Page 25 of Her Big Fat Hunky Billionaire Boss

“Pretty much. When I’m not working late at the office, I’m working late from home.” Boy, that sounded lame. Was his life that pathetic? He hadn’t thought about it before now, but saying it out loud made him look dull.

She picked up her soda and took a sip. “You don’t have any hobbies?”

He began to feel uncomfortable. He’d had a hobby at one time. It didn’t work out too well for him, as he was reminded each day by his mutilated leg. “Not really.” He didn’t want to talk about hobbies anymore. “What about you. Where did you go to school?”

Kat played with her straw, stabbing the ice in her drink. “I took some classes at the community college in New Haven. But then mom got sick and I couldn’t keep doing that. So, I quit and took the job at the newspaper. Since I was taking journalism classes, the job was a perfect fit.”

Damian studied her. Kat seemed like an intelligent woman, even though she was a bit quirky. Why did she want to work at some dumpy small-town newspaper? “Don’t you think a larger city would offer you more opportunities?”

She made a face. “There’s more to life than just your job.”

“But—”

A group of carolers started singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” behind him, and Damian gave up. She wouldn’t admit her small town had less to offer, no matter what he said.

When the carolers had moved on, he changed the subject. “What was Christmas like when you were a kid?”

Kat grinned. “We loved this time of year. Dad would pile us all in the car and we’d go driving around to look at the Christmas lights. While we were gone, Santa would come. We’d go home to find our presents under the tree.”

“So, your mom stayed behind?”

“Nope. But it’s funny, each time we’d get in the car, Mom would always forget something in the house and have to go back in and get it.” Kat chuckled. “I was ten before I suspected anything.”

“And what about your sister? How much younger is she?”

“She’s three years younger. We were enemies growing up, but we’re no longer at each other’s throats. Not much, anyway.” Kat gave him a smile.

He liked this open side to her. When she wasn’t trying to embarrass him, she was fun to talk to. “And what does Hilary do?”

“She works in the kitchen at Pizza Hut. It’s a job, but what she really wants to do is go to culinary school and own her own restaurant.”

“Let me guess, she’d rather not do that because she loves Pleasant Hollow, and doesn’t want to leave?”

Kat rolled her eyes. “No. Hilary would love to leave. It’s just…our mom…”

“Oh.” Damian felt like a jerk. “Sorry.” He really needed to think before he started talking.

“Don’t be. It’s just the situation.”

A man approached their table. His belly sagged over his belt. He patted his receding hairline. “Hey, Kat. How’s it hanging?” He clicked his tongue and pointed a finger at her.

Kat cringed. “It’s not hanging, Elliot. It’s never been hanging.”

“It’s just a figure of speech.” Elliot chuckled, his gaze traveling over Damian. “What, are you on a date or something?”

“No,” Kat said, way too fast. “Heavens, no.”

Damian stared at her. Should he be offended by that?

Elliot grinned and swiped his hand over his hair again. “Good. Because I thought I might have some competition going on.” He waved his hand indicating the two of them. “Want to go to the movies tomorrow? I heard they’re playing the new Transformers. That Michael Bay is a genius.”

Kat sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. “Um, no thanks, Elliot. You know me. I’m a homebody.” She gave him a lame smile.

Elliot nodded and did a little swagger thing with his hips. “If you ever want to date a real man, you know where I live.” He pointed at her again before continuing down the sidewalk.

Damian wasn’t sure if the guy was for real or not. “Where does he live?”

Kat scrubbed her face with her hand and moaned. “Next door to me.”

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