The Christmas Wager, page 20
“No, she won’t, which is awful because Clarence will. I’m positive he wouldn’t have signed anything if he knew we were planning on tearing the place down and replacing it with those gross condos.” I let out a sigh, rubbed my forehead where a permanent crease seemed to take hold whenever I thought about the new drawings.
“I can’t tell you what to do, but don’t lose sight of what you want,” Luisa said. “Okay, listen. Let’s take a minute to look at some of the other stuff Valerie wants done—it might help to take your mind off other things, including Jesse.”
After a while of going over some project details and revamping marketing materials for an exclusive home in L.A.’s Bird Streets, we hung up. Unfortunately, my mind hadn’t been taken off anything. In fact, one very long coffee break later and Luisa’s words still reverberated around my head.
Don’t lose sight of what you want.
If only I knew what that was. In this wager, one side had to lose, and it couldn’t be me. I wasn’t about to turn my back on Dillon & Prescott. Climbing the corporate ladder, leading the Denver team, and one day participating in the company stock option plan were what I’d worked so hard to achieve and I couldn’t bow out now. On the other hand, I liked Jesse a lot, and the people of Maple Falls, too, making the entire situation feel so much more impossibly complicated.
An hour later, Jesse came back with a brown paper bag in his hands. “Truce?” he said. “I’ve got the Muffin Man’s best chicken sandwiches. You hungry?”
“Yes,” I said, smiling as my gaze swept over his entire body. “Famished.”
He walked over, put his arms around me, pulling me in for a deep kiss, his mouth impatient, laden with desire. I sighed when his lips found my neck, and his hands moved over my hips. No man had ever made me feel this way this fast.
“I shouldn’t have left like that this morning,” he murmured. “I ran some errands for work but couldn’t stop thinking about us and had to come back. I thought you might be gone by the time I came home.”
“You can’t get rid of me that easily,” I said, sliding my arms around his neck.
“Good.” As he kissed me again softly, he added, “I’d much rather you stay here.”
“We need rules of engagement,” I said, still desperate to protect my heart.
Jesse chuckled. “Well, well, well, Ms. Ross. You move fast.”
“Not that kind of engagement.”
Trying to maintain focus but already dissolving beneath his touch, I slid my mouth across his skin, trailed his neck. He wanted more, and so did I, so urgently I doubted we’d make it upstairs again, but we needed to set two things straight.
“I’m only here until Christmas Eve, then I have to go,” I said. “Everything that happens with the two of us in the meantime can’t change anything about our wager.”
“Agreed.” He looked straight at me as he slowly undid the buttons of my shirt one by one before sliding it over my shoulders and letting it drop to the floor.
My fingers fumbled with his jeans as his hands reached behind my back. “I’ll beat you,” I said. “I’m going to win.”
“I understand you’ll try.”
As my bra came off and landed in the heap with the rest of our clothes, Jesse’s hands and mouth wandered. I wanted him like I’d never wanted anyone before. Head back, eyes closed, I said, “This is only for three days. A pre-Christmas romance.”
He kissed me, whispered, “You had me at Christmas.”
Chapter 24
Bella
As we lay in Jesse’s bed half an hour later, the sandwiches still in the bag on the kitchen island, I tried to convince myself midday sex was all part of my strategy to get any feelings and desire for Jesse out of my system. It didn’t seem to be working, and it didn’t change the fact I also wanted to get to know him more. I rolled onto my side and propped my head up with one hand as I traced my fingers the length of the soft trail of hair in the middle of his defined chest.
“Sorry again about earlier,” he said.
“It’s fine. Exes can be tricky.”
“Speaking from experience?”
“You could say that. The last guy I went out with, Miles, was a work colleague.”
“Uh-oh.”
“Yeah. Things didn’t end well, and we’re still both with Dillon & Prescott. Dating someone from the office is a mistake I’ll never make again.” I gave him a bit more detail about how Miles and I had gone for the same promotion, and his devious efforts to interfere with my success.
“I’ve never met him, and I already hate the guy,” Jesse said.
I let out a chuckle. “Well, if I win the wager—”
“If? Not so sure anymore?”
“Very funny. Okay, when I win the wager, I’ll get a promotion and a new role.” I looked at him to gauge his reaction. “In Denver.”
He turned his head, wide eyes meeting mine. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, it’s part of the deal with my boss. I win, I get transferred.”
“Why didn’t you mention this before?” he asked, resting his head again but not before I caught the smile on his lips.
“Didn’t seem relevant, and, well”—I laughed—“we’ve been busy.”
“I love being busy with you.”
“Ditto.”
“Well, Ms. Ross, you have my permission to rush me off my feet any time you please.”
“Duly noted.” I paused before saying, “I heard you lived there awhile, in Denver? You left Maple Falls and came back. Was it for Caroline?”
Jesse shook his head. “No, we weren’t together then. I originally left for work. Elijah and I had big plans. World domination and all that. Of all things electrical for me, anyway. He’s still there.”
“But you came back for Clarence when your grandmother passed.”
“Yes.” He was about to continue when he seemed to catch himself. “Actually, I’ve fed that same old line to everyone for so long, I practically believe it myself.”
