LITMIR.BIZ

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“What did you think of Santa back there mistaking us for a happy couple?”

      “That he needs a new pair of glasses.”

      “Surely being my girlfriend wouldn’t be so bad, would it?”

      Once stopped at a red light, Reese gave him a long look.

      He started to feel a bit paranoid, as though he had a piece of lettuce in his teeth or something. “What?”

      “I’m just looking for some sign that you hit your head when you were swinging that tree around.”

      “Very funny.” When she smiled, a funny sensation filled his chest. “You still haven’t answered my question. Would I make good boyfriend material?”

      She jerked her gaze forward just as the light changed. “You can’t be serious. We—we don’t even know each other. And I’m not looking for a relationship. Not with you. Not with anybody.”

      “Understood.” He was at last breaking through her calm reserve. He couldn’t push her too hard too fast. “I was just hoping your rejection of the idea of us being a couple wasn’t a personal one. After all, I showered and shaved today. My clothes are clean,” he teased. “And I carried that great big tree for you.”

      “That’s the best you can come up with?” She smiled and his breathing did that funny little tickle thing at the back of his throat again.

      “Pretty much. So if circumstances were different, would I stand a chance with you?”

      “I’ll give you this much, you are persistent.”

      “Or maybe I’m a glutton for punishment.” He sent her a pleading look.

      “And I’m sure those puppy eyes work on all of the ladies, don’t they?”

      He sat up a little straighter. “Is it working now?”

      The chime of laughter filled the truck. “If you aren’t a salesman, you certainly missed your calling.”

      Did that mean he’d sold her on the idea that he was worthy of a second or third look? He didn’t know why her answer had suddenly become so important to him. It wasn’t as though this part of his plan had to be implemented—yet.

      Still, he found himself enjoying the smile on her face. It lit up the night. She should definitely do it more often.

      Reese tramped the brakes a bit hard for a red light, jerking him against the seat belt. “I’m sure you’ll make some lucky lady the perfect boyfriend.”

      It was his turn to smile. “Thanks for the ringing endorsement. What would it take to tempt you to play the part?”

      “Of what? Your girlfriend?”

      In for a penny, in for a pound. “Yes.”

      She laughed. “Fine. If you must know, if by chance I was looking—which I’m not, but if I were—you might have a chance. But I seriously don’t have the time...if I was interested.”

      “Ouch.”

      “Is it your hands?”

      “No. It was my ego. It just took a direct hit.”

      She shook her head and smiled. “I’m sure you’ll survive.”

      He leaned back in the seat as she skillfully guided them homeward. With Reese behind the wheel, Alex relaxed enough to let his thoughts wander.

      How was it that someone so beautiful and entertaining could be single? Surely she wouldn’t be alone for long. The image of Reese in someone else’s arms took shape in his mind and with a mental jerk, he dismissed the unsettling idea. Her future relationships were none of his business. Period.

CHAPTER FIVE

      PEACE AND QUIET at last.

      Reese smiled to herself. The wedding party was off for the rehearsal and dinner. They wouldn’t be home until late. She’d even let the staff go early. After all, it was the holiday season and there was nothing here that she couldn’t manage on her own. And her mother was upstairs watching her favorite crime drama.

      “Reese?” Alex’s deep voice echoed down the hallway.

      “In here.” She was kneeling on the floor, sorting strands of twinkle lights.

      He stepped into the room. “What are you doing?”

      “Trying to get these lights to work. I need to replace the lightbulbs—one by one. Someday I’ll have to buy new strings, but not this year.” They would light up—even if she had to sit here all night exchanging the little bulbs. “What do you need?”

      “I finished with my work and wondered if I could lend you a hand.”

      “You spend a lot of time on your computer, don’t you?”

      “It’s a portable office. It allows me to work from anywhere.”

      She pulled out another bulb and replaced it with one she was certain worked. Still the strand remained dark. “So this isn’t a holiday for you?”

      “I would rather keep busy. I am not good at sitting around doing nothing.” He knelt down beside her. “Let me have a try.”

      She glanced at him, surprised anyone would voluntarily offer to fix Christmas lights. Before he had a chance to change his mind, she held out the strand to him. “Good luck.”

      He moved closer. His warm fingers brushed over hers. His touch lingered, sending an electrical current up her arm. The reaction frazzled her common sense. She stared into his eyes as her heart pounded in her ears. He was the first to turn away. A sense of disappointment plagued her.

      Regaining her senses, she jumped to her feet. She took a step back, hoping to keep her wits about her. She’d been avoiding him since that awkward moment with Santa—er, that man at the tree lot. Why the man had assumed they were a couple was beyond her. It wasn’t as if she looked at Alex with dreamy eyes. Okay, so maybe she just had. But it was just for a moment. And it wasn’t as if she was truly interested in him.

      But then Alex had continued the conversation in the truck. What was that all about? She still wasn’t certain if he had just been joking around or if he’d been hitting on her. At least she’d set him straight—a relationship wasn’t in her plans. She refused to be lied to by another man.

      Alex pushed a small lightbulb into the socket. Nothing lit up. “I don’t smell any food cooking. That’s a first. This place always has the most delicious aromas.”

      In that moment, she realized in her exuberance to let everyone have the evening off that she hadn’t thought about dinner. And she didn’t have a good history with the stove. Anything she put near it burned—to a crisp.

      “I’m afraid that I let the staff have the evening off. With the wedding party gone for the evening and the holidays approaching, I thought they would enjoy some time off. So I’m not sure what to do for dinner, as I’m an utter disaster in the kitchen.”

      “It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. In fact, simple sounds good.”

      Against her better judgment, she was starting to like this guy. “How simple were you thinking? I can work the microwave, but that’s about it.”

      His brow arched as amusement danced in his eyes.

      “Hey, don’t look at me like that. A person can’t be good at everything. So how about a frozen dinner?”

      His tanned nose curled up. “Or we could order a pizza?” He loosened a bulb from the strand. “They do deliver here, don’t they?”

      She nodded. “I’ll check to see if my mother will join us. I’ll be right back with the menus.”

      She rushed out of the room

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