“Are you going to?”
“Not today. They’re all in San Jose.” He makes a face. “She’s driving back here right now so she can meet everyone. Says she can’t wait to taste Mom’s homemade pumpkin pie.”
My voice drops. “It’s not homemade. Not anymore. She buys it from Costco.” Biggest pies you can find for the best price, is what Mom and Dad say.
“I know that now. I thought she still made it.” Palmer’s expression turns to misery. “I lied to Cassie. I feel like a jackass.”
I burst out laughing, thinking of all the lies my ex told me. “If that’s the only lie you tell her, then don’t worry about it. She won’t be offended. Plus, you can turn this around and make it seem like Mother lied to you.”
“Ha! Good idea,” he tells me as he continues rinsing off dishes. He suddenly shuts off the water and turns to face me. “Are you doing okay, Amelia? We haven’t really talked much lately. I’ve been—preoccupied.”
My big brother was my hero when we were younger. When I was five, I declared to my parents I was going to marry him and they laughed. But I truly felt that way. No one could replace my brother.
As we grew older, we drifted apart, as so often happens. Lately he’s definitely been preoccupied, and so have I, with my breakup.
“I’m okay,” I reassure him. “Getting through it.”
“Met anyone new?” he asks, sounding like one of our aunts.
“Please don’t ask that question,” I tell him, making him laugh once more.
I think about what my friends told me. How Candice wants to set me up on a blind date at her wedding, which is a stretch. It has to be. That’s the most important day of her life! How is she going to have time to worry about who she’s setting me up with?
Please.
Never going to happen.
Five
Isaac
Fuck me sideways, it’s busy.
You’d think I’d get used to it, after working here at the tree farm for the past three years, but somehow, it’s always a surprise. The rush of customers on this day, like there’s a great big light switch that gets turned on and all of the Monterey peninsula is in search of a Christmas tree, even this early in the season.
Retail calls the day Black Friday, but Charlie Sullivan calls it Green Friday. As in, he’s selling lots of green and making lots of green too—cash, that is. It’s his most anticipated and least favorite day, all rolled into one.
And I’m pretty sure every single employee that works at Sullivan Tree Farm is scheduled today.
I got the early shift because I’m almost always here in the morning, and my seniority has to count for something. I’ve been hustling and loading trees all day. Helping people pick them out. Hauling them around over my shoulder like some sort of Paul Bunyan come to life. Charlie has been running around barking orders at everyone like a madman. His sister, Victoria, is running the retail store with that calm, cool attitude she has, everything in there humming along smoothly like it does. That attitude of hers is one her big brother clearly did not inherit.
What’s even crazier is Charlie and Candice’s wedding rehearsal is happening—tonight. Here at the tree farm. It’s scheduled to start right after we close, and quite frankly, I’m glad I won’t be around to have to help set up.
I’m sure it’ll be even more chaotic, though Candice will be here and she has this way about her. She makes everyone feel like they’re contributing and they make her so damn happy. She smiles and bounces and claps her hands together, offering accolades and gentle commands all the while. She also smooths Charlie’s ruffled feathers.
She’s good for him.
I’ve been thinking a lot about relationships lately, especially with all of this wedding stuff going on around here, and I realized a few weeks ago I’d be down to start dating a woman seriously. First I’ve got to find myself a good woman to hang out with, which isn’t easy. I’m not one to try dating apps. I’ve done it before and it was a total fail. Not like I’m out and about on a nightly basis picking up ladies.
Once I find her, we could go out to dinner, the movies, to a bar, whatever. But not some trashy bar. I’m thinking more like a classy place where she can sip wine and I’ll drink a pricey beer that’s not my usual style. We can chat about our day and snack on appetizers before we take off back to her place—my imaginary girlfriend has no roommates, which is a most excellent thing—and do the deed all night long.
