Page 18 of The Mistletoe Switch

I lean toward him, having the oddest desire to be wrapped up in his arms, to feel his lips against mine.

I jerk away and grab the closest thing. It's an ugly Christmas sweater with dancing elves and actual jingle bells. "What do you think about this? Will this help me fit in?"

He hesitates just a moment, the debate clear in his expression. Then he huffs out a sigh and rolls his eyes. "You really do need my help."

CHAPTER EIGHT

Xavier

"What do you think?" Cherry steps out of the dressing room in khaki slacks that are two sizes too big and a too-small neon green t-shirt proclaiming her a member of the Henderson Family Reunion.

No matter what she's wearing, I can't take my eyes off her, but it's like the outfit has taken some of the spark from her eyes and made her sad.

"Nope." I'm not going to let her waste her money on this atrocity. "There's nothing redeemable about this outfit."

She pouts. "That's what you've said about the last nine outfits. I have to make something work."

I pick up the heavy coat on the bench next to me. "I found you this. It should be long enough on you to keep your legs warm even when you're wearing one of those tiny dresses you like. I don't need you freezing to death in a snow bank while I'm mayor."

She stomps one bare foot, each toe painted in alternating shades of red and green with Christmas trees on her big toes. She was made for this town. "The whole point is I won't be wearing those tiny dresses anymore. I want to be professional. I need a job, Xavier."

I hold up the coat with a hand on each shoulder to better display it. It's an off-white shade, with fake fur around the hood. It's exactly the sort of thing she'd wear and it's well-made and functional.

She stomps her foot again, but her eyes light. "Damn it. That's really cute. How much is it?"

"I'll buy it for you if you stop trying on stupid outfits, admit you aren't going to sue the town, and let me leave."

She chews on her thumb, brow creased. I haven't liked James since day one, but I actively hate him for twisting Cherry up like this. I have no idea what she sees in the guy, but it's not my business.

And, I enjoy watching Cherry try on terrible outfits way more than what I was supposed to be doing today: paperwork that's only going to depress me when I see how low my sales have sunk for the year.

"There has to be something here that will work." Cherry looks around the packed store.

I huff a sigh and stand.

"What are you doing?"

"Looking for another outfit for you to try." I head for the nearest rack of blouses. "Isn't that what you want?"

"Yes. Just don't put that coat back. I want it."

I lay the coat on the bench and hide my smile.

This time, I head to the racks holding jeans, since Cherry's tried pretty much everything anywhere near her size in the business casual section.

"Hey, Xavier." Bailey Whittaker hangs a pair of jeans on the rack near where I'm standing. She was a few years behind me in high school and is tall and curvy, with curly red hair and skin as pale as porcelain.

"Hey, Bailey. How's your uncle doing?"

Bailey's uncle Ray, who pretty much raised her, took a fall off his roof last spring. Rumor is he hasn't been quite right since.

Bailey shrugs. "He's the same." She studies me, her lips twitching. "He reminds me of you, actually, always grumpy about something and only happy when the rest of us are miserable."

I sigh. "How many times do I have to apologize? I didn't realize he was your date."

She snorts. "That doesn't make it better. Tackling a stranger into a snowbank is never a good idea."

"He looked like one of the high school kids who'd been throwing snowballs at my storefront." I shake my head, still annoyed about those damn kids. "I had every right to kick them out of my shop for shoplifting candy. They didn't have to retaliate."

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