Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
The restaurant door pops open again, and I’m afraid it’s Heath, but then I hear her sweet voice and I feel better. “Glen, you’re here early. I’ll be out in a bit—they were my last customers. I’ve wrapped up their food.” Sheila turns to James. “Take it and feed her, or she won’t eat. She’s extremely softhearted.” She rubs my arm. “I need to clock out.”
“Thank you. I ought to break his fucking face,” James snarls, pressing his forehead onto mine.
“Just leave it alone,” I plead.
“Who?” Glen insists.
“Some asshole who works for her,” James answers before I can.
“Heath?”
“Yeah. That’s the prick.”
He shakes his head and breathes through his nose. “Damn it, sweetie. I knew we were going to have a problem after this morning.”
James wraps his arms around me and tips my chin so our eyes meet. “Sugarplum, stop crying. I don’t like seeing tears falling from those pretty eyes.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize for being upset.” He caresses my cheek.
“I can’t help it. The things he said in there. Everyone heard, and they’re going to think you’re going to…”
“I know it’s not my money you’re after. It’s my big cock,” he teases, and I giggle with my boogers dripping down my face. He pulls out a handkerchief. “Here.”
I take it. “Thank you.”
Looking up at Glen, James adds, “Excuse me, but I need to get her home.”
“Holiday, maybe you should stay home tomorrow.”
“I can’t. With Heath not there, we’re already shorthanded. I’m not going to let my company be ruined because I wouldn’t go out with him. He moved on pretty quickly, didn’t he?”
“He was with some other chick just now,” James explains.
Glen looks at James with his chin down, eyes up, and shaking his head. “She doesn’t understand relationships. You better be good to her, or leave her alone.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” I don’t know if he truly means it, but having him around makes me feel better.
He leads me to his insanely expensive-looking vehicle and opens the passenger door. It’s too dark to determine the model, but it’s obviously way out of my budget. Maybe to Heath it does look like I’m just a gold-digging bitch, but he should know me better than that. I’ve worked hard for everything I have. “Here, climb inside.”
“Thanks.” Once I’m inside, he closes the door and moves to the driver’s side and climbs inside.
“Sorry that our dinner got ruined, but we still have our meal here.” He lifts it up before setting it in the back.
“I’m sure the burgers are good,” I say, giving him a crooked smile.
“They smell fantastic. Almost as delicious as you. So what made you want to become a baker? A natural gift?”
“Yes, something like that. When I was fourteen, I started helping out at the bakery because my family kind of needed the money. The former owner, Mrs. Green, let me help and I worked under the table until I could get a worker’s permit, and then I was baking daily. I fell in love with it. I studied with some books and watched baking shows, but I don’t actually have a specialty degree.”
“Wow, so you’re a natural.”
“I guess.” I shrug, blushing again. Luckily, it’s dark and he can’t see how embarrassed I really am.
“What happened to Mrs. Green?”
“She retired about four years ago, sold me the property, and moved to Florida with her husband.”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-three. You?”
He pauses like he has to think about it for a minute. It’s clear he’s older than me, but I can’t imagine he’s that much older. “Thirty. Is that too old for you, sugarplum?” He reaches out and tucks a few stray hairs behind my ear.
I haven’t dated, so I can’t say what age is a good cut-off for me, but I like him, so I just give him a simple, “No.”
“So where do you want to eat?”
“Your place. I want to see if Christmas exploded on the inside or just on the outside.”
“Oh, it’s just as bad on the inside.”
“Good.” He pulls into the driveway.
“What about my car?” I ask as I undo my seatbelt.
“I’ll drive you to work tomorrow."
“I start really early,” I warn him, because it’s not for the faint of heart.
He takes my hand and brings it to his lips before I can leave the vehicle and kisses it. “Don’t worry, sugarplum. I promise I’ll get you there on time.”
“Okay.” He lets it go, and we both exit the car.
“It really is beautiful,” he admits, staring at my decorations. I leave out that I had several guys helping, including Heath.
“Be careful—you’re going to be shocked.”
Chapter Eight
James
I walk into a winter wonderland, and I’m surprised that I don’t hate it. It feels like home. Every little piece is meant to be there; warm, inviting, and I tell her so. “Holiday, it’s perfect.”
“Are you just trying to butter me up?”