Page 30 of The Mistletoe Switch

I bounce on the bed, careful not to slosh my hot chocolate. "We should fake date."

He gapes at me, then throws his head back and laughs.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Xavier

I'm still laughing when I notice Cherry glowering at me, her arms crossed under her chest, pushing her breasts up in a way that's nearly impossible for me to look away from.

I manage, because I'm a gentleman and because, though Cherry is half my size, her shoe collection, with a numerous array of spiked heels, is within reach against the wall next to her bed.

"Why are you mad at me?"

She rolls her lips and closes her eyes like she's searching for patience. Under her breath, she counts slowly to ten, then she lets out a sigh and opens her eyes. "I thought you were different. I thought you might take me seriously enough to hear me out before you decide I'm just a ditz with a stupid idea." She stands and walks to the door. "I'll be in touch about your marketing plan, but I'm no longer interested in partnering up to end RJ and Alice's relationship."

I hate the chilliness in her tone, but more than that, I hate the sadness in her eyes. I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm smart enough to know I hurt her. "I'm sorry. You're not stupid." I pause. "What did I do to make you think I think you're stupid?"

She meets my gaze head on, steel in hers. "I'm sure you're going to tell me you laugh at everyone's great ideas the first time you hear them in an attempt to make me feel better, but I'm not an idiot, Xavier. I don't need your mollycoddling. And I refuse to work with someone who can't take me seriously."

Shit, she's really upset. And nothing I say is going to convince her I don't think she's an idiot. I pull out my phone, put it on speaker and call Liam.

"What's up, Xavier?"

"Hey, man. Can you remind me? What was my reaction the last time you suggested I consider adding candy canes to my shop?"

"Uh, weren't you there? You hit your head or something?"

"I've got a friend here I offended and you're on speaker. I need proof I'm an asshole to everyone."

"Ah, yeah, that tracks. Hey, friend of Xavier," he says.

Cherry takes a few steps closer. "Hi, Liam. I've heard a lot about you."

He snorts. "All bad I'm sure. Trust me when I say Xavier is an asshole to everyone. He's a good guy, got a huge heart, he's just grumpy and blunt as—"

"Just tell her what I did when you—" I grumble.

"I'm getting to it." Liam huffs. "What's your name, friend?"

"Cherry Beckstone. You've probably heard about me. I'm the one who dragged your friend Xavier into that mess with Alice and—"

"Ah, yes. Nice to meet you, Cherry. We should meet in person so I can thank you for providing me with fodder to fuck with—"

"Just tell her what I said." I want to hang up on him, but Cherry needs to hear this.

"I'm getting to it. Is it past your bedtime or something? Geez." Liam clears his throat dramatically. "The last time I suggested Xavier have candy canes in his store, he laughed in that way that's more like a sneer than a laugh and basically told me to go fuck myself."

"I told you to go back to work and stay out of my business."

"Which translates to 'go fuck yourself.'"

"Fine. Can you put Murphy on?"

"I will if you give Cherry my number so we can—"

"Just put Murph on or I'll call her myself."

After a pause, Murphy's sweet voice comes over the line, "I want to meet Cherry. Is she there?"

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