With a sigh, Hunter turned to Brady. “See? Not so bad. She’s been on her best behavior. Maybe I was wrong.”
“About what?” Brady interrupted.
“You know how she is. Lately she’s been harping on my single status and reminding me of the importance of settling down with the right girl so that we can have children and carry on the Ashton legacy.”
“Legacy?” Brady snickered. “For real?”
Hunter rolled his eyes. “Look…all I’m saying is we’ve been walking around and all she’s talked about is the arts. Not one mention of a suitable woman for me.” He shrugged. “So I guess I was wrong.”
“We’ll see,” Brady said but he didn’t sound convinced. They were standing in the dining room staring out the window. “It’s going to look like a winter wonderland out here if the snow moves in like they’re predicting. Why isn’t she postponing the party? You know how they are with snow in the south – no one’s going to come out.”
“Good question.”
Brady looked at his watch and frowned.
“What’s the matter?”
“Two hours,” he said with disbelief. “How is it possible that we’ve been walking around your damn house for two hours already? It’s like we got sucked into a time vortex or something.”
Hunter laughed. “Not quite, but…time flies when you’re having fun.”
“This is so the opposite of fun. This is where fun comes to die. Even if there is a Christmas tree in every room to try to make it look festive.”
Susan cleared her voice behind them and both men looked at each other with a look that said busted.
She walked over and took the dog from Hunter’s hands and smiled at them both. “The artwork is arriving and I needed to direct the staff on where everything was to be placed.”
Hunter and Brady nodded.
“There’s one more room I wanted to show you,” she said. She strolled through the house that was in a state of controlled chaos – movement was everywhere and yet Susan kept up a running dialogue about everything that was going on – even if no one was particularly listening.
When they approached the sunroom, Hunter noticed a woman standing with her back to them. He looked at Brady who simply shrugged.
“Out here we’re going to be showcasing some local artists whose work is prominently of the Chapel Hill area. What do you think?” she asked as she looked at Hunter.
“Sounds fabulous, Mother. Really. You’ve put a lot of thought into this and I’m sure your guests are going to love it.”
Her smile grew. She reached out and cupped his cheek lovingly – but briefly – before stepping back. “I told you he was a doll, didn’t I?”
Again, Hunter and Brady looked at each other, both seemingly confused.
Beside Susan, the woman turned around. She was young – possibly younger than Hunter – and had a serene smile on her face.
“Hunter, this is Kendall Wynn,” Susan said conversationally. “Her mother is one of my dearest friends and the co-chair of tonight’s event.” With a smile at her son and then another at Kendall, she went on. “I’ve been singing your praises to Kendall for quite some time now and I thought tonight would be the perfect time for introductions.”
Not wanting to be rude, Hunter reached out and shook Kendall’s hand and then introduced Brady. His eyes widened in surprise when he noticed a definite spark there.
Interesting.
Susan must have noticed it too because she frowned heavily. “Kendall spends a lot of time volunteering in Raleigh, Hunter,” she went on, stepping in front of Brady to block his view of Kendall. “And you know that gallery opening you went to last month? Kendall was on the board for that! Small world, right?”
Hunter inwardly groaned. Here it comes, he thought. The hard-sell on why Kendall was the perfect woman for him. Tuning his mother out for a moment, he reached for one of the servers who was setting up the bar. “Excuse me,” he said, “could you please get me bourbon?”
“Of course, sir.”
Hunter looked back at Brady. “You want one?”
“I’ll take one too.”
The server walked away and Hunter couldn’t believe his mother was still talking about Kendall – her family, her interests – at any moment he expected her to show him Kendall’s teeth! Brady must have sensed the direction of Hunter’s thoughts because he was smirking too.
When the server returned, Hunter and Brady toasted and Hunter was mid-sip when his mother asked, “And did you see her smile? Honestly, never have I seen a more perfect set of teeth!”
Immediately Hunter began to choke. Brady stifled his own laugh as he patted Hunter on the back.
“I…I’m sorry,” Hunter coughed. “Please…excuse me…for a…minute!” He dashed from the room and made his way to the kitchen to get away from his mother and get some air.
There were people everywhere. Once in the kitchen, he wove around until he got to the refrigerator and grabbed himself a bottle of water. Taking a moment, he took a long drink before turning around.
And that’s when he saw her.
Lexi Hayes.
“Holy shit,” he whispered, but not as softly as he thought because suddenly people stopped and stared – including Lexi.
In a few long strides he was standing in front of her. “Lexi? Oh, my God!” he exclaimed, smiling at this surprise. “What are you doing here?”
****
Lexi looked around the room – at the people staring at her – before looking at Hunter. “What does it look like?” she responded in a hushed tone. “I’m working.”
She couldn’t even pretend not to remember him; what would be the point? And damn, time had been good to him. Hunter’s smile was still capable of making her feel a little weak in the knees.
Lexi could feel herself starting to squirm under his gaze. “So…um…”
“I can’t believe you’re here,” he said, pleasure lacing his voice.
Somehow, when she imagined running into Hunter Ashton again, it wasn’t as the hired help. Clearing her voice and doing her best to focus on folding some napkins she asked, “What about you? What are you doing here?”
