CHAPTER3
BILLIE
“DoI even need to ask if you want whipped cream and sprinkles on that, Billie?” Zuri asks.
“Load it up! But nothing too Christmasy, remember. I’ll pass on the reindeer cookie.” I roll my eyes.
“Girl, you were the inspiration for my best-selling Goth Latte at Halloween. I’ll always remember that you’re not at your best this time of year. You’re like…sexy Scrooge.” She laughs at her own joke.
I’m standing in Gingerbread, Snowflake Falls’ best coffee place, admiring Zuri’s barista skills as she deftly adds multicolored sprinkles to my vanilla half-caff latte. There’s some kind of indecipherable, Lo-Fi version of “Jingle Bells” playing in the background. If I shut my eyes tightly to block out the rows of twinkle lights above the counter, I could almost pretend it wasn’t the holiday season.
“How’s the dating going?” Zuri hands me the cup.
The morning rush is over and most people are at work, looking after kids, or doing their Christmas shopping. It’s warm and cozy inside, the snow falling gently on the square outside. It smells like gingerbread and cinnamon in here, mixed with one of my all-time favorite smells. Coffee. Someone’s reading a newspaper in the corner, half-hidden by a Christmas tree, but apart from that, we’re alone.
“It’s not. I’ve sworn off men. All men. Had enough. It’ll be good for me.” I sigh and take a slurp of my coffee.
“Taking some time out?” She starts cleaning the huge Italian coffee machine.
“Yeah. I’m not upset, particularly. I’m just tired of players, I guess.” I yawn.
Last night I didn’t get home until midnight. The leader of the office party insisted on starting the escape room again, because someone had leant on the alarm button. And it took them the full ninety minutes to get out of there, helped along by Raff telling Darius to give them some very obvious hints over the microphone.
“I mean, after what happened last Christmas, I don’t blame you. And dating apps are like wading through tonnes of frogs to get to a prince.” She rolls her eyes.
“I’d be happy with a tadpole at this stage, Zuri. I really don’t think there are any princes left. Maybe in romance novels?”
“Could it be those dating apps? Y’know, they’re the problem, attracting the wrong kind of guys. How about meeting someone in real life?” She cleans the milk frother and then polishes the shiny metal on the top of the machine.
“Well… my new boss is gorgeous.” My voice sounds a little gooey.
Zuri’s eyes brighten. “There you go, a workplace romance! Is this the new manager? Darius was singing his praises when he came in earlier.”
I nod. “Yeah, he looks like Henry Cavill. I wouldn’t have guessed he was Wyatt’s younger brother.”
“Oh, Wyatt was quite the stud in his day, apparently. I can’t remember who told me that, but I think he used to do modeling or something.” Zuri sounds amused.
“You’re kidding? Wow. Well, his brother is just my type. Anyone’s type, really. And he seems pretty down-to-earth. Not a player-type, like—”
“Like he who should not be named.”
“Yes. Him. Ruiner of Christmas Pasts. King Asshole of all assholes. But I think even nice guys have the potential to be players. Given the opportunity.” I shake my head.
“Oh, Billie. He really did a number on you. There are good guys around. You can learn to trust again. I did.” She reaches out and pats my arm sympathetically.
The newspaper in the corner rustles as its owner stands up. He’s tall, dark and…
Oh, shit. It’s Raff.
I hiss at Zuri. “That’s my boss.”
“Oh no… I thought he was cute when he came in. I didn’t make the connection!” She giggles.
He comes over to the counter, his eyes twinkling. “So, you think I’m gorgeous?”
My cheeks must be flaming red. “Um…you heard everything?”
Raff smirks. “I did. Don’t worry, it won’t go on your employee record. Does Wyatt even keep employee records?”
