Snowed In With The Reluctant Tycoon. Nina Singh

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       CHAPTER THREE

      HER PARTY GUESTS were going to be here within the hour, and Carli was just now stepping out of the shower. So far, this day had been nothing but one big race against the clock. She should have started prepping as soon as she got home. Instead, she’d taken the time to go over the sales figures.

      Not that there was any use, and Carli had known it. But she’d hoped for some small miracle that had somehow been missed. Something, anything she could use as leverage to argue that Justin should nix the idea of closing the doors of the Cape store for good.

      Of all the retail stores in the Hammond chain, why did that have to be the one performing the worst? She’d practically grown up in that store. Mr. Freider, the manager going on twenty years, had always welcomed her with open arms. As a child, she’d go into that store by herself, just to pass the time in peace when things were just too noisy at home. During her teenage years, she’d spent countless hours in the Book Nook, the corner of the store dedicated to latest in children’s and young adult books. She’d devoured a world of stories in that small area, Mr. Freider never complaining about her lack of purchases—purchases she couldn’t afford. In fact, he’d been kind enough to bring hot chocolate on cold days and sweet lemon iced tea during summer.

      That same kind man would very well lose his job if it were up to Justin.

      There had to be something she could do. Perhaps she could go straight to Jackson. Plead her case. The only problem was, she didn’t really have a professionally sound one. Essentially, that would amount to asking for a favor, as his protégé. As steep as the stakes were, she couldn’t bring herself to do that. She’d never once approached Jackson Hammond as anything less than a professional and wouldn’t start now. Not even under these circumstances.

      Carli blinked away the thoughts. She had to get going already; no doubt some of the invitees would be straggling in early, ready to party on this cold December Boston evening without much else to do. She hadn’t even towel dried her hair yet.

      What had possessed her to plan a Christmas party on a Wednesday night anyway? And just her luck, it had happened to fall on the same day that Justin Hammond had blown into town and thrown her whole world into a spiral.

      Now she was running late and dripping wet just as most of her colleagues were about to descend on her apartment for some yuletide Christmas cheer. A timer went off in the kitchen, a reminder to take the crab cakes out of the oven. Thank goodness she’d put out all the decorations weeks ago, the day after Thanksgiving. A tradition from her childhood. Exactly as Justin had guessed. The Tynan family may not have had much in the way of material things, but they made sure to celebrate their ceremonial traditions. Ceremonies that often got downright unruly and chaotic. She supposed that was to be expected in a family of five children.

      By some Christmas miracle, she was ready when the first guests arrived: Jocelyn and some of the account reps along with a couple of regional managers. Carli didn’t even recognize two of the arrivals. That’s what happened when you posted an open invite. She didn’t mind. These people were her second family now, Hammond’s Toys was her second home. She was lucky to have such an opportunity with such a wonderful company. Current situation with the boss’s son notwithstanding.

      In fact, an hour later when the party was in full swing and several champagne bottles had been corked, she found herself blessedly distracted and finally able to enjoy herself. Until one of the elderly secretaries walked in. She wasn’t alone.

      “I hope you don’t mind,” Miranda Sumpter said, her gray hair framing her maternal face. “I brought someone with me.”

      Carli tried to hide her surprise. Justin, to his credit, looked less than pleased to be there.

      Miranda was staring at her expectedly. “I mean, it said open invitation on the company wide email. And Justin’s definitely part of the company. You don’t mind, do you?”

      “Yes! No! I mean. Of course he’s welcome.” Now Justin just looked bemused. Carli gripped her glass flute in her hand tight enough that her fingers ached. Then she took a large swig.

      Justin stepped toward her. “I didn’t realize you’d be the host, Carli.”

      Well, how was she supposed to respond to that? Was the implication that he wouldn’t have come if he’d known?