Page 23 of Christmas In Love

He hadn’t been lying when he said he liked her auburn hair shorter, it reached just below her shoulders now instead of being several inches longer like when they’d been dating. Right now, it was tucked behind her ear, showing off her delicate jawline leading to the curve of her neck which was currently concealed by a red turtleneck sweater. Her lips were perfect, and incredibly soft if memory was to be trusted.

Suddenly, the room was boiling. He cleared his throat, and both women looked up at him. He set the cookies on the sideboard.

April’s expression lifted, but Nat looked away almost as soon as he caught her eye.

“Cade,” April said, motioning him forward. “You’re just the unbiased opinion we need. Come here.”

With unsure steps, Cade came further into the room. Nat was glaring at April, so whatever they needed was either really bad, or really good.

“We’re having a bit of a disagreement,” April smiled at Nat, who glared back. “Think you can help us settle it?”

“I’m not sure it’s such a good idea for me to get involved… I do live here, you know. I’d rather not make the proprietor angry enough to change out my shampoo bottles for glue or put a snake in my bed.”

Nat’s lips twitched upward before she continued to glare at April and ignore Cade.

“It’s okay, Cade. If she throws you out, I have a spare bedroom.”

Nat’s glare intensified.

He laughed. “Okay, what’s up?”

“You were there when Natalie agreed to go on a double date with me, right?”

Was this a trick question? “Yes…”

“Exactly. See, Natalie?”

Definitely a trick question.

“I never said I wouldn’t go on the date with you!”

“You just said you wouldn’t!”

Cade considered possible escape routes. The door was the easiest, but the window was closer.

“No, I said I couldn’t find a date.”

Cade scoffed, and they both looked at him. He waved them on. Nat couldn’t get a date? Unbelievable. But relieving. He’d gladly step in for the hordes of idiotic men she could have chosen.

“You’re not even trying. You were talking to three different guys yesterday!”

Cade sat down, fully invested now. Could he work himself onto this date?

“Until one turned out to be a rude jock, the other only wanted to hook up, and the last is busy.”

“Fine. I’ll have my date bring a friend for you. He’s talked about his best friend in glowing terms, I’m sure he’ll fit the bill.”

“Going on a blind date doesn’t sound very fun.”

Cade agreed with Nat.

“You could just call off the challenge…” April said, sounding hopeful.

Cade now agreed with April.

Nat’s glare reemerged. “We never call off challenges.”

April looked disappointed but unsurprised. “Then you’ll let me find your date?”

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