Home for Christmas: New Adult Holiday Dark Suspense Romance by Emme Rollins Page A

other girls, you know.”
    “Being talented?” She rolled her eyes.
    “Being talented and beautiful.”
    Now she was really blushing for real. Guys flirting with her was nothing new—but this guy was different. She knew he was flirting, but he was serious too. There was something in his eyes, an honesty, that was surprising.
    “Do all the girls fall for that line?” she scoffed, licking mustard off her fingers.
    “Every single one so far.” He grinned.
    “They didn’t tell you, I’m the exception to the rule?” She rolled her eyes again, wiping her mouth with a napkin from one of the dispensers on the table.
    “They broke the mold, did they?”
    “Yep,” she agreed. “And a bunch of other clichés.”
    “Are you playing hard to get?” he asked, taking another swig of Diet Coke.
    “No,” she replied honestly. “I am hard to get. Just ask Robbie over there.”
    “I don’t think Robbie ever had a shot.” Nick glanced over his shoulder at Robbie, who was still watching them with a dark look on his face. “He couldn’t handle a girl like you.” 
    “Don’t tell him that.” Ginny laughed. “Hey, what does that mean?”
    “You’re a handful.” Nick looked at her like he knew. How could he know?
    “How would you know?”
    “I’m afraid my break’s up.” He shrugged but he was smiling as he glanced at his watch. “Do you want my sandwich? I don’t have time.”
    He slid it across the table toward her.
    “You can leave it,” she replied, trying to sound casual.
    The man had been a fountain of wealth for her that afternoon, between the cookie, the banana, lunch, and now his own sandwich—not to mention the autographed book and the opportunity to meet her favorite author!
    “Nice seeing you again, Ginny.”
    “You too.” She watched him walk away, frowning. She still had far too many questions about him than answers, and she didn’t like it.
    * * * *
    She hadn’t hung around Barnes and Noble after that. She didn’t think being around Nick was a good idea—and from the way Robbie glowered at her, she knew she was likely in for a talking-to. Instead, she’d spent the afternoon at the library in the loft, going through her sketches and thinking about what Chloe Clay had said. Had she really meant it? Or was that a line she gave all the budding artists she met?
    The card Chloe had given her wasn’t a personal one—it was to the Morrow Agency. Presumably Chloe’s agent? But maybe she could be contacted through them. She imagined calling and asking for Chloe Clay, imagined the laughter on the other end of the phone. Yeah, it was just a line, she decided, probably inspired by the older woman’s raging hormones and desire to get into Nick the hot security guard’s pants.
    When the library closed, she walked back to the video store, noticing that Dunkin’ Donuts was still open. They had extended hours during the holidays, probably hoping shoppers would stop in to warm up with coffee and donuts. She could use a little of her ten dollars to buy a small drink and stay there for an hour, until eleven, and then wait in the cold until after midnight before creeping into the video store vestibule to try to get some sleep. She’d caught up a little on her sleep deficit in the library loft that afternoon.
    Ginny had just slid into a booth when the door opened, the bell over it dinging. She glanced up, seeing the flash of a blue uniform and a badge, her heart jumping in her chest. Every time she saw a uniform, that happened. She was always afraid it was going to be Brody—or one of Brody’s many cop friends.
    This time, though, it was just Nick.
    She’d been right after all. Nick was a cop.
    He hadn’t seen her and she thought about side-stepping into the bathroom, but thought it would just draw more attention to herself. Maybe he would just go out without...
    “Ginny?” He give her a bemused smile, coming over to her booth.
    “Are you following me again?” she asked, trying to sound annoyed