Page 52 of All's Fair in Love and Christmas
She tucked her chin, but not before he noticed her smile. She licked her lips, then pulled her hand down into her lap. Her head lifted to look at him. “I have to say, never in a million years would I have guessed you’d be here tonight.”
Jeremy leaned his forearm on the table. “Oh yeah? And why is that?”
Her big brown eyes twinkled. “Keri led me to believe I was doing this mystery guy a huge favor. Like he was a charity case or something, and if I didn’t show up, then he would be doomed to become a full-fledged hermit.”
He dipped his bread in the oil and took a bite. “So you’re here out of pity. I see how it is.”
Mackenzie tore off a small piece of her baguette and popped it into her mouth. “More like Keri knows how to manipulate me into doing things I don’t want to do.” She dashed the crumbs off her fingers. “Okay, now you know how I ended up here tonight. What’s your real story? No way do I believe you need your friend to set you up on a blind date.”
Jeremy reached for another slice of bread. “Coercion, same as you.” He chewed, then lifted his water glass to his lips. “Actually, Alejandro said he met someone at work who came with herfriend who—” He stilled, pieces sliding into places. “You have a loved one at the memory center.”
Mackenzie ran her finger over the stitching of her cloth napkin. “My mother.”
He studied her, almost seeing her in a new light. He didn’t know the actual price care like that cost, but he knew it didn’t come cheap, and insurance rarely covered all the expenses. Which meant...
Mackenzie nodded as if confirming his sudden epiphany. She wasn’t competing for the promotion for the status the new job brought or even because she wanted the change. The driving force shoving her outside her comfort zone had everything to do with taking care of her mother.
Jeremy’s spine crashed against the back of his chair with the impact of a head-on collision. Which was kind of how he felt. Disoriented. Shocked. Wondering what he should do next.
Thankfully, he was saved by the server arriving with their main courses. She set steaming plates of fresh pasta down in front of them, asked if they needed anything, then wished them a good meal before checking on other diners.
Alejandro offered to pray, and they all bowed their heads. After a quietamen, the sound of silverware bumping together prologued Keri leaning forward and jumping back into conversation.
“Alejandro told me there’s an ice-skating rink next door. Are you guys up for that after dinner?”
She looked at Mackenzie, silent communication traveling between them. Anyone could decipher the message, though. Keri’s eyes were practically begging, while Mackenzie seemed hesitant.
Alejandro caught Jeremy’s gaze, raising his brows with his own question. This night had already made Jeremy’s resolve to stick to his objective so much more difficult. Not only would he have to grapple with his growing attraction and appreciation for Mackenzie, but he’d have to untangle the mess brought by knowing of her need for the promotion to pay for her mother’s care.
He turned to Mackenzie. “Do you want to go?”
She searched his eyes. “It could be fun?”
“Okay, then. Let’s do it.”
Fun and torture. He had a feeling tonight the two went hand in hand.
21
I finish tying the laces, the length of which surpassed the obnoxious level a long time ago, and tuck the ends into the top of the tan skates. My ankles wobble as I try to stand on blades the width of kitchen knives. My arms flap, my balance pitching me to the side. I’m about to yelltimberin warning when a strong pair of hands wraps around my waist and steadies me.
“I’ve got you.” Jeremy looks down, his breath warm on my face.
Now that you’ve got me, never let me go.
Christmas magic really does exist, because I successfully keep that thought to myself instead of blurting it out.
“Thank you,” I manage to say.
Slowly his hands fall away to settle at his sides. I want to believe the delay in letting me go is due to reluctance. A truer explanation is that he probably wanted to make sure I was steady on my feet.
I still can’t believe he’s even here. This whole night was supposed to be a practice run with someone I had no feelings for and would never see again. All to prepare me for the man standing in front of me.
He snaps the clips of his hockey-style skates to his feet, then unfolds and stands tall. “Ready?” He holds out his hand to me.
I want to take it. I want to cling to him and rely on his strength to hold me up. But I want to walk on my own two feet too. Figuratively more than literally, because there is a 99.8% chance I’m going to bruise my backside by falling before the night is through.
“I can do it,” I say, more of a pep talk to myself than anything.
