Page 5 of Christmas Hearts

"I love you, Mom."

She leaves my office with a smile on her face. I look at the time and it's already five in the afternoon. I want to change into some better clothes, so I rush to my house to shower and change. I feel out of place wearing a suit, but if I'm going to propose again, I need to look good doing it.

With one last look into the mirror, I leave my house and go meet my future wife.

Chapter 3

Ana Maria

It's five thirty in the afternoon, and I've already changed a dozen times. Nothing seems to look 'right' for my meeting with Justin. I haven't been this nervous in years. Add to that the fact that today was the first day in five years I didn't see him at the library.

Something happened, but I'm not sure what. He wouldn't just miss a day of coming to the library to volunteer. He's never done that before. I'm being silly. Nothing's happened. I just need to choose a dress for tonight.

I remind myself for the hundredth time that this is not a date. It's a simple meeting where he will apologize for offering me money to become his wife. The offer made me feel cheap andhurt my self-esteem. It took me a few hours, but I realized my reaction was something I could control, and I didn't need to feel those negative things.

Finally I just throw on something warm and leave for my meeting. I'm conflicted about Justin Hoffer and his presence in my life. Yes, I've had the biggest crush on him for the past five years, but he's kept a line between us that I have respected out of fear mostly.

I arrive ten minutes before the hour and get out of my car. Justin is in the parking spot next to me and turning off his engine. Our eyes meet, and a wave of heat goes through my body. That man is hot. What wouldn't I give to be in his arms.

My eyes are glued to his body, and I find myself blushing. He gets out of his truck and walks towards me.

"You're going to freeze if you stand here much longer. Let's go inside where it's warm."

He waves for me to go before him, and I snap myself out of the daze I'm in. Once inside he shows me to a booth – they are a new addition to the shop – and we sit across from one another. It's as if we are on a date, but I need to keep reminding myself this is not that. At all.

"Thank you for meeting me here, Ana."

I don't feel like doing any small talk, so I just take the bull by the horns.

"I'm sorry I slapped you, but you made me feel cheap with that offer."

"What? Cheap, why?"

"You offered me money. I'm not a whore or a gold digger, Justin."

He takes in a deep breath and seems to be digesting the words.

"I'm sorry, too,” he says, looking down. “I was desperate."

"Desperate?"

I don't understand anything this man is saying.

"Let's go back to the beginning. I was told I could not volunteer at the library anymore."

"What? Who told you that?"

"A letter by the board of trustees of the library. But Mayor Douchebag came to gloat at my office, so I'm pretty sure he's got something to do with it."

"He mentioned he was going to take care of you. I didn't know what he meant when he said it. I'm sorry."

"I'm going to run for mayor, but my winning depends on you."

I'm surprised at this information. A lot of us in town have been hoping for someone to run against Mayor Mitchell. Justin’s words give me pause.

"What do you mean it depends on me?"

"I need two things that only you can help me with. I need a wife and a campaign manager."

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