Page 50 of Cooped Up for Christmas

We did as much prep as we could that night, but still knew we had to get up at the butt crack of dawn, so we all went to bed as soon as we could.

It was lovely cuddling with Coop. All night long.

* * *

Some things cannot be done in advance. Such as Crème Anglaise. I woke up early—again quietly disentangling myself with deepest regrets—and headed for Noel’s kitchen to make sure I had time to practice. Just in case I forgot something. Trouble was, I totally forgot that I’m not a morning person. Even navigating Google was a challenge for me. It was a fat finger morning.

Finally, I got Crème Anglaise typed in.

The response I got on my screen was that unending Circle of Doom.

“Dammit!” I glared at my phone. I didn’t have time to wait three seconds for this. I was a busy person. “Come on.”

I felt Coop’s laugh on my cheek. “Are you seriously yelling at the internet?”

I glared at him. Why did he have to stand so close? I was trying to focus.

“Here. Let me.” He took my phone, making sure our hands brushed. I wasn’t sure whether to smack him or laugh at his blatant flirting.

“Stop that,” I hissed. “I have too much work to do for you to get me in a frazzle.”

“Oooh!” he bleated. “Are you in a frazzle?”

I snatched my phone back and leaned in. “I. Have. Work. To. Do.” He totally ruined my hard on for work when he kissed my nose.

Dammit.

I never could resist that.

He hovered, then moved in for a—

“Stop,” I said in a shrill, panicked bark.

At that word, at my tone, he took a step back and held up both hands.

Dammit.

I shot him an apologetic smile. “I really do have to get moving.”

He took another step back. “I know.”

“If you start kissing me, I’ll never get this done.”

“I know.”

“They could wake up at any moment. And I have to get this breakfast ready.”

“I know. I know. I’ll, um, go see if Ben needs any help.”

“Okay.”

“Okay.”

And then he left.

Dammit.

I hated watching him walk away.