That’s my problem more than anything else. When was the last time I had sex? There’s a new girl who started here recently, and she’s cute and all, but I don’t like the idea of getting involved with someone I work with. What if it doesn’t work out? Even if she’s temporary help, which I’m pretty sure she is, I won’t be able to escape her. I’ll have to see her day in and day out until Christmas Eve, and if we don’t click, that would be a nightmare.
I’m not meeting anyone new, that’s for damn sure. I don’t have time. Even when I do get a little downtime, I’m too exhausted to do much else. Or I need to catch up on laundry. Clean up some. Boring shit. My life has turned into work, sleep, eat, repeat.
This means I need to let loose soon and have a little fun.
“Isaac!”
I turn at the feminine voice, smiling when I spot Candice striding toward me. “What’s up, Miss Candice?” I ask as she stops directly in front of me.
“Oh! Too many things to mention.” She glances around, her eyes growing wide when she takes in all the activity surrounding us. “It’s very busy today.”
“It’s that time of year,” I remind her.
“Trust me, I know. I feel like we’ve been building up to this moment for a long time, and now it’s here!” She starts hopping up and down, and I know she’s referring to her wedding day, which is tomorrow. “Hey, I have a question for you.”
“What is it?” I glance around, noticing a family contemplating their tree choices. I should probably go over there and help them, but when the boss man’s woman is talking to you, you need to pay attention.
“Are you…seeing anyone currently?” She flutters her eyelashes at me, her expression one of pure innocence.
Huh.
“No, not really. Don’t have much time for it,” I answer carefully, wondering where she’s going with this.
She frowns. “Not really? Or not at all?”
“Not at all,” I correct. “Your future husband has me running ragged around here currently. I don’t have much time for dating at the moment.”
Her frown disappears, turning into a beaming smile. “Hmm, that’s what I thought. Perfect.”
“Perfect? That Charlie is working me to the bone and I’m exhausted by the end of every day?” I’m teasing her, but from the frantic look on her face, guess she can’t tell.
“No, no, not that part! I mean you not seeing anyone right now is perfect.” Another frown appears on her face, a little line forming between her eyebrows. “Charlie shouldn’t be working you so hard. You deserve some time off.”
“I’ll get a vacation in January,” I reassure her. “I always do. Don’t you worry about me.”
“As long as you’re sure,” she says, sounding doubtful.
“I’m sure,” I say firmly. “Hey, why are you so concerned with my love life?”
“Don’t you worry about me,” Candice repeats my own words back to me, though hers sound far more mysterious. “I have nothing planned.”
She flounces off before I can say another word, which leaves me guessing she most definitely has something planned.
Frowning, I approach the family who is contemplating a variety of Christmas trees, and while they’re polite, the couple waves me off, saying they’ll call me if and when they need me. I subtly watch them from a distance, lost in thought, curious over why Candice acted that way just now.
She’s got lots of friends, mostly rich ones. Far too rich for my blood. If she hopes to set me up with one of them, that would probably end in disaster. I’m a simple guy fro
m a middle-class family. We’re not what I would call uppity—not at all. I probably need a few lessons in manners, and I sure as hell don’t know which fork to use when I’m at a fancy dinner.
Not that I go to any fancy dinners or have to worry about multiple forks…
“Hey you.”
Another feminine voice sounds from behind me and I turn to find the new girl standing there with a pleasant smile on her face. We’ve never really spoken to each other before unless you count the occasional hello and head nod when we walk past each other.
“Hi,” I tell her, unsure of what to say next. Am I that out of the game that I can’t even come up with something to say? Pathetic.
She smiles. I’d bet she’s younger than me, but not by much. Her nose is pierced with a tiny silver hoop and I stare at it for a moment, wondering if that hurt.
“You doing okay?” she asks.
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“You seemed a little…out of it just now.”
“Oh. Yeah. Just tired.” My smile is faint. “Been a long day. Taking a little break, I guess.”
“It’s really busy today.” She looks from her left to her right before returning her gaze to mine. “So many people.”
