Page 24 of Christmas Kisses

"But…But… I already paid a deposit."

"Not to worry, I told her to donate that to the city."

"I'm going to have to buy a ton of ingredients, and I won't be able to be open for the next two days if I have to do all that baking." My face is burning up.

He puts his hand on my shoulder, and I want to push it off, but Ben is watching our interaction, and I don't want him to find out what Mayor Douchebag is dropping on my plate at this late date. I take a deep breath and try to control myself. I can't believe I used to have a crush on this guy. The problem is, I want the Mixer to succeed. So I'm out of options.

"I'm sure you can handle it, Samantha."

"I really wish you'd stop calling me that," I mumble.

"Say, what now?"

"Can't you find someone else to help with this? My kitchen isn't big enough to do all of that baking."

"I believe in you, little lady. You can do anything you put your mind to. It'll be fine."

He reaches out to place his hand on my other shoulder, but I step back. That's when Ben steps in.

"Is there a problem here?"

The Mayor seems surprised by Ben's hostility, but it doesn't faze him one bit. “Nope. No problem at all.” He nods goodbye and leaves my shop.

"What was that all about?" Ben asks, still watching the Mayor outside the window.

"I'm going to have to do a lot of baking for the next two days. I'll have to close the shop."

"What? Why?"

"Flora is sick. She can't do it."

"Seems to me like you've already done a lot for that guy. Want me to go and tell him you won't do it?"

"No. I'm going to do it."

"Why? Becauseheasked you?"

I do not like Ben’s tone right now, and all I want to do is just scream at the unfairness of it all. Plus, I'm really pissed with myself for letting the Mayor trample all over me. Again.

"I don't like confrontations, okay? Besides, I want the Mixer to go on. It'll be good for the town."

"Are you still interested in him?"

"What? I…"

"You know what? Don't answer that. I don't want to hear it."

I'm surprised at the venom in his voice and don't do anything to stop him when he turns to leave the shop. I guess I'm on my own, after all.

Ben

I am completely enraged about what that man has done to Sam—again. I had to leave so that I could catch up with him, but I can't stop thinking that the reason Sam didn't say no to his request – if you could call it that – was that she still has feelings for him. That is killing me a little bit inside. It is true; I haven't officially asked her to be my girlfriend, but we've been intimate for the past several days, and she admitted that she belonged to me.

Seeing that guy put his hand on her shoulder got a rise out of me real quick. I tried my best to let Sam take care of things, but it all unraveled really fast.

I pick up my pace when I see him enter Lilah's Flower Shop and follow him in. He's leaning on the counter, flirting with Lilah. She looks flustered like most women do when he starts laying it on thick.

"Mayor, I'd like a word," I say.

---