Page 17 of Holiday Hook Up

Chapter 4

Adam pushed openthe Sugar Spoon’s glass door, Zoe Mathews fast on his heels.

“Zoe, I’m really not sure if I can do it. The last three times that I tried, I failed.”

“Adam, here’s the deal.” The Ice Heaven frozen yogurt shop owner loosened the red wool scarf around her neck and unbuttoned her black pea coat, shaking some snowflakes off it from the morning’s light dusting. “I had a lot to drink last night.A lot.I don’t know what Brandon puts in that Abby’s Potion cocktail of his, but it was powerful stuff. It made me do things I wouldn’t normally do.”

“You looked like you were having a bit of fun.” He snickered and scratched his chin. “I mean, from what I could see. It was kind of hard to tell with your face on Will’s for most of the evening.”

She put her hand up. “Stop right there. That was a huge mistake.”

“You’re not into Will?” He nodded a hello to Emma who was busy ringing up a customer.

“Oh, please.” She reached behind her and tightened her ponytail. “I’ve only been in this town a few months, and even I know that no woman can love Will more than he loves himself.”

Zoe certainly had a point. He unbuttoned his coat, suspecting that her racing up to him on the street corner minutes ago and following him into the bakery meant she wasn’t going to leave his side until she got what she wanted. He walked over to the counter and took a vacant stool, pulling out an empty one for Zoe. “So, if you don’t like him, why did you agree to be his Holiday Hook Up?”

She slid onto the stool and shook her head. “I’ve been asking myself that question since it happened. I’ll go through with it because I don’t want to let the senior center down, but I just need to know that at the end of all this Will and I will not be a couple. Ever. Can you help me?”

Adam could see the desperate plea in her baby blue eyes. Maybe he should try to do the spell on her. It wasn’t like he didn’t need the practice. The thing was, he felt like a colossal failure each time he got it wrong. It was embarrassing. He’d never failed at something so miserablyandso publicly.

The sideways glances . . . the pointing . . . the whispers . . . he was starting to understand what his dad must have gone through all those years ago being on the receiving end of town gossip. Not that he was making any excuses for his parents’ failed marriage and his dad’s indiscretion that ultimately led to breaking their family apart.

“Like I said, Zoe, I’m not sure I can do it. You’ve no doubt heard of my bad track record with the blue mixing spoon. If Will’s name shows up in the batter, you’re going to be pissed at me, and it might not even be right.”

“And if his name doesn’t show up in the batter, maybe that’s wrong, too, and he is your soul mate.” He pulled his iPhone out of his back pocket and set it on the counter in case his brother called. Tom said he’d give him a ring when he was leaving the house. The two were planning on getting a head start on one of their dad’s construction jobs later this morning, given they wouldn’t get much done this week leading up to Christmas.

“But you could try it.” Zoe rested her hand on his knee and batted her lashes in his direction.

He couldn’t help but grin. She was definitely cute and, with that bright, white smile, would probably wear him down, but not because he wanted her. No. His thoughts had been occupied for most of last night and the better part of this morning on the one mysterious blonde who he wasn’t really sure at this point was real or a figment of his imagination.

What the hellwasin Abby’s Potion?

He’d wanted to search for the beautiful woman he’d locked lips with, but shortly after the Holiday Hook Up, Rachel had asked him for a ride home. Not wanting to get behind the wheel, he’d accompanied her in one of the designated driver cars Brandon had arranged for the evening.

Hers was the first stop, and the whole ride there he wanted to ask his ex why she had made him her Holiday Hook Up but didn’t know how to start the conversation. Did she want to get back together? Why hadn’t she given off any signals that she was interested? And wasn’t she dating Carter?

When the driver pulled up to the house they’d once shared, Adam told her he’d call her tomorrow so they could plan their upcoming dates.

Was he really going to date his ex for the next two weeks? He’d wanted this opportunity for months, but now that he had it . . . well, he couldn’t remember a time he’d nearly gone unconscious from one of Rachel’s kisses.

Emma came over with two white mugs, setting them down. “I’m guessing you both might need this.” She poured coffee into each. “On the house.”

“Thank you.” Adam grabbed a cow creamer pitcher, pouring some in, and then handed it to his coffee companion. “Zoe had an interesting night.” He winked. “And has now requested my services with my friend, Mr. Blue Spoon.”

Zoe took a sip of her coffee and set her cup down. “If you do this, I’ll name one of my frozen yogurts after you.”

Adam couldn’t help but chuckle at that thought. “Adam’s Awesome Cherry Cheesecake does roll off the tongue,” he joked.

“Done.” Zoe slapped her palms on the pink countertop. “I’ll start experimenting with flavors this afternoon.”

Emma smiled and patted his hand. “I think anything with your name on it would be a huge hit in this town, and you do need the practice.” She crossed the bakery toward the door. Once there, she flipped over the “Open” sign. “It’s a slow morning, so let’s just close for a few minutes.”

Adam slid off the stool, cracking his knuckles. Practicing the spell on Zoe wasn’t actually a bad idea, and who knows, maybe he’d finally get it right. How awesome would that be? He clapped his hands. “Let’s do it.”

He followed Emma into the kitchen, and in no time, they returned to the counter with a white mixing bowl, all the ingredients he would need, and the infamous shimmering blue mixing spoon that Emma kept locked in her office safe.

“It’s all yours,” she said, handing over the spoon.

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