the woman he teamed up with seemed to be having fun.Theywere picking up craft supplies and talking and laughing.Shetold herself that it was a good thing.Parkerand his fiancée had called things off just a couple of months ago, so he probably really needed a chance to chat with a woman in a low-pressure situation.
Kelliwasn’t jealous.
Shewasn’t wishing it was her withParkerinstead of this other woman.
Nope.Shewas perfectly happy doing this activity withDavis.Hermind wasn’t onParkerat all.Notone bit.
Eight
Parker
Bythe lookonKelli’sface, she’d known thatParkerunderstood that she wanted to be partners.Andshe knew that he’d pretended not to notice and instead turned to the person next to him.Buthe also knew that she hadn’t meant to look his direction—she had just turned to him because they were the only ones from their building who were there, so he was likely the only person she knew.Itwas human nature.Itwasn’t because she wanted to be his partner.
Besides, she seemed super interested in all theChristmasactivities, and he wasn’t.Atall.Sohe didn’t want the simple human nature of seeking out the familiar being the thing that stopped her from enjoying the festivities.
Kellihad chatted with so many people since they had gathered together in a group at baggage claim that he figured she could easily partner with one of them.Butcouldn’t it have been anyone other thanDaviswho asked her?Parkeroften worked with product development inBuildingB, since they needed to show off the latest in trade shows.Hedidn’t work withDavisdirectly and didn’t know him well, but he had been in the building enough to know that he was a pretty decent guy.Hewasn’t sure why that bothered him.Heshould be happy forKelli.
Besides, he was kind of enjoying turning a bunch of random craft stuff into “Christmason theRange” ornaments withAddison.Shewas funny, and they came up with some pretty brilliant ideas.Andsince it wasn’t something he did as a tradition with his own family, it didn’t make him feel sad about not being around them.
Buthe kept finding his eyes going toKelliandDavisevery time they laughed or every time they were working on something intricate and both were leaned in close together.
Whichwas ridiculous, especially since he wasn’t in a position to date anyone—most of allKelli.Andif he had no interest in datingKelli, he had no business caring how close she andDaviswere right now.Orthat he just brushed a lock of hair over her shoulder for her so it wouldn’t get in the glue she was using.
“So, which of the three prizes do you most want to win?”
Addison’squestion had caught him off guard enough that he told himself that he needed to focus more on what he was doing instead of on whatKelliwas doing. “Oh, um, parking spot, hands down.”
“Really?Theparking space?”Addisonscrunched up her nose in confusion.
“It’sa great parking spot.”
“Isit hard to get a good one at your building?”
“Notreally.Iusually get there at seven, soImostly have my pick.Exceptfor that one—it always gets taken first.”
“Butyour second place choice can’t be more than five steps further from the door at seven.”
Thesecond place choice was closer to the door.Thatwasn’t what it was about.Andsuddenly he wondered what it was actually about.Howmuch did he love the space because of the space, and how much did he love it because of the competition to get it between him andKelli?
Hedidn’t know why, but simply the thought of it made him suddenly need to compete for that parking space while they were here.Maybeif he just stayed away from the things his own family normally did atChristmastime, it wouldn’t be so hard.
“Howabout you?”
