Page 17 of Cross Check Christmas
“And… you’ll let me use your coffee shop after hours for a private date night. Full service, candlelight, the works."
“Seriously man?”
“And your famous tiramisu too. The one you only make for 'special occasions.”
Tucker drums his fingers on the table. “You drive a hard bargain, my man.”
“Don’t sound so surprised. And when I win, that poster better not have any coffee stains on it."
"But if you lose..."
"Which I won't."
"IF you lose, Boba Fett is all mine.”
“Fine.” I extend my hand.
Tucker grabs it, grinning like he's already won. "You've got until Christmas Eve, buddy. That's two weeks to melt the Ice Queen's heart."
"How hard can it be?" I try to sound confident, but my stomach's doing flips.
Tucker squeezes my hand and pulls me forward until my elbow hits the table. "Just remember,” he says, “Actual date, actual kiss, actual mistletoe. No cheating."
"You have my word,” I glare right into his eyes. “But if I find you trying to sabotage?—”
“I won’t have to.” He smirks and lets go of my hand standing up to get back to work. “Oh and Hendrix…” Tucker pauses dramatically. “May the Force be with you. You're gonna need it."
7
COLETTE
The scent of fresh-baked cookies does nothing to calm my irritation as I scowl across the street at the Coffee shop where Hendrix lounges by the window, deep in conversation with Tucker.
"I swear, if his head got any bigger, he wouldn't fit through doors." I slump onto a table at the window.
Daisy pipes fresh cream onto a row of cupcakes. "Who are we mad at today? Wait, let me guess - tall, dark, and hockey-obsessed across the street?"
"Look at them over there, plotting who knows what. Probably another scheme to ruin my pageant."
Daisy looks up from her cupcakes. "What did he do now?"
“He scheduled a 'team bonding' session during my rehearsal time. The principal made us share the gym. Share! With flying tennis balls!"
"Tennis balls?"
"Don't ask." I frown at the men across the street."Look at him, sitting there with Tucker, probably cooking up more ways to torment me. What are they even talking about?"
Daisy peeks through her display window at Tucker's Coffee across the street. "They do look suspiciously cozy."
"They're laughing. Why are they laughing? What could possibly be so funny?" I press my face against the window, squinting. "First he steals my gym time, then my students, and now he's corrupting Tucker too."
"Oh please.” Daisy waves her piping bag dismissively. “Tucker can't be corrupted. He’s already Evil Incarnate.”
I watch Hendrix lean closer to Tucker conspiring about something. My stomach does an unwelcome flip. "And now half my cast is more interested in hockey than learning their lines. Do you know Tommy forgot the words to 'Silent Night'? Silent Night! It's only the most famous Christmas carol ever written!"
"Those two are definitely up to something." Daisy narrows her eyes. "Tucker's probably giving him ideas. That man is a menace to society."
"Maybe they're planning world domination through overpriced lattes and hockey pucks?"
