Page 28 of Secret Santas and Holiday Dances

“It might be,” Liam said. Especially if large settlements were a common occurrence in her divorces. It wasn’t unheard of for an ex to attack a person’s character to get things their way.

“Four times,” she said, grinning. “But my ex has been married five.”

They were halfway to the front now.

Liam cleared his throat. “Why does he think he’s entitled to the apartment?”

“Apparently the prenup had a clause that said all assets would be divided equally in a divorce—barring cheating,” she said. “I had no idea that was in there when I signed, and since he didn’t cheat, he gets half of my assets. He was always tricky like that. The whole thing is ridiculous—I’m not made of money.” Her phone beeped an incoming text, and she pulled it out of her purse. “It’s Grace.”

Liam’s heart thudded hard in his chest from just hearing her name. Charlotte tapped out a message with a little grin, and Liam’s mind wandered to yesterday when he’d had Grace over to help him decorate his tree. He’d almost kissed her. But he’d gotten a text message from Charlotte, double-checking they were still good for their lunch meeting, and after that, he’d, well, he’d chickened out. It hadn’t been his finest moment, but he was still working out what it was he felt for her. The last thing he wanted to do was to lead her on. Especially because her friendship meant so much to him. He had to tread carefully here.

He had actual issues that he only now was realizing he hadn’t dealt with since coming home.

When Grace had left to go to her family for dinner, he’d been glad for some time to think, to figure out what it was he wanted. He’d been so closed off to the possibility of a relationship since coming home, and he’d kept Grace at a safe distance from the time he’d met her because of that, but things were changing.

That’s why he’d called and invited her to dinner tonight. They needed to talk. Lay it all out. And if all went well, he wanted to ask her to be his date to his family’s Christmas party on Friday.

Charlotte gave a happy little sigh and shoved her phone back in her purse. “I think I’ll get one of those chocolate croissants.”

Liam fought the urge to ask about Grace. He knew Grace and Charlotte had a weird dynamic and felt strongly he shouldn’t make any conversation with Charlotte about Grace. He didn’t want to be a person Charlotte felt she could turn to about Grace. Especially because Grace was so reluctant to say anything. He’d tried getting her to talk over the weekend, but her lips were sealed tighter than a drum. And, oh, those lips!

He should’ve kissed her. Why hadn’t he just kissed her?

It was finally their turn at the front of the line.

“Hi, Liam.” Presley greeted them with a smile. “The usual?”

“That’d be great. Thanks, Presley,” Liam said. How Presley remembered what so many people in town liked was beyond him—she was probably really good at those memory games with the cards you flip over and match up.

Presley turned to Charlotte. “You’re Grace’s mom, aren’t you? I’m Presley. We all love Grace around, here, she’s such a sweetheart.”

“She is,” Charlotte said, and rested a hand on Liam’s back as she leaned over the counter. “Your hot chocolate is amazing. I was just telling Grace I’m going to end up needing a diet after Christmas because I can’t get enough of it.”

Presley laughed. “It’s a crowd favorite.”

A gust of wind swirled through the bakery as someone stepped inside.

“It’s my favorite,” Liam said.

Charlotte pointed at him. “Careful or you’ll have to go on a diet with me.”

Liam chuckled.

“I’ll grab those drinks.” Presley headed off.

“And a chocolate croissant, please.” Charlotte stepped closer to Liam. “Liam, thank you for everything you’ve done this last week and for helping me now. I’m sure you’ve had plenty other things to do than look after me.”

“It was my pleasure.” Liam grinned.

Charlotte stepped closer again, and before he could react, she went up on her toes. “It can be,” she said and kissed him.

Of all the things he’d expected of Charlotte, he’d never once thought she’d kiss him. In the shock of it, he closed his eyes and froze. It was seeing Grace’s face in his head that yanked him, violently, out of it. He grabbed Charlotte’s shoulders and pushed her back. To use a favorite phrase of Grace’s: Oh, no, oh, no, oh no!

“Stop, we can’t do this,” he said.

“Why?”

Because I’m in love with Grace. The thought hit him like a bolt of lightning.

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