Page 139 of A Merry Mountain Christmas

“Your tyrant assaulted me with a crystal!” She points to the red lump that’s beginning to form on her forehead.

“My little Apple would never do anything of the sort!” blond ponytail insists, just as her daughter throws another crystal that whacks the poor woman on the cheek.

“Oh shit,” Tina groans, “I better handle this,” and hurries over to intervene.

“You have to admit the kid has good aim,” I say under my breath.

To my surprise, Mary chuckles. “That she does.”

She picks up the teapot and fills my cup half full, then does the same to her own.

I’m more of a coffee guy, but I pick up my cup and take a sip, surprised to find it’s not half bad. Then I gesture to the plate of fishy sandwiches. “I think we were about to luck.”

Mary chokes on her tea, spraying it on the table and my lower arm. “Oh, my God. I’m so sorry.”

I grab a napkin and wipe off my arm, trying not to laugh when I realize what she thought I’d said. “What got you so choked up, Mary?”

She looks mortified, so I pick up the “lucky” sandwich and take a slow bite. Her eyes are watching my lips, and her skin flushes again.

I shouldn’t do this. Hell, the moment I sat down, she told me she has an “inappropriate” attraction to me. Why am I tormenting her?

Of course, I know exactly why, and I’m venturing into very dangerous waters.

The mother of the tyrant is now screaming at the assaulted woman, and Mary’s eyes grow huge.

“I saw a food truck in the parking lot down the street,” I say. “Want to check it out?”

“God, yes,” she says in a rush as she digs in her purse and pulls out her wallet. She lobs a twenty on the table, grabs her coat, and stands. “Let’s go.”

Then she bolts for the door as if Apple were hurling crystals at her.

When I get outside, she’s struggling to get her arm in the sleeve of her coat, so I help her slip it on. Once finished, I realize she’s looking up at me in wonder.

“Let me guess,” I say, trying to hide my irritation. “Glenn never helped you with your coat.”

Her gaze drops to the sidewalk.

“Excuse me for saying so, but it sounds like Glenn’s a real dick.”

She meets my gaze, surprising me when she bursts out laughing. “You’re not the first person to tell me that since I’ve moved back to Asheville.”

I’m about to reach for her hand, but I stop myself. This isn’t a date. I’m on the verge of telling her I’m an ex-con, for fuck’s sake. Something I should have told her half an hour ago, and should definitely tell her now, but she says, “Come on. I only have a half hour left, and I’m starving.”

We head down to the food truck, which is serving street tacos. As we look over the menu displayed on the side of the truck, I ask her what she’s thinking.

“That I should never have suggested Tea of Fortune for lunch.”

I laugh, and as she turns to look at me, the wind catches her cropped hair, blowing several strands across her face. I shove my hands into my pockets to keep from sweeping the locks behind her ear.

On the off chance she doesn’t lose her mind when she finds out about my past, I need to make sure I keep our relationship aboveboard. There’s Aidan to consider, after all. “I meant what are you thinking about for lunch?”

“Oh,” she says. “Fish tacos.”

“Okay.” I approach the window and order for both of us.

After I pay, I join her at the side of the truck, where she’s standing with her arms wrapped over her chest.

“You didn’t have to buy my lunch. I would have gotten it.”

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