"You should take the bull by the horns. Do something outrageous and get him thinking about you day and night. What do you think? Any ideas?"
"I think I've been telling you too much about my romance books."
"It's just an idea. Think about it. I'm all done here, thank you so much. Crisis averted."
I place the phone on the table next to me and do one of those 'what would X do' scenarios in my head. If I were a braver woman, what would I do about getting Jacob Barnes to notice me? An idea brews in my head, and my heart beats faster.
Picking up the phone again, I start shopping. My plan is simple but bold, and I am pretty sure it will make Jacob Barnes fall on his ass. That's the exact same position I want him in when I seduce the pants off him.
I count the days until Christmas.
I'm going to be the best Christmas present he's ever unwrapped.
Chapter 2
Jacob
I'm having a cup of coffee at Perfect Brews. Everybody here knows me because I'm a frequent customer. If I were here more often, I'd probably have to get a job with them. But there's a reason for my patronage here. I want to run into the beautiful morsel that is Marci Sweeney.
She's friends with the owner, Carly, and I love to watch Marci smile as they talk together. Every smile makes my pulse hammer faster. Here's the thing. She's so damn young and innocent. Here's the other thing. Every time she tries to talk to me, she ends up babbling and blushing.
I love it when I see her get flustered like that, but I don't see us making any progress in having a friendship of any sort.Friendship is all I can offer her. I should really stay the hell away from her. The bell on the door rings, and I look up only to see my friends Hunter and Elena coming in.
I wave them over, and they join me at the booth I've been sitting at for the past two hours.
"Hey guys, how are you?"
"You know, Jacob. You've been coming here an awful lot lately. Do you have a crush on Carly?" Elena teases.
I laugh at the notion. Carly is a good friend and is happily married. Elena gives me a bright smile and winks at me.
"Or is it that young colleague of mine?” she says. “Short, blonde, and too voluptuous for her own good?"
My face becomes flushed, and I look around to see if anyone has heard her comment.
"The keyword being young. It wouldn't work, Elena."
"But…"
"My life is a mess. You both know that. I'm still putting things back together, and that's no life for someone so young and innocent."
Marci is very mature for her age, which is why I helped her get her transcriptionist certificate so she could work from home."
“Can we talk about something else?"
"I think she likes you back."
My heartbeat drums then continues as I take in her words. Could that curvy little morsel like me back? Should I do something about it?
Hunter decides to take pity on me and changes the subject.
"Let's talk about the Christmas Day Parade. Do you want to volunteer this year, Jacob?"
"Yeah, I need to talk to Captain Miller. He asked to borrow one of my bikes for the parade. But I can be of some use as well, coordinating things and whatnot."
"That's good to hear," Carly says as she places Elena and Hunter's order in front of them.
I look up at her and watch her squint her eyes at me.