“I live here. Or…rather…my parents do. My mother is hosting the fundraiser.”
Great. Why couldn’t the floor open up and swallow her right now?
“And you work with the caterer?” he asked, fishing for information.
“Actually,” she began with a sigh, because she knew there was no way to avoid talking to him, “this is my second job.”
He arched a brow at her. “And what’s your other job?”
“Digital marketing and advertising,” she replied tightly.
Hunter’s eyes went wide. “Really? That’s amazing!” He leaned in closer. “My company is looking for a new ad agency. Maybe you and I could talk…”
“Hunter!” They both turned as Susan stormed into the kitchen. People quickly moved aside to make room for her. “What in the world are you doing? Do you have any idea how rude you just were?” She looked at Lexi with thinly-veiled indifference before returning her attention to Hunter. “You need to let the servers get to work. Kendall is waiting for you!”
“Mother,” he interrupted mildly. “I’m in the middle of talking to…”
“And you were in the middle of talking to Kendall five minutes ago,” she countered and gave Lexi another glance. “Hunter, it is very important that you be seen with the right kind of people. Now please…let’s go and rejoin Kendall.”
“I’m sure she’s fine talking with Brady.”
Susan groaned. “Please…,” she muttered. “I wouldn’t do that to Kendall. And you,” she snapped at Lexi, “get back to work.”
“That is it!” Hunter yelled.
Susan’s eyes went wide for a brief second before narrowing at him. “You will keep your voice down. I will not have you causing a scene here in front of the help.”
Lexi to
ok a step back, not wanting to intrude on what was obviously about to become a big fight.
“Lexi,” Hunter said, his voice softening and she saw in his eyes, heard in his tone that he wanted her to stay. His mother certainly didn’t. Her eyes were shooting daggers at Lexi.
Turning back to his mother, Hunter’s posture stiffened. “This is enough,” he said firmly. “I’m done. I refuse to do this with you anymore.”
“Do what?” Susan asked blithely.
“For starters? I’m done with your interference in my life. My life. Not yours. There will be no more introductions or set ups. I don’t need your help finding a woman nor do I want it.”
“Well, honestly, Hunter. Do we need to keep doing this in front of…of…?” She gestured around the kitchen before landing – again – on Lexi.
“Not finished!” he snapped. “I will not stand here and watch you talk down to – or at – anyone. You are such a damn snob! You have no right to talk to anyone that way – especially Lexi!”
Susan’s head snapped to the side as she took another look at Lexi. “Lexi? You’re…you’re…”
“Yes,” Hunter said. “Lexi is the girl I was in love with in school who you forbid me to date and I – like an idiot – listened to you!”
Lexi gasped at the revelation.
“You don’t give a damn about me or my happiness,” he went on. “All you care about is how things look to other people and I refuse to live like that. I want you to apologize to Lexi.”
Susan’s eyes went wide. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Apologize to her.”
“Hunter,” both women began, but his eyes stayed on his mother as if daring her to defy him.
It was a battle of wills and Lexi hated to be in the middle of it and yet…she couldn’t help but feel a little…shocked. He had defended her. To his mother. In front of an entire room full of people, no less! While it would have been great if he had done it years ago instead of breaking her heart, it was pretty damn awesome and satisfying to watch him do it now.
Without a word of apology, Susan turned and stormed out of the kitchen, muttering the entire way about ungrateful children.
Doing her best to pick her jaw up off the floor, Lexi turned and gave Hunter an apologetic smile. “Sorry.”
His stance relaxed. “Sorry? For what?” Reaching out, he grabbed her hands in his. “I’m the one who’s sorry, Lexi. I’m sorry I didn’t stand up for you sooner. I’m sorry I took the coward’s way out and never explained anything to you. And I’m sorry for the way my mother behaved.” He shook his head sadly. “I’m just…”
“Hunter,” she interrupted softly, “it’s not your place to apologize for your mother. But I appreciate it.”
His smile was slow and sweet and yes, dammit, it had her heart fluttering just a little bit. Lexi looked around the kitchen and saw that everyone had started moving around again and knew it was time for her to do the same.
“Listen, Hunter, I really have to get back to work. I was late getting here because of the weather and so I’m a little behind and…”
“Five minutes, Lex,” he said urgently, squeezing her hands. “Just give me five minutes.”
She looked nervously toward her boss and Hunter followed the direction of her gaze. With a nod he released her hands and walked over to the older woman and spoke to her briefly. She gave Lexi a slightly annoyed look before nodding.
Without hesitation, Hunter walked back over and took her by the hand, leading her out of the kitchen and onto the side porch.
Three
Adrenaline was coursing through him. Hunter couldn’t ever remember feeling like this. This high, this carefree, this…happy! With Lexi’s hand in his, he pulled her outside onto one of the side porches and shut the door behind them. The air was cold and crisp and yet…he simply felt at peace.
Free.
For a minute, all he could do is stare at her. She was there. Lexi Hayes. The girl he’d never forgotten. The girl who…was clearly frowning at him. “Lexi?”
