Jingle This! (6 page)

Heidi raised a brow. "Why do they think you're not coming?"

Angie grimaced as she put her key in the lock. "Because I thought I'd be working on that online story until midnight, but since I dumped it on Kyle, I'm free." She hesitated. "Plus, I haven't told them Roger and I broke up. My family will be so bummed, because they love Roger. I don't want to deal with it. We'll just say he's working tonight." Yes, she liked the sound of that plan. It gave her space to just be cheerful and not have to dwell.

Heidi rolled her eyes. "I love your family, but they really missed the boat on that one. When they start telling you what a great catch you lost, I'll rattle off all his faults." She tucked her arm through Angie's. "But not tonight, I promise."

"Thanks." Angie unlocked the door and pushed it open, a huge sense of relief filling her as she followed Heidi inside. This was what the holidays were about. Family. So what if she was single? They would still love her and support her. She could skip all the parties she and Roger had attended last holiday season and stick with her family. Maybe she'd even tell them tonight after all. Tonight would be a cleansing night for her, and tomorrow she'd be the genius writer of seasons past.

See? She could rebound.

"Hi, all," Heidi said. "I'm here!"

Angie heard the shouts of greeting from her family, and felt a warm snuggle settling in her chest. She was so glad she'd come tonight. Socializing with her beloved family was far better than sitting in her office being lambasted by Kyle-the-autocrat.

She grinned and popped her head around Heidi's shoulder. "Surprise! I made it!"

All the faces in the room froze, glasses that had been raised in toast to Heidi were suspended in mid-air, and a total silence fell over the room. A look of shocked horror was on every face as they stared at Angie. It was the usual crew: her parents and about forty of their closest friends. Notably, Sheila wasn't there, but Angie was okay about that.

The room was full of people she knew well, and yet no one was saying anything. They were just gaping at her. For a long moment, Angie stared back, waiting for someone to shout, "Just kidding."

No one did.

So she carefully wiped the sleeve of her jacket across her nose. Ran her tongue over her teeth to eliminate food that might be stuck. Checked the buttons on her blouse for indecent exposure. Still no one spoke. What the hell was wrong with her? "Hello? Anyone?"

"I thought you weren't coming." Angie's mom finally spoke up, her face still as horrified as before.

"Thanks for making me feel welcome. Cheers to all of you. Happy holidays and all that jazz." Maybe they were horrified by the look of devastation in her eyes. Yes, that was it. Shocked because they'd expected to see her dance in with her usual holiday ebullience, yet, as family, they were so perceptive they immediately noticed their beloved Angie was carrying a heavy emotional burden.

God, she loved them.

"So, anyone want more eggnog?" The sound of her sister's voice emanating from the kitchen sent the room into a frenzy. Her dad nearly threw his eggnog to the floor as he vaulted over the coffee table and sprinted for the kitchen while the rest of the crew erupted into animated exclamations. Her cousin Maxine grabbed Angie's arm and hauled her off to the den, muttering something about a Christmas tree.

"No fucking way!" Heidi's shocked exclamation had Angie whirling around to see what was going on.

She made the about-face just in time to see Roger remove his hand from her sister's waist…or rather, in time to see her dad yank him away from Sheila, who was standing there with a tray of eggnog, donning a politically correct look of surprise to see Angie there.

Heidi grabbed her Rudolph nose and hurled it at Roger. "You are a
pig
."

Angie just stared. At Roger, who was looking sheepish in a brand new tie. At her sister, whose cleavage was barely contained in her skin-tight dress that was hardly appropriate for a family holiday party. The smug look on her sister's face left no doubt as to the nature of her relationship with Roger. None at all.

Roger had left her for
Sheila.
Suddenly, everyone's reaction to her entrance made sense. They'd all known that Roger had dumped her for Sheila, and they'd thought they could celebrate the new relationship without Angie finding out.

Dear God.
They'd all known.

Angie was going to be sick.

The room was totally silent, with the only movement being Heidi as she retrieved her nose off the floor. "Since it hit Roger, I have to go disinfect it before I can put it back on my face," she announced.

