Under the Mistletoe. Katherine Garbera

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      Elizabeth withdrew for a second but Penny didn’t mind. She knew her friend was using her razor-sharp mind to search for details about Will. “Last Christmas he stayed at the Caribbean resort that Lars owns. He always books in for two weeks at the holidays, and he’s due to check out on New Year’s Eve.” She grinned at her friend. “I can pull up some info about him if you want? I know he asked for a Christmas tree to be delivered on the twenty-first and that’s about it.”

      “That’s okay. He’s going to give me the scoop when we have dinner,” Penny said.

      Elizabeth gave her an incredulous look. “Yeah, sure he is. He’s probably going to tell you whatever he thinks you want to hear.”

      “I’m pretty sure my bullshit meter is more than ready to weed out his lies,” Penny said. “He’s my holiday fantasy. And unless he is a complete troll at dinner, I think I’ve found my distraction.”

      “Really?”

      “Uh-huh.”

      “Then why did you look so serious before?” Elizabeth prodded.

      “It sucks having a best friend who calls you on the BS.”

      Elizabeth laughed. “Yes, it does. So what’s up?”

      “I like him, Lizzie. He’s funny and charming, and I think he could be a lot of fun. But given what just happened with Butch, I’m afraid to just let myself relax and enjoy it, you know?”

      “I do know. But I also know that you aren’t going to let him slip away. If you want him for Christmas, then make him yours,” she said.

      “My own Christmas hottie?”

      “Definitely.”

      “Should I be jealous?” Bradley asked, coming up behind Elizabeth.

      “No,” Elizabeth said. “You’re my hottie.”

      “And you’re mine,” he said, bending to give his fiancée a kiss.

      “And that’s my cue to go,” Penny said, downing the rest of her drink. She was happy for them and everything, but she might have misjudged coming here with them so happy and in love. It made her wistful. Made her wish she had some kind of radar that would help her steer clear of losers. “Have fun on your walk.”

      “We will,” Bradley said with a wink. “Where are you heading off to?”

      “Dinner with a tall, dark stranger...” Penny replied.

      “Go, Penny!” Elizabeth said, holding her hand up for a high five.

      She gave her one, walking out of the bar. She wanted to believe that this was simply dinner and nothing more. Will Spalding didn’t have to be anything other than who he was. She needed fun and uncomplicated. A Christmas gift to herself before she had to make some serious decisions about her future.

      * * *

      WILL HAD NO problems ordering the dinner he wanted for himself and Penny. The concierge was more than happy to secure a fire pit for them away from the families roasting marshmallows and singing carols.

      Christmas lingered in his mind like a festering wound. Probably because it was the one time of the year that it really hit home that his family was gone and he was alone. He tended to wallow in it, starting around Thanksgiving. One year before he’d finally gotten sober, he’d spent the entire month of December drunk.

      “Is that all, Mr. Spalding?”

      “I’d like to do something after we eat. Any suggestions?”

      “We have a horse-drawn sleigh that I can reserve for you. Our guide will take you on a path out toward the ski lifts. It’s scenic and on a clear night like tonight it should be beautiful.”

      “Sounds perfect,” Will murmured. “Is the gift shop still open?”

      “Yes, sir, until nine.”

      “Thank you,” he said, turning to walk away. He went to the exclusive, high-end women’s boutique that was tucked off the main lobby. He found a Scottish-wool scarf that had the colors of Penny’s eyes and had it wrapped up, and asked the sales girl to send it to the concierge with instructions to have it in the sleigh later.

      These kind of romantic gestures he’d learned early on. Women appreciated them and he found that a happier woman made for a more enjoyable evening. And money had never been an obstacle for him. He knew the gift was small, but he also had realized pretty early on that it was the small things that mattered most in life.

      And he wanted Penny. Wanted two weeks alone with the pretty blonde. He headed back to the bar and noticed her high-fiving her friends.

      Maybe he was kidding himself by thinking she would agree to a two-week Christmas romance. Despite her throwing her phone earlier, she seemed like someone who was a bit healthier in relationships than he was.

      He doubted she’d need anything from him. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time he’d misjudged someone. But this time he hoped he was wrong. Because, more than anything, he wanted her to need him so he could focus on making her Christmas special and ignore the gnawing emptiness that he still felt deep inside. She pushed off the stool and turned to walk toward him. He watched the way she moved. Her hips swaying with each step she took. Her breasts bouncing the slightest bit. The effortless grace that was arresting to behold. He realized he was staring but didn’t care. Penny smiled when she noticed him watching her, and for the first time since he’d started thinking about Christmas, he felt lighter. He didn’t care if nothing else came of this evening than dinner in a pretty woman’s company. For tonight that was enough.

      He didn’t have to think of the past or the bruises he always pretended weren’t there. He could just enjoy this evening with a sweet, uncomplicated woman. Someone who could make him forget the truth of who he was.

      “Ready?” she asked, coming up to him.

      “I am. Are you going to be warm enough?”

      “I think so. If not, you can keep me warm,” she said with a wink.

      “I can?”

      “Unless you don’t want to, but then that’s the whole point of inviting me to dinner, right?”

      “Indeed. Let’s go.” He nodded toward the bar. “Were those your friends?”

      “Yes. They just got together so they are still kind of too cutesy each time they see each other.”

      “Too cutesy? I don’t know what that means,” he said.

      “Kissy and huggy. Wow, now that I said it out loud, I really do sound jealous.”

      “I’ll hug and kiss you if it makes you feel better,” he drawled. “I believe in giving a lady what she wants.”

      “You’re quite the white knight.”

      “What can I say? It’s fun to make another person happy,” he replied.

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