Lexi took a few steps away from him and looked out at the snow that was starting to cling to the trees. “I don’t have a lot of time, Hunter. I can’t afford to lose another job to you today.”
He stepped up beside her and studied her profile. “Another job? What are you talking about?”
She faced him. “I was at your office earlier today to meet with one of your people regarding the agency I work for. Today was my chance to pitch ideas. I’m normally the one getting the crap jobs but today was finally supposed to be my turn. But your guy flaked and had some sort of meltdown and canceled all of his afternoon appointments! So clearly, I didn’t get the job. My boss is pissed and then I got thrown out of your office because I was pretty adamant about still getting my chance to show my ideas.”
“Lexi…I had no idea! If I’d known it was you…”
But she wasn’t listening. “Not all of us lead privileged lives, Hunter. Some of us have to actually work for what we have. And your mom’s attitude? Yeah, I’ve been dealing with people like her my entire life and it sucks. I’m not going to let it stop me though. I enjoy working for a living and I love what I do. I just need a damn break!”
“Okay,” he said, trying to calm her. “I’m listening. Tell me what it is that you want to do.”
She rolled her eyes. “It doesn’t matter what I want to do, Hunter. I love graphic design – I’ve always loved it. And I’m good at putting together eye-catching designs for ads. I love the art of it. I love the creativity!” She paced away from him and kept moving around the space. “I stay up late at night and draw and think and plan and I’m the low man on the totem pole and have to work my way up. And believe it or not, I don’t mind that. But I don’t seem to be getting the chance to move – until today. And that ended…and…and…”
She was gasping for breath and Hunter simply reacted – taking her in his arms and holding her close until she calmed down. His hands gently rubbed up and down her back and he felt her tremble and guilt kicked him in the gut. He’d caused this.
And not just today.
“I’m sorry.”
The look of defeat and devastation on her face almost brought him to his knees. But there was no way he could lie to her.
“That executive you mentioned earlier?”
“Yeah?”
“That was me,” he said. “The firm that came in before you…” He shrugged. “Everything about them was wrong. They hadn’t listened to anything I said and I just…I lost it.”
He saw tears well in her eyes and felt like the lowest form of life.
“Lex,” he began softly, tilting his head back to get a better look at her. “For everything.”
She looked up at him and gave him a weak smile and all Hunter could think about was how much he wanted to kiss her.
****
“I need to get back inside.” Even as she said the words, Lexi wasn’t feeling them. There was so much more she wanted to say but couldn’t seem to form the words.
“You’re fine. I spoke to your boss.”
“Hunter, that’s not the point. I have a job to do and…”
“Yeah, I know,” he sighed. “You don’t want to lose another job today.”
Her shoulders sagged as she looked at him. “My life isn’t like yours, Hunter. Do you think I enjoy working two jobs and still not getting ahead? It really sucks! But I don’t…”
“Tell me about your idea,” he quickly interrupted.
“Excuse me?”
He nodded. “You heard me. Your pitch that you were going to do today. Tell me about it.”
Lexi looked over her shoulder toward the door to the kitchen and saw all the people scurrying around. “I really don’t think that now…”
He stepped in close again. “Now is the perfect time.”
She wasn’t so sure. For starters, she didn’t have her tablet with her. It was at home.
Hunter
shrugged. “So we’ll go get it.”
“There isn’t enough time, Hunter!” she cried with frustration. “It’s too late.” And then it hit her – it really was too late. For everything. Sighing, she looked him in the eye and braced herself to say what she had to say and…leave.
“Thank you for standing up to your mother for me and for making sure I was all right. But I need to go back inside and do my job.” She hated that her voice trembled as she spoke. “It was good to see you again.” She held out her hand to his – she would be a professional no matter how much it hurt. “Take care of yourself, Hunter.”
Lexi was certain he wasn’t going to stop her, that he was going to accept what she had to say and then let her go. When he took her hand in his and gave it a simple business shake, she thought she was in the clear. Except…
He wouldn’t let it go.
Wouldn’t let her go.
Lexi looked down at their joined hands and then back to his face – his handsome face – and felt her heart kick hard in her chest. She was about to say his name when he reached up with his free hand and placed a finger over her lips.
“Don’t go back to work,” he said quickly, his tone hushed.
“But…”
“We’ll leave right now. You can show me your presentation and even if it’s not what I’m looking for, you’re hired.”
“Hunter!” she cried. “That’s crazy! You can’t hire the firm I work for if we haven’t given you what you want!”
He shook his head and reached for her other hand and held them both tightly. “I don’t want to hire your firm. I want to hire you. Part of the reason we were having people come in and pitch ideas is because my own marketing department isn’t moving forward with their ideas and keeping up with the technology. Some of those guys have been with the company since I was in school. I want something new and fresh and…”
“Wait…you’re offering me a job?” she asked incredulously. “But…you haven’t even seen my work!”
“Doesn’t matter,” he said simply. “I believe in you.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “Believe it or not, I always have.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him that he clearly hadn’t believed in her all those years ago but opted to let it go. It was ancient history. It was…
Christmas in the City II Page 2