Page 20 of The Crush of Christmas Past
Yet…here I am.
And thereheis.
Theo stands by the entrance, coat dusted with snow, hair slightly damp from the weather. He pauses to wipe off the bottom of his boots on the doormat, scanning the space in the process.
Since I’m the only one at our table who has instinctively looked over, his gaze locks on mine before sliding to Asher. Hisbrow furrows, and for a moment, I swear I catch a trace of something sharp in his expression. Then it’s gone, replaced by that unreadable mask he wears so well. With a quick roll of his shoulders, he moves toward us, long strides full of purpose.
Well,shit.
One happy side effect of staging a full-blown, high-stakes career overhaul? I’ve successfully managed to avoid him for the past few days.
It’s not like I’m hiding on purpose. I’m simply prioritizing business opportunities. And sanity. Also, the ability to breathe. All oxygen tends to get sucked out of a room the second he walks in.
“Jovie emergency?” He stops at our booth and narrows his eyes at his siblings. “Looks more like a cupcake party to me.”
“Join us,” Holly says, shooting to her feet and practically shoving him into her seat. “Isla and I were just finishing up.”
Asher leans closer to peek at my mock-up. “Is this the latest project you’ve been pouring your heart into?”
I nod. “It’s almost finished. I just need to fine-tune a few things Holly and I discussed.”
“Isla has been an absolute dream of a creative partner.” Holly’s words make me melt. And blush. Then melt some more. “I hope she gets to rebrand the whole town.”
Willow wiggles her eyebrows at me, then tosses her brother a playful wink. “Watch out, Teddy. Our girl is about to run your firm into the ground.”
Theo doesn’t reply. When I dare to look across the table, I realize it’s because he’s preoccupied with staring at my work.
Probably analyzing each line and dissecting every stroke.
“No doubt she could if shewanted to,” he shocks me by saying.
Before I can process a statement that sounds startlingly close to praise, Asher claps his hands with dramatic flair.
“Whoa.Was that a compliment? From Theodore Thorne? The advertising ice king himself?” He whips out his phone and aims it at his brother. “Say it again. I want it memorialized for posterity.”
“Isla doesn’t need my compliments,” Theo says. “Her work speaks for itself.” It’s a simple string of words, delivered with casual ease, yet there’s a weight behind them that makes my heart beat faster.
I’m tempted to remind him that I had a great mentor, but it feels risky to get personal in public, so I turn to Holly instead. “The work is easy when you have such a wonderful client—and a magical place to bring to life. Your grandmother’s secret icing recipe has gotten me through more hard days than I care to admit.”
Willow nods her agreement. “We’re all big fans, but Isla takes her devotion to the next level. I just found out my big brother has been ordering cupcakes from here on a weekly basis.”
Holly beams at me. “You’re the reason I was able to do all the renovations last year. Your man put us on a retainer just to spoil you. And he’s so thoughtful—he even insists on paying the driver quadruple for delivery into the city. I know I shouldn’t play favorites, but he’s definitely my best client.”
Willow leans over to pinch Asher’s cheek. “Such a charmer.”
A small wrinkle appears between Holly’s brows as she watches the interaction. She opens her mouth to speak again when Theo cuts in with his order.
“May I get a coffee, please?” His manners contradict his gruff tone. “Black.”
“Sure thing.” Holly’s frown dissolves, and she nods before slipping away.
“Anything for my sweet Isla,” Asher teases, nudging my shoulder. “She’s worthy of all the sugar in the world. I mean, just look at her. And her work!”
I suppress a gag at his theatrics. He’s laying it on so thick I’m shocked we’re not all drowning in syrup.
“Even thorny Theo appreciates her skills,” he continues.
My cheeks heat as Theo’s focus shifts back to me. I can’t tell if his expression is that of apathy or irritation. Either way, my nervous system takes it personally.
