Page 302 of Screwged for Christmas

“Touché.” Her mind raced to keep up with her mouth because it was primarily weighed down with other questions such as, was he stalking her? And was that dinner date still open?

“I’ll see you two tomorrow then. Aspen, you’ll pick Ivy up, right?”

“Sure, Mrs. December. See you then.”

That made twice people volunteered to fling them together. She quietly wondered if the whole town was in on trying to hook them up, or if it was just Gran and her tightly-knit group of friends.

And as fast as she came barreling into her morning the woman was gone, half-filled cart and all.

“They sure are putting in overtime.”

“You caught on too?”

“You’d have to be blind and deaf to not notice what the threeamigasare up to.”

“Yep. I never took Gran to be such a masterful schemer but must have pulled a couple of all-nighters with her girlfriends to try to pull off the biggest game of matchmaker in Dixen history.”

Aspen leaned his weight forward on the handle of his cart and slid Ivy a side-eye look that summed up their entire day in the span of a heartbeat. “I’ll second that.”

Ivy snagged a couple of wine bottles and stashed one under each arm.

A smirk played with the edges of Aspen’s lips as he gestured a hand toward his cart. She slipped them in and before she could talk herself out of it went back for two bottles this time whiskey. “No judging,” she said when a smirk pulled at his lips.

“Not a fucking peep if you invite me to whatever party you’re throwing. Hands down it’s going to be better than the lonely night I have set up,” he reassured her.

“Ya know something, it’s almost a damn shame to let them think we’re not onto them.” Ivy side-stepped that trap like a pro. “Cruel since their best efforts are going in the trash alongside the fruitcake.”

She snapped her gaze to his. “I keep telling everyone, but I don’t think anyone is listening. I won’t be here long enough for their plan to work anyway. Besides did any of them think to ask what I wanted? What you want? No. It’s not like there’s anything between us.”

“So,haveyou thought of an excuse on how you’re going to ditch me and the town’s square Christmas party tomorrow night?”

Ivy took a deep breath and laughed at how he always cut right through any awkwardness and dove in headfirst. “I’m not leavingthatfast.” Or not at all if she didn’t get back to the inn before noon. “I’ve only come up with a couple of excuses so far. But,” she held up a finger to tap the side of her head. “I know I can do better by dinnertime tonight.”

“That doesn’t sound like a bad idea.” His voice was low and his lips peeled back in a smooth, easy smile.

“Aspen Kennedy, are you inviting me to dinner again?” Ivy arched a brow.

“I do happen to get hungry around six and there are only so many meals you can share with a bunch of rowdy firemen. Your messy braid and planner would be a sight for some very sore eyes.”

He reached over and gave the end a soft tug.

She stepped closer. “My planner, huh?” He made it sound as though it was a bad habit.

“I’ll admit the way you write in that thing with such passion has me intrigued.”

Oh.

“Don’t look so perplexed. I like different. You should know that. When everyone else is staring at tiny screens and looking for the next bell or whistle you go old-school. I always liked that about you.”

She never thought of it that way. “Is that all that has you intrigued?” Ivy stifled the urge to smack her forehead. She hadn’t meant to ask the question but it was out before she should shove her foot in her mouth.

Aspen pulled to a stop mid-aisle and she raised her gaze to his. “Not at all, Ivy Sunday.” He leaned she could see the golden specks in his brown eyes.

He stroked a finger along her jaw and she was right back on the eve of her wedding night filled with excitement and fear of the future.

“Say you’ll have dinner with me. Please? Or are you going to make me work harder for it?” His voice took a sexy, roughened dip and sent a chill of excitement along over her body.

He slowly straightened but kept his gaze fixed on hers. “While you think about it, care to share at least one of the excuses you’ve come up with on how to dodge Dixcemberfest and Mrs. December’s kitchen remodel? So I can counter it properly later, of course.”

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