“It’s not true?”
“Only partially.” He frowned. “Truth is, I messed up.”
“How do you mean?”
“Turns out running my own business isn’t my strong suit. Some might say it was my most spectacular failure ever.”
“What happened? The Peppermint Twists can’t sing your praises loud enough, saying you’re the best electrician around. Was there too much competition? Not enough business?”
“The quantity of work wasn’t the problem. Before I left Maple Falls, I’d lined up a few general contractors for projects. One of them had a massive new residential build, a bona fide McMansion, and he said if I did the electrical to his satisfaction, there’d be many more.”
“Sounds promising.”
“It was, so I busted my ass to ensure the project went smoothly and I was done ahead of schedule. When he asked me to take on another, bigger project, I bought the materials I needed up front before he paid me the advance I should’ve insisted on.”
“I don’t think I like where this is heading . . .”
“Such a rookie mistake. A week after I’d started the job, he went bankrupt, dragging me down for the ride. I couldn’t afford to pay for the materials I’d got on credit—many of them were bespoke and the suppliers wouldn’t take them back, so I hit a cash flow wall. Then the bank refused to extend my business loan, meaning I couldn’t deliver on the other projects I’d committed to. Things snowballed pretty quickly from there.”
“I’m really sorry, Jesse.”
“Out of everything, what hurt the most was the blow I took to my reputation. Online reviewers warned others to keep away. Then Grams died, and Pops being alone gave me the excuse to retreat into the mountains like the failure I am.”
“I doubt anyone thinks you’re a failure, Jesse,” I said, unsure how to ask my next question. “Is the Denver experience the reason why you didn’t take over Always Noelle?”
“Not initially. When my parents were still alive, I figured I’d eventually run the store. Saw myself working in electrical until they didn’t want to or couldn’t handle the place anymore, then I’d step in. After they died . . . I was so young, and it was just too hard. We’d spent so much time together there . . . I couldn’t face it. Then my company failed and now I wouldn’t have the money to give the place a boost anyway. I’m sure you know it isn’t doing well.”
“It could’ve. With a new website and proper marketing—”
“It’s too late for any of that. Plus, the Denver debacle taught me I should stick to what I know, which is being employed.”
“I guess if you wanted to start another company, you’d have a lot more experience now.”
Jesse smiled. “Have you been talking to Elijah? He says the same thing.”
“We can’t both be wrong. If you needed projects, I bet Dillon & Prescott could—”
“Hell no, I couldn’t imagine depending on the company trying to buy Pops’s building for pennies on the dollar.” He frowned and put an arm around me, pulling me closer. “Listen, I propose the first modification to our rules of engagement. We don’t talk business. Agreed?”
I accepted but couldn’t help thinking about how he could start a new company in Denver. I wasn’t kidding about how his reputation preceded him. During the baking challenge, Shanti and Nancy had mentioned how punctual, reliable, and honest he was, how he always worked to code, which meant he didn’t take shortcuts or bend any rules. If he did start out on his own again, perhaps I could help him with the marketing, especially if I was in the city. Would he consider moving there again? Could I help make the decision easier for him? I also wondered if I could give Always Noelle a hand before I helped destroy it and it was gone forever.
“One last question . . .” I stopped, shook my head, but when Jesse gave me an inquisitive look, I asked which platform they’d used to build the store’s website, sitting up straight when he told me the name. “I know it really well. A friend of Luisa’s is a beautician, and we put a site together for her. It’s simple and sleek. She offers products online, too, and business has increased so much she had to hire more staff. I’ll get my phone and show you.”
Jesse put a hand on my arm. “There’s not much point when Pops is selling.”
“What about the inventory? We could—”
“It’ll probably go to another store.”
“A lot of it’s antique. At least let me take a peek.”
“I don’t understand why you’re doing this.” Jesse reached for a pen and paper on his bedside table and scribbled the website log-in details. “Isn’t this what they say about flogging a dead horse?”
“Maybe.”
An idea was forming in my head. I wasn’t ready to share in case it didn’t work, plus it could take a few days to pull it together, but if I did, it would help Clarence and Jesse if he lost the wager, and possibly my career if he beat me. It was what I called a win-win.
“Now, if you’ll kindly let me get up,” I said, removing Jesse’s arm from my waist. “I have a sandwich to eat and errands to run.”
“Excellent,” Jesse said with a sneaky grin. “Maybe I’ll get some rest now you’ve stopped ravaging my body.”
I kissed him deeply. “Oh, there will be plenty more of that later, don’t worry.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
“Please do.”
By the time I left Jesse’s house, the weather had turned. We’d been warned about the storm coming in, and while the skies had remained bright blue all week, including this morning, Jesse had mentioned the Maple Falls forecast could turn on half a dime. He wasn’t kidding. Snowflakes the size of my thumb fell from the gray skies like tufts of cotton candy swirling in the air, settling on the layer already an inch thick. I stuck out my tongue and caught a few, wishing Jesse was with me, tempted to go back and pull him outside.