“Yeah, get used to it. It’s our big season.”
“I’ll say.” She takes a step forward. “I’m Kendra, by the way.” She usually works in the tent, selling wreaths and the flocked trees. She only just started a few weeks ago, and she’s a good worker. Keeps busy. Keeps her pierced nose out of trouble.
“Isaac.” I nod and take her offered hand, giving it a shake. Notice that I feel nothing, but hey, I can’t base anything off that. It’s not always about instantaneous chemistry. “Nice to meet you.”
“Yeah, you too. Everyone’s always rushing around this place, no one hardly talks to me, you know?” She lifts her brows in question.
“Starting now, it gets a little crazy, and it’ll stay this way right up till Christmas,” I explain. “It’s not that we aren’t friendly here. We just—barely have time to breathe.”
“I had no idea Christmas trees were such brisk business,” she says, sounding truly surprised.
I briefly check her out as she glances around the farm. She’s pretty enough. Brown hair, brown eyes, good figure. Really nice rack, if I’m being honest. Seems nice, but I don’t know. There’s something about her that’s not clicking for me. I don’t think she’s a bad person or anything, but I get the sense she’s not my kind of person.
“Sir! We have a question. Can you help us, please?” This comes from the mom of the family I was just eyeing.
“Just a second,” I tell the group before I turn to face Kendra once more. “Duty calls.”
“Yeah, it does.” She smiles. “Nice meeting you, Isaac. I’ll see you later.”
“See ya around,” I say, waving before I walk away.
I think about Kendra as I help the family choose a tree, their three kids running circles around us as if they’re high on sugar. Judging from their candy cane-stained faces, I’d guess my assumption is correct.
Kendra seems all right. Pleasant. Right here in front of my face, which if I was interested, that would be handy.
But I don’t think I’m interested.
My thoughts immediately go to the woman I annoyed here a few days ago. Candice’s friend. Amelia. Now she was a beauty. Elegant. Refined. A little snooty, but I have a feeling I could get her to come around.
She’s far too classy for my simple ass. Yet I can’t stop thinking about her.
What’s up with that? I don’t normally go for unattainable women. I don’t like to torture myself. But that one?
I’d deal with a little torture to get closer to her.
Yes, I would.
Six
Isaac
Saturday is the big day for the Sullivan wedding, and I wake up exhausted. Yesterday had me running ragged, helping customers pick out trees while also dealing with wedding and reception deliveries that were happening all afternoon. I’m making major overtime thanks to all these hours I’m putting in, but still.
I need a day of rest. Won’t be getting it until tomorrow, thank God. Charlie told me I was his right hand guy for the big day, and while I was honored he trusts me the most out of anyone else on this tree farm besides his sister, Victoria, who is also busting her butt, I am also tense as hell. Worried I’ll somehow mess something up.
Spider-Man’s uncle was right. With great power comes great responsibility, and that shit is no joke.
I’m hustling so much, by the time the early afternoon rolls around, I’m ready to collapse. Drink a beer, take a shower, and go to bed. But I can’t.
I have a wedding to attend still.
So I get ready in Charlie’s office. Brought a duffel bag with a change of clothes with me to work today, and I make quick work of it, hoping I don’t smell too bad. Brought cologne too and give myself a couple of sprays. Check out my reflection in the mirror Charlie keeps stashed in his desk, doing my best to fix my hair before I give up and make my way to the bathroom.
Better mirror, better view, and access to actual water.
Once I’ve set myself to rights, I wander out into the store Victoria runs. Most everyone is gone, and Victoria is standing behind the register, looking as if she’s tallying up the day’s totals. I’m sure the store took in a lot of money the last few days. We’ve been swarmed since yesterday morning when we kicked off Black Friday.
“Any customers still in here?” I call out to her.
She lifts her gaze to mine and slowly shakes her head. “Just me and a couple of employees.”
