Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
“Miss,” she corrects and winks. “I was wondering if you’re free tonight to go over those documents I sent you. You know it’s never too soon to start your estate planning.”
“I’ll have to ask my sister if she’d be able to do that,” I say, knowing full well Tinsel won’t tolerate seven seconds of Donna’s bullshit.
“Oh.” Her smile falters for only a second before she recovers. “Well, I’m sure we can do it another night you’re free.” She clears her throat as she comes closer. “What about the Winter Wonderland Dance this weekend? You can pick me up at six. We’ll do dinner before and then—”
“I’m already taking someone,” I say, cutting to the chase. I don’t have time to do this back and forth with her today, nor do I want to. I don’t know how many more polite ways I can turn her down before I tell her straight out to fuck off.
Out of all the single women in this town, Donna is the most aggressive. Granted, there are women who try to corner me or send goodies to my office. I’ve even found a few waiting for me outside Frostie’s bakery after I grab my morning cup of coffee, but none have been as persistent as Donna Hale.
I’m sick and tired of having to fend people off, and I want to put this to a stop. My thoughts stray to Joy like they always do, and then I have to remind myself to focus.
Since we did our video interview, I’ve been utterly besotted with her. My sister pokes fun at me for being straight-laced and by the book, but nothing about hiring Joy was above board. I took one look at her and had to have her. So I did what I had to do to get her. Even if it meant paying out of my own pocket for her moving expenses and rent until she got here. The city didn’t budget for that kind of thing, but I wasn’t going to let something like money stand in the way of her coming to be with me. I mean, work for me.
The more time we spend together, the more I don’t like being apart. Not too long ago, she was having a girls’ night out, and I just so happened to stumble in Jingle Bar and demand she go home because there was important work that needed to be done the next day and I couldn’t have my one and only employee hungover.
Okay, so I made up the part about important work, but it got her out of the bar with all those men looking at her bare finger. She isn’t married, and in this town that makes you fair game. Just like it makes me.
That’s the problem and the solution all in one.
Every time I’m close to her, the scent of her drives me crazy. I can’t stand it because all I want to do is bury my face in her neck and find out where it’s coming from. The way she looks longingly at the snow like she can’t believe it’s real makes me ache to wrap her in a blanket and carry her outside in it. I watch every day as she takes her first sip of coffee and closes her eyes to savor it. That’s when I think about kissing her and seeing her do the same.
I’m obsessed beyond reason with one of the only people in town who doesn’t look at me in that way. If anything, she thinks I’m boring like my sister keeps saying I am. What I need is a way to get her to see me, the real me, and to convince her that I’m the man for her.
“Who are you going to the Winter Wonderland Dance with?” Donna asks, reminding me that she’s still here and that I’m not alone with my thoughts.
Just then there’s as soft knock on my door before it opens up and Joy pops her head in. “There’s a phone call for you,” she says sweetly. She’s also lying because I didn’t hear the phone ring.
“Joy,” I say, and Donna scowls at me.
“Yes?” Joy says in confusion as she looks between Donna and me.
“Donna asked me who I’m going to the Winter Wonderland Dance with, and I told her we already had plans to go.”
“Oh.” Joy’s eyes widen and then she begins to nod. “That’s right, we're going together to represent the city.” Joy shrugs and smiles brightly at Donna. “Will we see you there?”
I don’t like how Joy threw in that we were going as city representatives. I didn’t want this to be a work function, but I guess this is another reminder that she doesn’t see me in that way.
“Of course.” Donna raises her chin, unwilling to be outmatched. She walks right by me on her way out, and she’s so close I can feel her brush against my shirt. “Save me a dance.”