Page 9 of Among the Stars

“There’s no need.”

Veronica blinked at the ridiculousness of that statement. “But it’s Christmas. Don’t you celebrate?” She realized he might be Jewish. Or an atheist. Though wouldn’t an atheist still take advantage of the Santa part? Who didn’t like presents? “I mean, there’s nothing wrong with not celebrating. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs.”

“I celebrate by giving my staff half the day off and padding their checks with a bonus.” A key card appeared from his pocket. He held it against a black box, then pushed the door open with one arm, waiting for her to step through.

He may be a buzzkill when it came to Christmas, but she couldn’t say he wasn’t a gentleman.

“What about your family?” she asked, curiosity overriding any ability to mind her own business. “Surely there’s a dinner or something.”

Clasping her arm through the coat, Cam stopped her forward progress. “This is my car,” he said, ignoring her question as he opened the passenger door of a sleek black BMW. “You can buckle yourself this time.”

The reminder of her condition the night before stung. She clammed up and climbed in. When Cam settled gracefully into the driver’s seat—far too gracefully for a man his size—Veronica pressed her luck.

“Seriously? Do you not have anyone to celebrate with today?”

His seat belt clicked into place before he entered her address into his navigation system—revealing an impressive memory—and finally looked her way. “No, I don’t.”

With a turn of a knob, Cam put the car in gear and pulled from the parking space. This would not do. No one should be alone on Christmas. Especially not this uptight, rich bar owner who’d been decent enough to give a drunk stranger a place to sleep.