Chapter One
Snowflakes fell onLeo Watson’s wool coat as he stepped out of his car, his cell phone pressed to his ear. “Come on, Ruby. You’ll have a good time. You know I always deliver on that promise,” he said in his most seductive voice.
He usually made those kind of promises to a woman after he called them for an occasional hookup, but he was talking to Ruby for an entirely different reason this time.
“It’s not about whether I’ll have fun at your company Christmas party, Leo. It’s Christmas Eve and I’ll be having dinner with my father that night.”
He groaned as he ran a hand through his hair, his warm breath a visible cloud in the cold December air. Ruby was the third woman to turn him down for similar reasons. Apparently, all the women he casually slept with were spending the holiday with their families. Of course, his family got together too, but if a work obligation came up, they understood.
He usually had no idea how the women that warmed his bed would spend their Christmases. He rarely got to know them beyond surface-level flirtation and whispered words in the heat of the moment. He knew nothing about their lives outside of the bedroom. That might sound cold, but it worked for him. Until today, when they were all unavailable to attend his company’s party on Christmas Eve.
“I really need a date for this party. I’m so close to getting a promotion, and I know that if I can secure this last big client, it’ll be mine.”
She paused. “And what does a promotion have to do with bringing a date to a Christmas party?”
Since she didn’t understand, he decided to explain. “There’s an important potential client named Spencer McClain. He’ll be at the party, and he’s abigfan of family values. He’s made it clear he likes to work with people who feel the same way. I can’t show up to the party alone, like some carefree bachelor or he won’t take me seriously.”
“But isn’t that what you are?” Ruby asked with amusement in her voice.
He rolled his eyes. “That’s beside the point. I need a woman on my arm that I can pretend to be in love with.”
She laughed. “Sounds like you need a fake wife.”
Leo cringed at her comment. “A fake girlfriend will do, as long as I can sell the story that we’re in a serious relationship.”
“It sounds like fun, but I’m afraid I can’t help you. If it was any other night, I’d come, but like I said, I have plans.”
He glanced up at the overcast sky. “Is there anything I can do to talk you out of it?” he asked.
On the other end of the line, Ruby laughed. “Talk me out of attending my family’s Christmas Eve dinner? No, I’m afraid not. But if you want to get together sometime between Christmas and the New Year, I’d be happy to meet up for some holiday fun.” Her voice dropped an octave.
Leo made a noncommittal sound in the back of his throat, said he’d get back to her and ended the call. He was too focused on his current predicament to even think about a post-Christmas hookup.
Frustrated, he walked toward the door of Froth and Grind, the independent coffee shop he visited a couple of times a week. He was already looking forward to enjoying one of their seasonal specialties, the peppermint mocha latte. Maybe the tingle of peppermint would do something for the mood he was in.
He pulled open the door and was greeted by the sight of red and green Christmas decorations. Tinsel draped along the front of the counter and star shaped lights hung from the ceiling along with the Edison bulbs that usually illuminated the small shop. A thin Christmas tree stood in front of one of the exposed brick walls, complete with fake presents underneath.
Froth and Grind had been transformed for the holiday season, along with most of Manhattan. Something Leo could not relate to. With the hours he worked and his focus on a promotion, he had no time for Christmas frivolity or cheer.
The rich scent of roasted coffee beans filled the air, along with the sweeter aromas of vanilla, caramel, and of course, peppermint. It was mid-afternoon, and half the tables were full of customers sipping coffee and eating pastries. Luckily, there was no line at the counter.
The usual barista stood behind the register, her bright smile lighting up her blue eyes. He looked forward to seeing her whenever he came in. She wore a black polo shirt with the coffee shop’s logo on the left breast, and a Santa hat covered her long, blonde hair.
Leo nodded at her seasonal attire. “Are they making you wear the hat or is it your choice?” he asked.
She laughed, the sound light and airy.
Leo had been coming to this coffee shop regularly for a few months, and this woman had been behind the counter from the start. He’d never asked her name, but he always appreciated the sunshine she exuded.
“I admit that it was my idea,” she said, flicking the fluffy white ball hanging off the end. “A little festive cheer never hurt anyone, right?”
He grunted, thinking about his struggle to find a date to the company Christmas party that was one week away. He’d already gone through his list of potential dates and come up empty. Hewasn’t the type to leave anything to the last minute, but his boss just told him this morning that Mr. McClain would be at the party and he’d insinuated a woman on his arm would be a good look. Leo couldn’t let this chance to impress the man pass him by.
Still, all the rejection had sucked what little holiday spirit he had right out of him.
“So, I took a chance when I saw you walk in,” the barista said. “I put in an order for a peppermint mocha for you.” She gestured to the other woman behind the espresso machine who was making drinks.
He treated her to an appreciative smile. There was something comforting about being a regular in a coffee shop when the staff knew him well enough to anticipate his order. Specifically,thisbarista. She was here most of the time when he came in, and she’d begun remembering his order right away. She was also the one who recommended the peppermint mocha, which she said was her favorite.
