Page 19 of Scrooge

“I love Tucker Toys…” Laurent mumbles, and Haylee looks at him sharply.

“I need to tell my sister,” Haylee says, and my eyes narrow in on hers.

“The less people who know, the better,” I tell her.

“Well, you get two people in on this charade. I need at least one.” She moves her hands down to her hips, head tilted up to face me fully, that fiery nature back in play. I can’t say I hate it. Negotiation is a strength of hers, and I find it more attractive than I want to.

“Can she be trusted?” I ask her, and she rolls her eyes at me. My jaw clenches in frustration.

“Can I be trusted?” she bites back, and I don’t even have to question that. Something deep inside tells me she is loyal.

“Fine,” I say, nodding. “Your sister can know.”

“And no kissing, touching, or any funny business,” she says in a rush, waving her hand around, like she’s trying to smack away even the idea of it.

“Funny business?” I ask, cocking an eyebrow as my eyes trail down her body, just to further mess with her, taking in her short and curvy frame. When she sends me a death glare, I nod to her in agreement. “We don’t need to cross lines. Business only,” I confirm.

“You will need to kiss. At least in public. Hold hands, look at each other adoringly over candlelight dinners…” Laurent says, looking like he’s stuck in a daydream.

“No tongue!” Haylee demands, shaking her head at me pointedly. No woman has ever not enjoyed their time with me, and I am slightly taken aback that she isn’t interested in me that way. But it is a business proposal and there have to be rules. Her not wanting anything more with me will only make everything easier when it comes time to end things. Haylee insulted me from the moment we met, so clearly has no feelings toward me, romantic or financial or otherwise, outside of saving her toy shop. That suits me just fine.

“Fine,” I tell her, not wavering from her gaze.

“Then it is a deal.” She snaps out her hand for me to shake, and I slip my hand into hers, encasing her small palm in my own and shaking.

“I will get a legal document drawn up,” Sheridan says, smiling, clearly happy with this outcome.

“I will start on a media profile. Plan out where you two met and how long you have known each other. You can both study it and get on the same page, because when you go public, it is going to get busy,” Laurent warns, and I stiffen.

“We met at Tucker Toys, the place where all fairy tales come to life,” Haylee says, her eyes still searing into mine. I raise an eyebrow because, even though that is correct, I see it for what it is. A ploy for PR for the shop. To bring more business to the store, and I appreciate her hustle. “Tucker Toys is an institution. It is the heartbeat of this city. And it’s where Alexander found his love.”

Laurent’s smiling bright when she finishes.

“I think she just wrote the leading headline to the press release.” He practically swoons at Haylee’s feet, and I frown, not liking him looking at her like that, even though he has a husband at home.

“Very good, Haylee with twoE’s,” I murmur as my eyes wander over her appreciatively. We are still holding each other’s hands, and I soften my grip a little, our handshake ending, yet our fingers entwine like we both don’t want to fully let go. She looks at me and gives me a short nod. She isn’t happy, but she’s going with it. I probably could have chosen any woman for this job, but I knew they would get too clingy.

Haylee isn’t like the usual woman I date, or even socialize with. In fact, she is probably the total opposite. Her Converse and natural hair are physical evidence of that. She’s down-to-earth and uncaring of high society manners. More of a girl next door.

“Don’t act like you know anything about me,” she murmurs in disbelief, as Sheridan and Laurent talk about a game plan. “I could be anyone, and you want me to be your fake fiancée.”

“So tell me, then.” Leaning against my desk, I cross my arms, waiting.

“I am a single mom. Two kids. Their dad is a deadbeat who still comes around asking for money.”

“Seriously?” I ask, not happy, because I don’t do kids.

“No. Not really. That is my sister Jillian's life. But you started panicking then, didn’t you?” she asks.

I exhale a breath of relief, but I must not be subtle because she shakes her head.

“Did you even think this through, Alex? The media are going to have a field day.”

“Yes, they will, and that is exactly what we want,” Laurent says triumphantly.

“A media frenzy should highlight your store perfectly for the holidays,” I add, dangling the carrot one more time. And there she goes, pulling at her ear. Something I notice she does when she is either thinking or nervous. It is annoyingly cute. As is her out-of-control hair that falls past her shoulders, dark and thick.

“I think we organize a makeover this week,” Laurent suggests as he walks up to Haylee and looks her up and down.

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