Page 49 of The Clause in Christmas
Finally seizing his opportunity, Luke lowered his mouth to hers. But before he could taste her lips, Ben’s voice shattered the thin veil of intimacy surrounding them.
As if he’d been yanked from a dream, it took Luke a moment to focus on Ben’s blurred figure as it sped toward them, sliding to a stop.
“Here ya go.” Ben grinned as he thrust a cell phone toward Cassie. “I found it on the ice in the spot where you fell.”
“Th-thank you.” Cassie sounded as frazzled as Luke felt.
Luke glanced around, scanning the rink for Eliza. When he spotted her near the edge chatting with Penny Heart, he felt a surge of irrational irritation that she hadn’t stopped Ben from rushing over and ruining the moment.
Ben didn’t seem to notice he’d interrupted something monumental. “I know it’s yours because the message has your name in it.” Ben grinned as if proud of his deduction.
Without glancing at the text, Cassie stuffed her phone back inside her coat pocket.
“I didn’t know all of the words,” Ben admitted. “But I know it’s about a job. Are you getting a new job, Cassie?”
Luke’s gaze darted to Cassie’s face.
Her cheeks were tinged pink, and Luke could tell it was from far more than the cold.
Chapter 17
Please call me back.
I’ve decided to sweeten the deal.
Forget the job offer.
Let’s be partners. 50-50.
I need you, Cassie.
Cassie read Derek’s text for the hundredth time, but she still couldn’t believe it. Fifty-fifty partners? It didn’t make any sense. Why would Derek want to share his business with her? Between his lucrative job as a coffee buyer and his trust fund, he didn’t need her financial contribution. Even if she had enough money to make one. So, why give her equity? What exactly did he want in exchange?
The questions swirled in her mind as her finger hovered over the delete button.
Before Cassie could make a decision, the shrill cry of her cell phone interrupted her thoughts, nearly causing her to tumble out of bed in surprise.
Derek’s message disappeared as Eliza’s glowing, pink-cheeked face flashed across the screen.
Cassie smiled, recalling the moment Eliza had snatched her phone the afternoon they went sledding, programming her number with the title ofNew Bestie.
Cassie hadn’t bothered telling Eliza she didn’t need the “new” modifier, since Cassie didn’t have a best friend. Oranyfriends, really. Sure, she made friendly acquaintances all the time. She’d even grabbed coffee once or twice with a few coworkers. But an honest-to-goodness friend—the kind you confided in and trusted explicitly? They seemed as mythical as Saint Nick himself. Or, at least, they had before Poppy Creek.
“Cassie!” Eliza’s cheerful warmth resonated through the speakers. “Sorry if I’m waking you, but I didn’t think you’d want to miss this.”
“Miss what?”
“Penny’s here.And…” Eliza dragged out the syllable for dramatic effect. “The espresso machine is working!”
Cassie couldn’t get dressed fast enough, even slipping on mismatched socks in her haste. She flew down the staircase, pausing only when she remembered she hadn’t checked the Christmas Calendar for the day.
Racing into the kitchen, she flipped through the pages until she reached December 11, crossing her fingers the activity would be quick and easy.
Make Eggnog.
Relief flooded her. Definitely quick and easy! And decidedly more pleasant than making mulled wine.
Snapping the book closed, Cassie spun on her heel.