The wind prickled my cheeks, and not long after I regretted leaving my car at the lodge, reminding myself to pick it—and mini-Melty—up later. Maybe Jesse and I would snuggle on the sofa tonight and watch a Christmas movie. My grin broadened. Wow. I was looking forward to watching a Christmas movie. Who would’ve thought? Although I had a feeling we’d soon find something else to keep us entertained.
While it wasn’t a long walk to Always Noelle, by the time I arrived I looked like the abominable snowman. For the umpteenth time this week I sent thankful thoughts to Gladys for helping me pick out clothes at Humptys four days ago, and vowed I’d never confess to Luisa how comfy and warm all the somewhat unfashionable gear was in case she disowned me.
“Clarence?” I called out as I got inside the store, shaking off my jacket. “It’s Bella.”
He appeared in the doorway to the back room, his trademark genuine smile on his face. “Hello, Bella. I didn’t expect to see you until the game. I figured you’d spend the day with Jesse.”
I willed myself not to blush. “He’s got work.”
“Oh, yes, of course. I guess he had a bit of a later start this morning.”
Suddenly feeling the need to clarify things, I said, “About last night—”
He held up a hand. “Say no more. My only concern is that you’re both happy.”
Were we? Jesse seemed to be, and so was I. No, I didn’t like the fact it had to be a fling, but it made the most sense. A pre-holiday romance was the only option other than doing nothing, and it was too late for that. I could handle three nights of passion before we went our separate ways, especially if I didn’t think about the latter. Perhaps they wouldn’t be separate once I moved to Denver, considering it wasn’t far from Maple Falls. If a relationship between Jesse and me evolved, maybe I really could convince him to move to the city, give his own business another shot, and . . .
I was getting way ahead of myself. He had his grandfather to take care of, and I respected him so much for his loyalty. I decided Luisa was right. I needed to enjoy what we had while we had it. Make good use of the spontaneity my mother had always bemoaned. Thinking of her reminded me of the missed calls. I had to handle those, too, and my feeling that way was also thanks to talking things through with Jesse.
I smiled, my heart warming some more. “We’re fine. I promise.”
“That’s what’s most important,” Clarence said. “Now, tell me what brings you here. How can I help?”
“Actually, it might be the other way around.”
“Oh? I’m intrigued.”
“I have a couple of ideas that could help clear part of your inventory. Jesse mentioned you might try and sell it to another store.”
“It’s the most logical strategy we’d thought of.”
“Maybe we can work out something else. Would you mind if I took some pictures?”
“Whatever you need,” he said, sweeping an arm through the air. “I’ll stay in the back while you work if you don’t mind. I’ve got a nasty headache.”
“Do you want to rest upstairs?” I said. “I’ll cover for you.”
“Thank you, dear. I really could do with a proper snooze.” Clarence suddenly looked tired. “Call if you need me. The number’s next to the phone in the back.”
Once he left, I got to work, rummaging through every box I could lay my hands on. I found dozens and dozens of Clarence’s hand-painted baubles, many delicate blown-glass angels and candy canes, ceramic Santas and snowmen, the latter of which had to be almost a hundred years old. Hidden at the back of another shelf was an entire nativity scene dated 1936, and a hand-engraved set of Johnson Brothers plates depicting a crackling fire next to a Christmas tree. It seemed as if I were taking a journey back in time, and each box made me giddy as I opened it, like the proverbial kid at Christmas. I’d never thought I’d experience this joyous feeling again but now that I had, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to let it go.
I took photo after photo, staging the items on vintage silk tree skirts I found in another large plastic tub, adding twinkling fairy lights and fake apples, pine cones, and sprigs of holly for ambience. By the time I glanced at the time again, almost two hours had flown by. I’d barely made a dent in the store’s inventory.
As I glanced out the window, humming “Let It Snow,” bigger flakes twirled to the ground, thicker and heavier than before. At least another inch had settled and judging from the swift peek I took at my weather app, there was a lot more to come. I wasn’t ready to tell Jesse about the details of my project ideas, but we had another couple of hours to go before we were due at Town Square for the next game. I wanted to see him as much as I could, so I sent a text.
Meet me at the store? Clarence is resting upstairs.
Are you naked and wrapped in garland?
Come and find out . . .
Grinning, I slid my phone into my pocket and went to the bathroom. As I washed my hands, the brass bells above the store’s front door chimed. Jesse must’ve already been on his way. I felt excited about the pictures I’d taken, wondered if I should tell him my ideas but decided against it in case he tried to dissuade me before I was ready.
I was walking to the front room when my cell rang. It was Luisa, probably calling for more gossip. I answered the buzzing phone in my hand. “Hey, I can’t talk—”
“You’re in trouble,” she said, her tone urgent.
Hoping this was my best friend overreacting to something minor, I said, “With whom?”
“Valerie.”
“What do you mean? She hasn’t said—”
“I had to drop off a report upstairs, but Blaise wasn’t there. When I wrote a note at his desk, I saw a printout of a flight itinerary to Denver. Bella, Valerie sent—”
“Miles,” I said, my voice flat, stomach lurching as I saw my ex standing in the doorway.
Chapter 25
