Page 12 of The Duke Who Saved Christmas
“Ah, that’s right.” He stepped aside and held the door for an elderly couple to leave, then let it slowly close. “You’re only here because Hazel is getting married. You’re the maid of honour, aren’t you?”
“And the wedding planner,” I retorted sharply.
“Must be nice to do that for free.”
“I’m sure it is for those who aren’t in the business of planning weddings.”
His eyebrows quirked upwards. “Are you?”
“I have been for the last nine years, thank you. I prefer to charge for my services.”
“And you’re charging your sister?”
“I’m a businesswoman, not a charity,” I snapped. “I don’t know why I’m standing here justifying myself to you of all people.”
Those pale pink lips curved into a smirk that was almost sardonic. “Oh, how you wound me.”
“Listen to me, Tho—”
I was interrupted by the café door opening, something Thomas caught, and he held the door for the gaggle of teenage girls who left with the same giggles they’d entered with.
“Carry on,” he said when they’d passed.
God, I hated him.
“Listen to me, Thomas Castleton,” I said firmly. “I am—”
“That’s Your Grace, The Duke of Castleton these days,” he replied, and a dark shadow passed across his gaze. “If you’re going to address me so indignantly, do it properly.”
The human part of my hatred squeezed uncomfortably.
I knew what that meant.
I’d grown up with the sorry git.
If he was now the duke, it meant he’d lost his father, and I wasn’t so cruel as to ignore such an event. Nor would I dismiss it just because I thought Thomas to be a pompous, selfish, arrogant bastard who needed a good smack around the back of a head with a good old frying pan.
“I’m sorry,” I said softly after a moment.
“Don’t be. We both know you don’t mean it.”
I clenched my jaw. “I see you haven’t grown up a bit.”
“I have but seeing you takes me back twelve years. What can I say?”
“If you were this immature twelve years ago, I fear for your wife.”
“Who said I’m married?”
“Nobody, but you being single makes a hell of a lot more sense that you actually being married,” I shot back. “And if you are, my condolences to the poor woman.”
Thomas’ lips twitched. “No woman to speak of, wife or otherwise.”
“Then my congratulations to those who are smart enough not to engage in marriage with you,” I replied, taking note of my phone vibrating again. I glanced at the screen, noting Hazel’s name. “Sorry. I have to take this. I’ll see you… well, hopefully I won’t,” I finished, turning on my heel and walking away from him as I moved to answer the call.
I just missed it, but it didn’t stop me from continuing and calling her right back. And I wasnotgoing to turn around and acknowledge that stupid man again.
“You called,” I said sharply when she answered.
