A smile exploded across Saint’s face. “No problem. It was good talking to you. You’ll hear the phone start ringing again. Don’t worry, it’s sending you to Clover. Transferring now.” Saint hit the button. He quickly sent texts to Timber and Leon. Then he rushed back out to Clover. Clover held the phone to his ear and smiled as if loving every word from Maya. “Please? I would absolutely love that.”
Saint reclaimed his seat on Clover’s desk. He chuckled as Clover stretched to put both gloved hands in front of the heater while holding the headset between his shoulder and ear. Saint pulled the heater closer and repositioned it to blow directly on Clover.
Clover flashed him a grateful smile that made it a little harder to breathe. He had never met anyone like this kitten.
After a few more minutes of back and forth, Clover hung up the phone. He was still smiling. “She’s so nice. Thank you for helping her. I can’t imagine how scared she must’ve been.”
Saint was uncomfortable with praise. He simply dipped his chin. “Let’s get out of here and go to lunch early. It’s too damn cold to stay here.”
Clover’s smile turned fake. It was his turn to look uncomfortable. “Um. I’ve been out of work for a minute, and I live paycheck to paycheck. I can’t really afford to go to lunch. Unfortunately, I’m counting every penny right now.”
“That was me asking you to lunch. If I invite you, I’m paying.” He stopped himself before adding he would pay, even if Clover did the inviting. That was just who he was.
“If you’re sure.” Clover did not sound like he could trust this offer. Saint should have been asking him that question.
“Yep. Transfer calls to the answering service and let’s go.”
Saint didn’t wait to see if Clover complied. He knew he would. Saint needed to get his coat.
Chapter Two
Strangely,Cloverhadneverbeen to the minuscule diner, just two doors down. He didn’t spend a lot of time on the square. Thankfully, it was warm. He couldn’t recall the last time he had been as miserable as he had been in that freezing office. While he had been raised here and was acclimated to the weather, he much preferred the heat. Not only was he cozy and warm now, but he had also decided Saint was the nicest person he had ever met.
He couldn’t stop looking at all the bright holly, bells, and ornaments that were hanging around the diner. It was so pretty. He knew it was weird for him to love the season since he was completely alone.
“Kitten?”
“Yes?” Clover didn’t know why he immediately answered to the pet name. He shouldn’t encourage Saint. The guy had called him kitten three times during their lunch, pointing out his gloves and hat.Three times. That was all it had taken for that to become his name.
“What are you thinking about? It’s like you disappeared inside your head.”
“Would it be okay if I decorated the office for the holiday?”
Saint shrugged. “Knock yourself out. If you have time once Maya starts wearing out your phone, that is. Maya Heartland is a well-known talker. She’ll make your ears tired.”
Clover’s jaw dropped. “You’re joking. That was Maya Heartland? I love her! I didn’t know she lived here. She my favorite sappy love movies’ actress.”
Saint’s eyes flashed with good humor. “You seriously didn’t know?”
Clover tried his ass off not to keep gushing. “No. When I answered the phone, she was somewhat hysterical, and I couldn’t understand her at first. All I caught was the name Maya. There’s no way I could’ve known it wasthatMaya. Every Christmas, I curl up in an electric blanket with hot cocoa and cookies. I spend the entire day watching her holiday-themed movies. They’re all basically the same, but I love them. They make me all warm inside.” Clover snapped his teeth together. He couldn’t believe he had said that.
Thankfully, Saint didn’t call him on it. “She doesn’t live here. It’s a short-term contract she re-signs every time she’s in town. She’s filming three Christmas movies back-to-back here for release next year. Why are you alone on Christmas?”
It was like getting punched in the chest. He kept thinking it would get easier. It didn’t.
Saint obviously saw something in his expression. “You don’t have to answer that. In fact, I’ll tell you why I’m alone.” He didn’t give Clover time to argue. “I was a runaway. When I was a teen, I left through my bedroom window and never looked back. Unfortunately, that meant I was homeless. One day, this huge motherfucker stepped into my path.” A bright smile lit Saint’s face. “Seriously, he was the biggest man I had ever seen. Just solid muscle. He asked if I was interested in a new life. A job and a fresh start. By that time, I was damn ready to get off the streets. So, without even knowing what I would be doing—even knowing it was likely drugs or sex—I said yes without a single moment’s hesitation.”
Clover heard the faked nonchalance to Saint’s voice. He hated it. “My parents were deported seven years ago. I was born in the United States. I couldn’t go with them, and they couldn’t stay. Now they can’t come, and I can’t afford to go there.” Clover shrugged, feeling uncomfortable. “So that’s me.” Clover set his elbow on the table and propped his chin up on his fist. “Why did you run away?”
“Terrible parents. That sort of thing.”
“They say our past defines us. I’ve only known you a couple of hours, and you seem pretty great, so there’s that,” Clover added with a chuckle. He hated for Saint to think he flirted. Maybe he was. Even Clover didn’t know. Saint just seemed so much like everything Clover had ever wanted for himself.
Saint opened his mouth to say God only knew what. The waitress appeared just in time to cut him off. The buxom blonde stayed completely focused on Saint. “Can I get you anything else?”
Saint looked up from stacking their plates. He focused on Clover. “I’m good. What about you, kitten? Do you want any dessert or anything?”
Clover couldn’t look away from Saint. He couldn’t believe Saint never even looked at the woman who had clearly fixed her blouse to show more cleavage since her last time around. She tried every trick, touching Saint’s shoulder, and trying to take his coffee that he was still drinking. Nothing worked. Finally, Clover flashed her an uncomfortable smile, and she set the bill on the table.