Someone cleared their throat. "Um, Angie? Can I talk to you?"

Angie turned to find Kyle standing in the doorway behind her. "Did you know too?" she asked him. "And what are you doing here? Did you come by to observe my fall of shame?"

He blinked. "Did I know what? What are you talking about?"

His look of surprise made her immediately regret her words. It wasn't his fault. It was Roger and Sheila's. Not Kyle's. She bit her lip. "Sorry," she said quietly, just for him.

He eyed her carefully before he glanced around the silent room. "I need your help with the article," he said. "I'm very sorry to drag you away from your family party, but I can't do it without you."

Come to think of it, he did look a little disheveled, and his hair was askew, as if he'd been raking his hands through it in aggravation.

His gaze landed on Roger and Sheila, and Angie saw him stiffen. He glanced quickly at Angie, then back at Roger, and his eyes narrowed. "This is your new woman? Sheila?" His voice was cold, his eyes flashing.

In fact, he looked pissed. On her behalf? Something fluttered in Angie's belly, something soft that she'd never associated with Kyle before. He was angry in her defense? Really? Suddenly, the world didn't seem so overwhelming.

Sheila flipped Kyle a smile. "Now, Kyle, don't be getting all possessive. We broke up eons ago. I'm not yours."

Oh, crap. That was why Kyle looked upset? Because he still loved Sheila? Great. The only two men she'd ever loved were infatuated with her sister. Suddenly, she felt like a complete fool for thinking that Kyle had been protecting her.

"Kiss him," Heidi whispered in her ear.

Angie glanced over her shoulder. "What?"

Heidi gestured impatiently, pointing to the mistletoe hanging above the door. "Kiss Kyle," she repeated, her voice so quiet that even Kyle wouldn't be able to hear her. "Show everyone you don't care because you're already shacking up with your sister's ex."

"I can't kiss Kyle." Just the thought of it was starting to make Angie's heart race and her brow sweat, because she'd dreamed of kissing him far too many times way back when. She knew exactly how to fantasize it, and it was more than she could handle right now.

"He won't stop you. Look how pissed he is. Do it." Heidi elbowed her in the back. "Just do it."

Her mom trilled a fake, nervous laugh. "Well, I guess it's good that it's out in the open." She turned to Angie. "We thought you would be too upset, so we decided not to tell you right away."

"Not to tell me?" Angie frowned. "How long have you known?"

"A while." Her mom grimaced, took her aside and lowered her voice. "Sweetheart, I'm so sorry you had to find out this way, but I really believe this is a gift. Roger would never have settled down with you. I've been so worried that he was going to propose, and your dad and I both knew that it would never last. He's Sheila's type, not yours, and I know you'll find the right man. One who will give you what you want."

Angie barely heard anything past her mother's first two words. Whoa. A while? Her boyfriend had been having liaisons with her sister, and her whole family had known about it? She and Roger hadn't even broken up until Thursday. Had he and Sheila been dating
before
then? And her family had known?

Humiliation burned in Angie's cheeks. The entire clan had been waiting for Roger to drop the bomb five days ago? No wonder her mom hadn't tried to talk her into attending tonight when she'd declined. She'd probably been delighted at the opportunity to invite their beloved Roger and celebrate his liaison with Sheila.

Heidi hissed in her ear. "If you have any pride, you will march over there and lay one on Kyle right now."

She saw Kyle glance over at her. Had he heard what Heidi had said? He lifted a brow.

What was that about? Could he read her mind and know she was dissecting his mouth piece by piece, wondering what it would be like to have his lips on hers?

His gaze still tight on hers, he walked toward her. Oh, good Lord almighty. Was he going to kiss her? Take Heidi's advice and kiss her into oblivion?

Angie's heart began hammering, and she lifted her chin and met his gaze as he approached.
Kiss me, you big hunk. I'm all the woman you'll ever need.

He stopped right in front of her, then lowered his head.

Yes! Take that Roger and Sheila! Kyle wants me!

"We need to work on that article," he said.

Angie opened her eyes. "What?"

"The article. We need to work." He shot her an apologetic smile. "Sorry."

