Page 77 of When the Fake Snow Falls

Nicolette. Nicolette is the one who gives him extra work, who tries to control him by keeping him at the office, who got drunk and pounced on him at last year’s Christmas party. Does she know she makes him so uncomfortable he had to bring a fake date? Would she even care? Or would she laugh it off as part of the game?

I don’t even add my clients on social media because I try not to mix business with my personal life, and yet here I am, putting on a show for the client who single handedly changed my life.

This was a bad idea. Nicolette only thinks about herself, and the last thing I want to do is give her a reason to see me as the enemy. Then again, I thought I had Chase pegged until a few moments ago. He’s different than I thought he was, so maybe Nicolette is different too. Maybe there’s a chance sheisn’t going to use this as a reason to make me dread our appointments more than I already do. After all, it’s just a date at a company Christmas party.

Despite my pep talk, Chase appraises me and asks, “Are you okay?” The warmth of him next to me only adds to the sudden sweat prickling my forehead.

Taking a breath, I nod. “I’m fine.” But what if Nicolette’snotdifferent? What if she’s every bit as vindictive as I suspect she could be?

His eyebrows furrow, and he glances at the stage again before looking back at me. “What’s wrong?”

“I just . . .” My eyes dart to Nicolette again, her harsh gaze still appraising me like I’ve disappointed her. When I look back at Chase, I try to collect my scattered thoughts. “This might be a bad idea.”

Nicolette wraps up her speech with an enthusiastic, “So let’s have a great night!” and everyone stands to applaud.

The room breaks out into movement as people no longer feel confined to their tables like someone breaking a rack in pool.

“A bad idea?” Chase asks, confusion clearly displayed on his face.

“Notbad.” I shake my head. “I don’t know the right word. I just . . . your boss.” My eyes scan the room, and it isn’t difficult to find the woman I’d rather avoid. Her dress might as well make her a walking neon sign, and I have no idea how I missed her until now. I really was wrapped up in Chase. He completely blinded me. All I could see tonight was him, but that’s all changed. Nicolette heads straight for us, and now, all I can see is her.

Too soon, that cat-like purr of a voice grates down my spine. “Well, aren’t you the last person I thought I’d see here?”

Chase looks past me to his boss, the crease between his brows deepening. “You two know each other?”

I force myself to put on my best smile. “Hi, Nicolette.”

“Wedoknow each other.” Nicolette’s eyes are practically glittering as she looks between Chase and me. “The question is, how doyou twoknow each other?” She points a well-manicured finger between the two of us.

Chase raises an eyebrow, still looking clueless and beautiful. “Candace is my?—”

“Date. I’m his date.” I step closer to Chase, and his hand immediately finds the small of my back. He would have saidgirlfriend.It’s what we’ve been saying all night, butdatefeels like a safer bet right now.

With her lips parted, she does a slow nod. “Well, that’s . . . surprising. How did you meet?”

“At a coffee shop,” I answer pleasantly. If there’s anything being a hairdresser has taught me, it’s how to appease people until I’m blue in the face. “I was behind him in line, and we got to talking.” I glance up at Chase, but his eyes are fixed on his boss.

He inhales, and his hand on my back starts to trace small circles. “Yeah. As soon as I saw her, I knew I was done for.” He grins down at me, and it’s so fake. All of this is so,sofake, and yet I’m hanging on his every word. “But how do you two know each other?” he adds, snapping me from my daze.

Nicolette lets out a humorless laugh. “Oh, she’s my stylist,” she says with a wave of her hand and an air of importance. “In fact, I’ve brought in quite a few of her clients.” She turns to me. “Haven’t I?” Before I can answer, she shifts her attention back to Chase. “Poor thing could barely keep the lights on until I showed up.”

I note the subtle jab, but she won’t crack my mask. I’ve been wearing it every time she sits in my chair for months now. Looking at Chase, I say, “Nicolette was nice enough to refer some of her friends to me, and I have to admit, they’ve become my favorite clients.”

He nods but still looks like he’s trying to piece together what we’re not saying.

A server carrying hors d’oeuvres passes, and Nicolette stops her, holding out a twenty-dollar bill. “Could you be a doll and get me a martini from the bar? Make sure they use the good stuff.”

The girl looks mildly confused, like she’s debating telling this woman that fetching drinks isn’t in her job description, but she eventually takes the money and says, “Of course, ma’am,” before disappearing into the crowd.

Nicolette lets out a light laugh as the girl walks away. “Money,” she scoffs. “Such a dreadful thing.” When she turns back to us, her eyes unmistakably lock on me. “But it certainly does keep people loyal.” Her eyes flitter up to Chase. “Like this one and his impending promotion. He’s been such a hard worker.” She puts a hand on Chase’s arm, her thumb rubbing over his biceps, and his body tenses next to me. “Putting in all the nights, weekends, and after-hour phone calls. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”

I still smile. I still keep my shoulders relaxed and my body soft. But I hate this woman. I hate what she does to him. Minutes ago, he was an easy-going, confident force of a man, and now it’s like something in him has switched off. I could stand here all night and bullshit with Nicolette if he needed me to, but I don’t think that’s what he needs. I think he needs to get away from her.

“Well, it was such a pleasant surprise running into you here.” I intertwine my fingers with Chase’s, and his grip tightens around mine. “You’ll have to excuse us for a moment. I think I may have left my phone in the car.”

“Right. Your phone,” Chase says like that was the plan all along. He gives a tight-lipped smile to his boss in the sparkly dress. “Have a great night, Nicolette.”

He turns away without waiting for a response, but that silk-like voice calls him back. “Oh, and Chase?”

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