Page 36 of Flirting with the Scrooge

Olivia twists around. “Hi Mother. I didn’t see you there.” She flashes her a fake, snarky smile. Olivia totally saw her, but purposely ignored her, which has been going on since the whole Ledger and our parents’ debacle.

“So, you got Chef Louis-Paul to cater your event,” our mom says very matter of factly.

“I did. And I did it all on my own.” Olivia holds her head up high. She’s worked her ass off to get her event coordinator business off the ground. With each event she does, she gets new clients and with each party, she finds new connections. Pretty soon, every party in Harbor Highlands will be organized by Olivia with me by her side.

“Congratulations. I’ve heard he’s a hard chef to commit to events.” While she may have said the words, her congratulations are anything but. Then she returns her attention to me. “So, you never said anything about Adam. Is he coming?”

I was hoping she would have moved on from the question, but I guess not. With my shoulders squared and my head held high, I inhale a deep breath, knowing it’s time to rip off the proverbial Band-Aid. “Actually, he’s not.”

“Is he busy with work again?” She raises a hand and fusses with a strand of my hair. “I swear he works so much I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a cot at the office.” She cackles to herself.

I move my head and step away. “No. He’s not coming…” I inhale a deep breath, preparing myself for what she’ll say next. “Because we’re not together anymore.”

She gasps and rests her hand on her chest. “What happened?” Leaning in so no one else can hear, she whispers, “Did he break up with you?”

My heart plummets to the ground, leaving a Tatum sized heart shape indent in the floor. I laugh to myself. Of course, her first reaction would be that he broke up with me. Even though he did, it still stings. “What makes you think he broke up with me? Never mind. It doesn’t matter. We’re no longer together.”

“While this isn’t ideal, I was hoping we could add a lawyer to the family to go with the mechanic we got.” Her gaze narrows at Olivia as sarcasm laces her voice. “But this works out perfectly. Dr. Berkshire has a newly single son. I’ll have to introduce you two.”

“Don’t do it,” Olivia softly sing-songs into her wineglass.

My gaze flits to her, and she discreetly shakes her head. I shift my attention back to our mom. “That’s not a good idea. It’s a recent breakup. I’m not sure I want to date again so soon.”

“Nonsense.” She flicks her wrist in the air. “You can’t go to your own event without a date. It’s not a good look. Come with me, I’ll introduce you.” She tugs on my hand.

My eyes go wide as I stare at Olivia. I don’t know what to do right now. Being set up by my mom is the last thing I want. After everything that went down with Olivia, I know her wanting to set me up is only to benefit her and her alone.

Olivia’s hand reaches out and grips my other wrist and spits out, “She already has a date.”

My brows furrow in confusion because I certainly don’t have a date.

“She does?” My mom twists to face me. “Is that true?”

Now, it’s like I’m in a tug of war match with my body being the rope. And I need Olivia to win. “Um, yes?”

She drops my wrist. “I can’t wait to meet him next weekend.” With a tight lipped smile, she saunters away. I’m sure to talk or flirt with Dr. Berkshire’s son herself.

As soon as she’s out of earshot, I grip Olivia’s elbow. “What the hell? I don’t have a date!” I whisper yell. “Who am I going to find to be my date in less than a week?”

“I was saving your ass. You’re welcome. But also, perhaps a certain hot new neighbor can be your date.” She tips back her glass of wine, swallowing a sip.

“Connor? No way! Not happening.”

“Why not?”

“Because…” Shit, I don’t know why. The short span of our relationship, if you can call it that, has been a rollercoaster ride. Asking him to do me this favor seems like a major disaster. Plus, Adam will be there. Ugh! My life is a hot mess. An explosive disaster.

“See. You don’t have a reason why you shouldn’t. You know Adam is going to be there. Don’t give him the upper hand in thinking you’re still pining over him.”

* * *

With one high heeled foot crossed over the other, I hold a tray of cookies in my hand like a server. Softly, I knock on his door. When it flies open, his heated gaze rakes over my body in nothing but a white lace bra and panties. He doesn’t say a word, the lust in his eyes says it all. Not wanting to waste another second, he rips the cookies from my hand. His arm wraps around my waist and drags me inside. He walks me backward toward the roaring fireplace and lays me down on a plush makeshift bed. Without saying a word, he proceeds to eat cookie crumbles off my half naked body, starting on my chest and then working his way down to my stomach. My fingers thread through his dark hair as he makes his descent toward my pussy.

I jolt awake, jackknifing out of bed, fingers still clenching the blanket. A sheen of sweat covers my entire body. My heart hammers in my chest. I blink a few times as I smack down to reality. I’m at my house and not in Connor’s living room. What the hell was that? The dream was so real. And the ache between my legs proves it.

All through the night, ever since Olivia planted the seed, I thought about Connor and asking him to be my date. Apparently, he not only occupies my daytime thoughts, but also my dreams. Now, not only am I sexually frustrated but I’m still without a date. Groaning, I flop down onto the mattress and drape my arm over my eyes. At the very least, I wish I could have seen the dream to the end.

Since I can only make one of these things a reality, I roll out of bed and throw a robe over my shoulders. Once I’m in the kitchen, I pull out bowls, measuring cups, flour, eggs, butter, and chocolate chips and I set out to bake my bribe.

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