“Good call,” he said, putting his credit card in the reader. “Do you memorize every customer’s order or am I special?” He couldn’t help but flirt with her.
She tilted her head to the side and there was a flash of something deeper in her eyes, something more than just customer service politeness. It sent a jolt of awareness through him, and he noticed the little wisps of blonde hair falling around her face.
Her beautiful face.
Long, dark eyelashes framed blue eyes that lit up when she smiled. Her high cheekbones and full lips gave her the kind of classic good looks that one saw on the cover of magazines and huge billboards in Times Square. He’d noticed she was attractive before, but New York was full of beautiful women, and he didn’t have time to pursue anyone right now. Which was why he stuckto casual relationships with women in his social circle, women who understood his work came first and sex didn’t equal a relationship.
But there was something about the way that she’d looked at him just now that made him take notice in a way he hadn’t before. And it occurred to him; he’d never asked her name. She knew his, of course, because she used to ask for it in order to call out when his drink was ready. It seemed wrong suddenly, that this woman filled with sunshine and easy smiles knew his name, but he didn’t know hers.
He opened his mouth to find out, but the bell above the door chimed behind him, and her eyes shifted away from him to look over his shoulder and give the new customer her bright grin.
Leo stepped to the side just as the other barista set his drink on the counter. Once seated at a table near the big window at the front of the shop, he once again contemplated his options. He’d already called the women he considered his casual sex buddies. Since none of them were available, who did that leave?
There was his best friend, Charlie. She knew him well enough that it would be easy to convince Mr. McClain that they were a serious couple, and she was a beautiful woman, someone who would fit the role of his girlfriend easily.
But Charlie was married with a newborn baby and twin girls from her previous relationship. Her custody arrangement with her ex gave her the girls on Christmas Eve so they could be with their father on Christmas Day. No way Charlie would give up even a second of time with her daughters on Christmas. Especially not to attend a stuffy office Christmas party because he was in a jam. And Leo didn’t blame her.
The only other female in his life was his sister, Jenny and he cringed at the thought of asking his sibling to pretend to be his girlfriend. He’d do a lot to secure this client, but that was one line he wouldn’t cross. It was too gross to even consider.
Sipping his latte, he wondered if he should just forget the whole thing. Maybe he’d be able to win the client over with small talk and his record as one of the most successful financial analysts in the company’s history. It really shouldn’t matter if he was a family man or not.
The barista’s voice interrupted his thoughts and he turned to see her talking to a customer, her head thrown back as she laughed. The tinkling sound and the beauty in her expression as she smiled hit him square in the chest, and an idea struck.
Shecould be his date to the party.
He’d been focused on finding a woman he already knew, thinking that the familiarity between them would help sell the notion of a serious relationship. But maybe sharing chemistry with someone would be enough.
Glancing over his shoulder, he watched as this time, she laughed at something her coworker said. He watched her chest as it expanded with a deep breath. Full breasts pushed out the high cut apron she wore for work.
Oh, yeah. This can work.
He wouldn’t have to pretend to be interested in her and she’d look good on his arm.
He rose from of his seat and made his way to the counter with his drink in hand, aware this was most likely his last shot at securing a fake girlfriend for the party. Plastering his most charming smile on his face, he silently asked the universe for a Christmas miracle for a man who barely acknowledged the holiday.
Chapter Two
Froth and Grindalways had an early afternoon rush. It was the time of day when people, especially office workers, needed a caffeine boost to get through the second half of their day. Camille Hendricks saw a lot of familiar faces in the coffee shop for their lattes, mochas and espresso shots and did her best to remember them all. But there was only one man she always looked forward to seeing.
Leo.
She didn’t know anything about him other than his first name and that he paid for his drink with a Black Card, which put him firmly in another stratosphere. His suits looked tailor-made, showing off his muscular body and he was hot.
She’d known that from the moment he first came into the coffee shop a couple of months ago. Those brown eyes locked onto hers, and she nearly forgot her own name.
Their first interaction had been brief, and he hadn’t looked at her twice. Over time, she’d managed to get in a little flirting when he ordered his drinks, but they’d never had a conversation about anything other than his order. Until today, when he’d asked about her Santa hat.
“You know, I’ve always wondered what it looked like when a person hadstars in their eyes,” her coworker, Mona, said with a snicker. “Now, I know. You’re staring at Mr. Peppermint Mocha like he hung the moon.”
Cammie pulled her eyes away from Leo, her cheeks warm from being caught ogling a customer.
Ignoring Mona’s knowing smirk, Cammie tried to act innocent. “I wasn’t staring at him. I was just… gazing out the window, and he happens to be sitting right in front of it. Total coincidence.”
Mona chuckled. “I’m not buying what you’re selling. Why don’t you just ask for his number?”
Cammie’s eyes flickered over to Leo again, and she considered her friend’s suggestion. She wasn’t the shy type, but asking out a regular didn’t seem smart.
“I don’t know,” she said. “He’s a steady customer. What if I ask him out and he says no? Then, I’d have to see him all the time, and it would besoawkward. For us both.”
