Page 23 of A Very Merry Enemy
And then I see him.
Lucas is carrying a massive fir over his shoulder like it weighs nothing, muscles flexing beneath his red and black flannel. His jeans are worn and dusted with dirty work boots crunching through gravel.
He’s smiling at the young couple following him. He gives them that easy, charming smile I always adored. The one that shows his little dimple.
I hate that I notice. Hate that my eyes track his movements across the lot. Hate that some traitorous part of my brain registers how good he looks.
“Busted.”
I jump, nearly dropping the broom. Bella’s standing in the kitchen doorway, arms crossed, smirking.
“I wasn’t?—”
“You were totally staring.” She joins me at the window.
“I was not,” I snap. “Just looking at the gift shop.”
“Uh-huh. And that’s why you were biting your lip?”
“I wasn’t biting my—” I stop myself. “I’m not going toargue.”
“Holiday.” Her voice lowers. “You can admit he’s attractive. It’s not a crime. Everyone knows Lucas is hot. All of my friends tried to get with him. I’ve heard every disgusting thing a person could say about my cousin.”
I sweep harder, the bristles scraping against the floor. “His attractiveness is irrelevant. His personality makes him ugly as fuck.”
“He watches you, too.” She pauses. “I caught him.”
My head snaps up. “What?”
“When you’re not looking. I’ve seen him standing out there, staring at the bakery.” She shrugs. “Dean had to call his name three times yesterday to get his attention.”
Something twists in my chest, something I have to ignore.
“He’s probably just making sure I don’t burn the place down,” I say, emotionless. “Or planning his next move to piss me off.”
“Or maybe he has a thing?—”
“Whatever you’re about to say, don’t. Lucas made it very clear how he feels about me on Friday night. And yesterday. And every single day since I got back. So, I don’t care if he watches the bakery. I don’t care if he hasn’t dated anyone. None of it matters.”
Before she can respond, Wendy pokes her head out. “I’m done! Same time tomorrow?”
“Yeah. Thanks for today. You kicked ass.”
“We made bank in tips,” Bella says with a grin, deciding to drop it. “People are generous when they think they’re part of a love story.”
Never mind.
“I’m going to kick your ass,” I say. “This little matchmaker thing you’re trying to do won’t work.”
“If you say so.” She grabs her coat and gives me an evil smirk. “See you tomorrow, HoHo.”
The bell jingles as they leave, and then I’m alone with the half-swept floor and my thoughts.
Outside, Lucas is helping another family now, hoisting a little girl onto his shoulders so she can touch the top of a seven-foot tree. She squeals with delight, and he laughs. It’s a real one, and it floats through the cold air.
He watches you, too.
I grip the broom handle tighter, my knuckles going white.
