Page 62 of Wintertime Love (Holiday 2)

He closes his mouth obediently, his eyes dancing in merriment.

“You just got proposed to, Clara,” Lucia says in awe.

“That wasn’t a proposal,” I complain. “That was him telling me. There was no ‘proposing’ involved.” I start untying my apron, my anger rising. “I’m going to go kill him.”

My friends grab onto both my arms, halting me, as they laugh.

“Breathe first,” Lucia advises.

“I’m not going to be manipulated into marriage!” I tell them, hysterically. The hysteria comes from the fact that I’m not sure I’m strong enough to not be swayed by this devious man’s manipulations and demands. I’m discovering that despite us knowing each other for not too long, Finn has learnt exactly which buttons of mine to press and how to get his way when it comes to me.

I have zero defenses when it comes to him and the bastard has no shame in using whatever arsenal he finds against me to get what he wants.

When Nick and Lucia release me, I cross my arms over my chest, telling them, “I’m not getting married, just so you know. I don’t have any plans to get married any time soon.”

Nick grins. “I don’t know, Clara. I’ve seen how you two are. You’ll be shouting at him one minute and then he’ll smile at you and you’ll end up doing exactly what he wants.” He glances at Lucia. “I think he’s already won.”

Lucia nods, gravely. “You’re a goner.”

I gave the two of them a baleful look. “Get out.”

Nick waves his cup around. “I’m a paying customer.”

I narrow my eyes at him and he suddenly looks wary. “Or I could go for a to-go box.”

I watch them leave but not before I’m teased for a full ten minutes. By the time they’re gone, I’m ready to rip Finn a new one for declaring something like this in front of people.

A few scant hours later, I realize why he did that.

During the dinner rush, I’m delivered a large bouquet and with a small person sized basket filled with chocolates and stuffed animals added in was a large satin covered soft heart with the words ‘Be my forever’ sewn on them.

Customers who’ve been eyeing me strangely ever since they walked in, see this as an opportunity to come over and offer congratulations.

I feel faint.

Of course, Finn would choose to say those fateful words in front of the two biggest gossips he knows.

Suddenly, the abnormal amount of people crowding the diner makes sense and I curse the Irishman in my heart. I’m going to sit on him and beat him senseless.

You would think that with Christmas around the corner, people would be busy. But they somehow always seem to make time for any gossip about this hot new romance blooming in their little town.

I can do little more than accept the sincere congratulations at some point because it’s becoming tiring to keep repeating that it’s not what they think. Every time I say it, I’m given baffled looks and it makes me grit my teeth at how much support Finn has garnered in his short time here.

That manipulative little shit.

I sigh inwardly, grimly staring into the expectant faces of my customers. “Stacy, put this in the office.” I shove the huge basket and flowers into the startled girl’s arms and roll up my sleeves, putting on my best professional face.

I’m not going to let Finn get into my head.

I move among the tables, taking orders, avoiding and deflecting any questions about why Finn isn’t here, and move away.

Hopefully, he’s somewhere far away and stays there till I calm down.

As people start leaving, I send Stacy home, wanting to take out some of frustrations with another thorough cleaning session. The diner is empty and although it’s not closing time yet, I start wiping down the tables, stewing silently, planning up cruel and torturous ways of getting Finn back for this.

Half the town now thinks we’re engaged or at least they know that he wants to marry me and I’m spurning his advances.

I grit my teeth.

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