Page 15 of Meet Me on Christmas Eve

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Outside the cafe, Nina gave Jane a quick kiss and said goodbyes to Hazel and me.

“Thanks for agreeing to visit with us some more today, Jane,” I said, offering my hand to her as we stepped down the curb with a thin layer of snow. We were walking to our car, which was parked closer to the Christmas shop, since the cafe didn’t have any parking right outside.

“Well, it’s either that or go home and endure Nina’s soap operas,” Jane said, her lips twisting into a reluctant smile. “This seemed like a slightly better option. I hope you’re responsible drivers.”

“Of course,” I assured her. As we approached the shop, I started my pitch. “So, I was hoping to tell you a bit more about my vision for the Christmas village, and the shop really features prominently in that vision. When we go inside, I think I can lay it out for you better.”

“Trust me, Jane, she can,” Hazel said, squeezing Jane’s hand slightly.

Jane nodded warily. “Go on.”

I took a deep breath. I couldn’t blow this chance. “By all accounts, Christmas is—”

“Janie!” came a deep voice from behind.

My heart sank. I knew that voice.

Apparently Jane did too, because she halted and turned. “Well, if it isn’t Mr. Grant.” She leaned back and whispered to me, “The handsome one … I knew the elder, and he wasn’t much to look at, trust me.”

She knew Terry's father? Interesting.I might’ve laughed at her brutal honesty if I hadn’t been so dismayed by Terry’s appearance.Again.He had the worst timing.

Worse yet, he knew Jane. This couldn’t be good.

“Janie, the loveliest lady in Shipsvold. Or maybe Minnesota.” His face transformed into a smile.

I nearly gasped and had to look away immediately. He couldn’t … he shouldn’t be allowed to smile. What the hell. Why is he trying to torture me?

Jane was giving him her cheeks to kiss, and she returned the smile, happier than we’d seen her all day. We had managed to thaw her a bit during lunch, though she’d still maintained that she wasn’t at all sure she wanted to sell.

“Say, Terry, do you know these girls?” She pointed to us on either side of her. “I just met them, but apparently they’ve lived up there in the castle for a while.”

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I’d heard the resort jokingly called a castle before, and it was always said in a demeaning way. And anyway, Hazel didn’t live there. She had an apartment in town, actually.

I dared to look at Terry, whose eyes were on me, his expression unreadable. “Yes, I know them. A bit.”

I had to unclench my teeth and fight the urge to glare at him. He didn’t look as though he was happy to ‘know’ us, and if Jane knew him well, his impression might matter to her. I was going to have to play nice. “We did have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Grant a few times recently.” I smiled at both of them.

Hazel nodded. “What apleasureit was.” I noticed when Jane wasn’t watching, Hazel glared at Terry. And this made me smile genuinely. She had my back, always.

“Oh, silly me, yes, I forgot you mentioned you know Marian,” Jane said, patting Terry on the arm that she held onto.

He … what? My eyes widened, darting to meet his. He merely raised a cocky eyebrow before looking back at Jane.

“I was actually just heading home. Would you like a ride home, Janie?” the asshole asked her.

No, no, he wasnotgoing to take away this opportunity. I had to talk to her—I had to—

“You know, gals, I’m tired.” She looked at me and then at Hazel. “I don’t know if you’re good drivers yet. We’ll talk sometime. Terry, I’m all yours.”

When they’d left, I sighed deeply. “What is it about her and safe driving?” I asked, my tone grumpy. I was feeling petty, not a familiar feeling for the sophisticated Mariana. Who was I lately? Ugh.

“Maybe she or someone she loved was in an accident,” Hazel said thoughtfully.

The guilt rushed in. “You’re right.”

Once we were in the car, I covered my face with my hands.

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