"Sorry?" For not kissing her and saving her reputation and sanity? There would be no forgiveness for that. Not ever!

Kyle tucked his hand under her arm and turned to the still silent room. "Angie and I have work to do," he said loudly, as if making sure that everyone in the room heard him. "Sorry to cut short the festivities, but it looks like you all will have a fine time without us." He began directing her out of the condo. "Happy Holidays to everyone. The condo looks gorgeous as usual, Mrs. Miller."

Okay, so he wasn't throwing her on the ground for a good shagging in front of everyone, but he
was
giving her a totally legit excuse for leaving. No one could say that she'd snuck out with tears streaming down her face. Aware of his unyielding grip on her arm and the hard set to his jaw, Angie wagered that he wasn't going to back down. "Can't we do it in the morning, Kyle?" she challenged. "I'd really like to stay." She had to make it look like she was brave enough to stay and face Roger and Sheila, even if she wanted nothing more than to get away from them, the party and the charade of her family.

"In the morning? No way. The deadline is tonight." Kyle shot her a look like she was totally insane to want to stay at the party, and she almost grinned. If he believed her protest, then maybe other people would too. Then she'd be the talk of the holiday season, how she was faced with the betrayal of her longtime love, and she hadn't even batted an eye. How she'd even wanted to blow off work to hang out and bask in the good fortune of two people so dear to her.

She shot Heidi a glance, and Heidi pointed to the eggnog and gave her a thumbs-up. So good to know Heidi was going to put something nasty in the punch. A true friend.

Angie released a resigned sigh. "Well, if I must go. I know the entire company is relying on the success of this project that I'm working on, right Kyle?"

"Hell, yes, it is," he muttered as he pulled her through the open door. "Have a nice evening, everyone."

Angie waved cheerfully and let Kyle haul her out the door and down the hall.

A low murmuring of conversation erupted the moment they were out of sight of the party. She heard her name and knew they were talking about her.

Her courage suddenly faded, and the grim reality of her life descended upon her. How much worse were things going to get? Seriously.

Talk about good humor fading fast.

* * *

Kyle punched the elevator button and watched Angie warily. Her shoulders were back, her eyes bright, but he could see the tight press of her lips and the tension of her jaw as she fought for composure. So much for his hope that an evening with her family would cheer her up.
Roger, you are a true bastard.
"You okay, Angie?"

She was leaning against the wall, fiddling with her mittens. "Did you know?" she asked quietly. "About them?"

"No."

She looked up, vulnerability stark in her eyes. "Really? You didn't?"

Damn Roger. How was he supposed to get Angie to write something good about love now? He hated the look of pain in her eyes. Where was the Angie he knew? Spunky, bold and unrepentant. That's who she was, and she needed to reclaim that. "Angie, I swear I didn't know."

"Okay." The elevator door opened, and they stepped inside. "So, are you mad?"

He watched the numbers flick by. "About what?"

"Roger dating Sheila."

His hands curled into fists, and he shoved them into his jacket pocket. "Yes."

"Because you love her."

"Love her? You've got to be kidding." Kyle snorted and glanced at her. "I'm mad because he screwed you over. I don't care about Sheila."

She looked up from picking the fuzz off her coat and studied him. Her face was so expressive now. She looked like the Angie he'd fallen for so long ago, with her big eyes, her naked emotions scrawled across her face. "Why do you care what he does to me?" Her question was genuine, and he felt the urgency of the question, as if more was riding on his answer than simple words.

"Because you deserve better than to be treated like that," he said, swearing under his breath when her eyes widened. He'd meant to tell her that it was because of the article for Swift, but even as he thought it, he realized that wouldn't have been what she needed to hear tonight.

Tonight, she needed to find a way to reclaim her value. But how the hell was he supposed to help her do that? His brief tangle with trying to write the article had convinced him that there was no way he could do it without Angie. He had to find a way to bring her back into the fold. "Have you had dinner?"

She eyed him warily. "No."

"Let's do a working dinner. It'll be good to get out of the office." He frantically searched his brain for a fun place that would get her mind off the night. Someplace that would cheer her up. "What are you in the mood for?"