“Perfect. You need any help? Shouldn’t you be getting ready for the wedding?” I ask.
“I’ve got this, but thank you. And it won’t take too long for me to prepare. I’ll use my office.” She smiles.
I smile back. She’s cute and all, and we’ve flirted more than a few times over the years, but I refuse to get involved with the owner’s family. The moment we break up, I’d be out. I like this job too damn much to risk it.
It’s nice, though, how the Sullivans are no nonsense. What you see is what you get, and when it comes to Charlie, he’s brusque. Blunt. Sometimes a little too blunt. That’s why it’s funny to me that Charlie is marrying Candice Gaines. She’s a sweetheart, but she’s also a very prissy woman who is full of sunshine and rainbows and always wants to take care of people. She wears fancy clothes and always looks put together, yet she has no problem helping out someone if they’re in need.
She never stops smiling. Charlie never stops scowling. I suppose they’re a good match.
I exit the store and stride toward the field of trees, where Candice and Charlie’s wedding ceremony will be held. The reception is happening near the front of the tree farm, in a large grassy area where Candice held a very successful fundraiser last year. That’s probably what put the idea in her head. That and the woman just flat out loves Christmas more than any human should.
“Don’t you clean up nice?”
I turn to find Kendra smiling at me, her eyes alight with interest as she blatantly takes me in.
“Thanks,” I say, smiling at her in return. “You about off your shift?”
“Sure am. What about you? You busy later?” she asks. Huh. Is she trying to get me to do something with her?
“I’m off for the day, but I’m staying for the wedding,” I answer.
“Lucky you,” she drawls, glancing around as three people carrying giant floral arrangements go scurrying by. “How’d you luck out with a wedding invite?”
“I’ve worked here a while,” I say with a shrug, playing it off. No need to give her a bunch of details. I’m in good with Charlie and the rest of the Sullivans.
“Sucking up to the boss is a good idea then, huh?” She grins, and I’m immediately put off by her statement. I don’t suck up to Charlie. I’ve worked here for a couple of years and I do a damn good job. I consider Charlie one of my friends, and I
hope he feels the same.
“I don’t suck up to Charlie,” I say, my tone flat.
“Ah, oops. I think I offended you. Sorry.” She leans over and punches me lightly in the upper arm. “You got a hot date for the wedding then?”
“No.” I shake my head.
“Want one?” She raises her brows, a suggestive smile on her lips.
“Sorry.” I smile and start walking backwards, suddenly desperate to get away from her. She’s pushing way too hard. “I need to go help set up.”
“That’s why you’re invited to the wedding, you know,” she calls after me as I turn tail and start walking briskly. “They’re just using you for hired help!”
Annoyance flashes through me at what Kendra said, but I try to forget it. I can’t, though. That last insult she tossed at me makes me feel like shit. Here I am, wearing fancy clothes and setting up chairs for the ceremony, and it sucks, you know? Maybe I am being used as hired help. Not like Charlie and I do stuff together outside of work. Though I was invited to his bachelor party, and that was a good time. In fact, it was a great time. At one point, I had a hot stripper grinding on my knee, her tits in my face and I was drunk as hell, laughing my ass off. And I wasn’t even the future groom.
Glancing around, I slowly realize I’m not the only one who’s setting up white folding chairs. So is Victoria. And their brother, Russ. Well, shit, there’s their parents. The whole damn Sullivan family is out here helping out, and that makes me feel a shit ton better.
See, Kendra, I want to say. I’m not just the hired help.
I’m part of the family.
We’re halfway through the ceremony before I realize Miss Fancy Pants is sitting across the aisle in the bride’s section, one row up from mine. I recognize her dark head. Her perfect profile. Her full lips form a slight pout, and they’re slicked with deep red lipstick. I’ve never been one to be drawn to makeup on a woman, but those red lips are sexy. Their pouty shape is even sexier.
Blind Date (Dating Series Book 7) Page 4