Page 54 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Seven

“Then she can have the time off.”

“Fine. I’ll do it.”

He stared at her with shock along with Trisha. “You can’t work here!”

“Why not? It’s only a few hours for brunch.”

“You have no experience as a server. I have no time to train you.”

The woman actually gave a smug smile. “Yes, I do. I worked for years at a restaurant before I decided to open my flower shop. I can handle it.”

He opened his mouth to reject her ridiculous offer, but Trisha emitted a cry and hugged Devon. “Thank you, thank you! I’m so grateful for this!”

“No problem, sweetheart. Go take care of your mom.”

Tearfully, Trisha squeezed Devon one last time and raced away before Jameson could even speak.

He glared, caught between annoyance and a strange hit of arousal as she crossed her arms in front of her chest, raised her chin, and met his gaze head-on with sheer stubbornness. Trapped within those moss eyes, Jameson reminded himself she was an interloper trying to control his restaurant. “You had no right to interfere with me and my staff, flower girl.”

“It’s Christmas, restaurant boy. Are you always such a Scrooge?”

His voice iced. “Not everyone becomes a fool for a silly holiday.”

She actually gasped. “Oh, my God! You really don’t like Christmas?”

He wrinkled his nose with distaste. “It’s overrated, commercial, and sets up everyone for a letdown. What’s to like?”

“What about the trees? The lights? The presents? What about joy to the world and Christmas spirit?”

He practically sneered, warming up to his topic. “Christmas is an excuse to sell unneeded things to the population. To create doubt regarding your life, making one feel lonely, poor, needy, and empty.”

Her jaw unhinged. He refused to acknowledge how cute she looked. Were those freckles on her nose? Somehow, they only emphasized her earthly beauty. Her pink lips parted. “Tell me how you really feel. Did you not get the video game you wanted when you were younger?”

He refused to smile. “No. I just think the world would be a better place if we didn’t pin all hopes on a useless holiday.”

Instead of joking, she cocked her head and narrowed her gaze. His gut tightened. “Something made you feel that way.”

Oh, hell, no. He wasn’t going there. “Must be nice to shut down your business on impulse. I should’ve been a florist.”

That got her off topic. Steam practically rose from her head. “I’ll have my delivery person watch the shop. Running a successful business means employing people you trust who will help when you call.” Her sweet smile held poison. “I can’t imagine anyone wanting to answer the phone for your call.”

Damned if he had to smother a respectful laugh. Why was her sass so damn attractive? “Just make sure you pull your weight.”

Her voice snapped. “Don’t worry. You’ll get your full use of me.”

“Doubt it.”

Her eyes widened at his impulsive retort. Immediately, his muscles locked down as arousal hit full force. The hidden meaning in those words suddenly crackled to life with possibility. Jameson refused to show emotion on his features. He refused to let her gain a hint of his interest. After all, it was just a shallow, passing attraction. She was beautiful and headstrong. He was a virile male who found her desirable.

But she was all wrong for him.

He pivoted on his heel. “See you Friday.”

She didn’t respond.

* * * *

Devon drove back to her shop and kept going over the scene with Scrooge.

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