Page 56 of Hostile for the Holidays

“You look stunning,” I say, taking in her black sequin skirt and black silk blouse before embracing her.

She stands back to admire my dress. “Thanks, you do, too.”

“Do you have a date tonight?” I ask, glancing around.

She shakes her head. “No, I’m keeping my options open.”

“Anyone you want to get caught under the mistletoe with?” I tease.

She scans the room, and I swear her eyes linger on Liam, Jasper’s business partner, who’s talking in a small group across the room, but then she quickly directs her eyes away.

“Potentially.”

I decide not to pry because that’s all anyone has been doing with Jasper’s and my relationship, and I don’t want to be that person.

“Jasper told me about your romance bookstore. That’s very exciting. Congratulations!”

“Thank you. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but hopefully I’ll be open by next summer.”

“Well, I can’t wait to see it the next time I’m in town. Oh, and my best friend is a romance author.”

“What’s her name?” she asks.

“Pippa Monroe.”

Juniper’s jaw drops. “Are you serious? She’s like my favorite author.”

My smile widens at that. “She’ll have to come visit your store then.”

“Oh my god, I would die.”

“Don’t do that, then you won’t get any signed books.”

“Right.” She laughs. “Tell her I’d love to have her visit anytime.”

“I’ll make sure she knows.”

I scan the room of guests, suddenly wondering who the woman that Jasper’s mom had intended to set him up with is. Iknow she won’t do it now that she thinks we’re together, but I can’t help but be curious who Julie Jensen thought would be a good match for her son.

I turn to Juniper. “Hey, do you know who your mom was going to set Jasper up with?”

Juniper blinks in confusion. “Huh?”

“Before she found out we were dating, of course.”

I don’t really think this other woman is competition, but I also wonder what will happen when Jasper and I are no longer fake dating?

“I guess she lives in New York, too, and since Jasper is moving there, she had thought they would hit it off. That’s before she knew we’re together of course. It’s a thing your mom has done at this party. Tried to set Jasper up with a date.”

Juniper presses her lips together. “My mom wouldn’t do that.”

I’m surprised by her statement. “Why not?”

Her mouth pulls into a huge grin. “She knows Jasper wouldn’t be interested.”

“Because he works so much and has no time for a relationship?” That’s the reason he told me he was single and hasn’t been dating.

“Sure. That, too.”

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