Page 12 of A Very Titan Christmas
She balanced on her feet, still crouched, and reached for the mug handle next to his foot. “I wasn’t looking—”
“Are you okay?” he asked.
That voice froze her in place even as her stomach catapulted into her chest. She tipped her head back and hesitantly stole a glance. “Bryce?”
His gaze shifted from his hot-chocolate-soaked shirt to her face. She couldn’t classify his tight-lipped, pinched-eyeexpression. It wasn’t surprise—no, closer to regret? That wasn’t it either. Whatever Bryce Richmond was feeling, it wasn’t positive. That was all the confirmation she needed to know it was really him.
Past and present collided. The corners of his mouth quirked in a way that was definitely not a smile. No, this man wasn’t surprised to see her, and he wasn’t thrilled to be coated in hot chocolate. Sudden realization—and total humiliation—dawned. Eloise had tracked Bryce down and invited him for coffee as well.
Bryce extended his hand to her. “Need a hand up?”
It was like she was sixteen years old again and staring at the cutest boy she’d ever met. Except he was now one hell of a man. Her cheeks flamed. She was peering at her first love from the floor and wanted to die. “I’m so sorry.”
He didn’t pull his hand back. She shifted the pieces of her mug into one hand and reached for the help offered to her with the other. Too late, she noticed her hand was sticky. He levered her off the floor.
“I’m so sorry,” Rachel repeated.
Saying it wouldn’t rewind time, but if she could impart how stupid she felt at this exact moment, maybe he wouldn’t hold it against her that Eloise had brought him back to Silverberry Ridge for a potential date. If only the floor would swallow her whole, then she could escape. Rachel waited, but the ground didn’t open into a gaping hole. She’d have to deal with Bryce. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
Mom rolled up next to Rachel. “Hello.”
His tight smile wasn’t genuine. “Mrs. Porter, I’d shake your hand, but…” He gestured to the obvious.
Rachel zoned out. Was it possible that Eloise didn’t recognize Bryce? If that was the case, Eloise hadn’t invited him to Silverberry Ridge to suggest they get together and provide her with grandchildren. Rachel’s ears pricked with the awkwardsilence, and she jumped back into the moment. Her gaze landed squarely on his shirt plastered to his stomach. “You need napkins, and I need to throw this away.”
“I’ve got it,” the barista said as she arrived with a mop.
“Thanks. I’ll get napkins.” Rachel stepped over the puddle but hesitated, unsure if leaving Eloise with Bryce was a good idea. If Eloise recalled who he was, she’d either remember how he’d broken Rachel’s heart or suggest they date again. If Eloise didn’t recognize him, she would see a stupidly attractive man and try to work her magic.
“Rachel?” her mother said.
She blinked, realized she was behaving like an idiot, and gave Eloise a warning look. If there were any discussion about Rachel’s lack of a love life before she returned with napkins, she would disappear into the mountain of poinsettias surrounding the couches. “Back in a second.”
Rachel darted to the counter, grabbed a fistful of napkins, and returned before Eloise could say anything she shouldn’t. The thin brown paper stuck to her hands as she tried to hand them to Bryce. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine.” He still didn’t sound like it was fine.
“What are you doing here, Bryce?”
His gaze flicked over her shoulder at Eloise. “I’m supposed to meet with your mother.”
Oh no. Eloisehadlost her mind and arranged for them to meet. Bryce had shown up, which was weird enough, but still, humiliation skyrocketed into her cheeks. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what has gotten into her. She’s lost her mind.” Rachel flicked her hand as if to hurry him away. “You can leave. It will be fine.”
“I’m right here, listening to you,” Eloise snapped as though Rachel were a child who needed to be reminded of her manners.
A line furrowed across his brow. “I’m sorry. I’m not sure what’s going on.”
She could neither imagine how Eloise had contacted Bryce nor why he would have agreed to meet.
“He’s a part of Titan Group,” Eloise said as if that had been covered when Rachel had zoned out and would explain everything.
Titan Group.“That’s another renovation company?” Rachel thought that, with his chiseled jawline and shoulders as strong as a mountain range, Bryce did not look like an average handyman. He didn’t look like an average anything.
She wanted to back away from him but couldn’t stop staring.
Eloise rolled her eyes. “No, it’s not a renovation company.”
“Did my mom arrange for you to meet us here?”
