Page 78 of Matchmaking the Rival

I brought my paper cup to my lips, then realized it was empty. "Oh, I finished my cocktail."

"Here, you can have some of mine," he said. "Actually, you can have all of it."

I took his cup, and my eyes bulged. I glanced up at him. "You only took one sip."

He cleared his throat. "It's a little too... Christmassy for my taste."

I burst out laughing. "Obviously—it's a Christmas cocktail. My God, you're a Grinch. I wouldn't have taken you for one."

"I'm not, I just like celebrating Christmas, you know, on the day itself. Not for what feels like half a year."

"Grinch," I repeated, taking a sip. His cocktail was even more delicious than mine.

I figured it might not be the best idea to drink all of it, too, because I might get super tipsy and have a hangover tomorrow. But between feeling cold and feeling tipsy, I’d go with tipsy every time.

The whole place seemed like something out of a painting. There were carolers somewhere, their light music filtering through the air—it was definitely live and not a recording. Decorations were literally everywhere, and I felt like a bobblehead looking left and right and every which way. Some of the shops had chosen simple themes, either red and gold or white and green, some silver and blue. Some were multicolored. I preferred them the most, as I loved color. For me, Christmas wasn't about a color palette or about what was trendy this year—not even about Santa Claus, although sitting on his lap as a kid had been great fun. No, for me it was a celebration for the soul, the heart, and the family.

"Easy!" Cade exclaimed, putting his hands on my arms, stopping me so abruptly that I nearly spilled the rest of his cocktail.

I looked up and realized I had been about to walk headfirst into a booth.

"You didn't see this? You were headed right for it."

"Um, no. I was a bit too lost in my daydreams." I glanced at the cup. "And in this."

Holy shit!I'd nearly finished his drink as well. I looked behind me. We'd already finished strolling Payer Street.When did that happen?

Cade chuckled. "You're drunk."

"Yeah, like a skunk," I agreed. “I can't even argue. I don't really feel drunk, but almost knocking into the booth indicates I am.”

A female voice broke the air. "Cade, what are you doing here?"

Cade and I turned in the same direction. I blinked, wondering if my eyes were playing tricks on me or if I was looking at the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.

"Esther," Cade said curtly.

Esther looked like an angel. She had light blonde hair that was completely straight, and she was wearing a beret that matched her scarf. Her coat was elegant, hugging her shape, and only reached her knees. Slim calves peeked out, ending in gorgeous stilettos. How was she wearing them in this weather? I looked like a snowman with my thick winter jacket and my UGG boots.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?" she purred.

"Meredith, this is Esther," Cade said.

"Nice to meet you," I said, reaching out to shake her hand. I felt Cade put an arm around my back.

"Babe, you're freezing," he murmured.

"Well, I've run out of alcohol," I said.

"Babe?" Esther said, laughing. "That's a joke, right?"

What the fuck?I looked straight at her, wondering if my drunk ears misunderstood her tone or her implied meaning.

"What's your problem?" Cade asked. His voice was belligerent.

Nope, I hadn't misinterpreted. He was pissed.

"You can't be dating her. She looks like a fucking Christmas globe, round and red."

---