Harlequin Romance December 2020 Box Set

by Susan Meier, Sophie Pembroke, Jessica Gilmore

  “I like my television. I can see the game better than if I were there in person.”

  It seemed as though Mr. Merryweather—er, Merryweather—was determined to argue with him, no matter what Graham said. The best thing for him to do now was to pick up his red toolbox—er, Alina’s red toolbox—and head out the door.

  “I should be going,” Graham said.

  “You won’t be back, right?”

  What? That was a strange comment. “Not unless you call.”

  “No. I mean, next time Alina will come to do the work, right?”

  “I’m going to be filling in for Alina until Christmas.”

  “Oh.” Talk about a deflated sound.

  Graham shifted his weight from foot to foot. He couldn’t help but wonder if this was what his employees thought with him stepping in to fill his father’s place at the helm of the company. He didn’t do things like his father had done for many years. And he knew it bothered a lot of employees.

  However, his father’s resistance to change had put the company in a bind. There was no room to grow. And building a new home for Toliver’s was the only way to secure its future.

  “What if I were to bring a treat the next time I visit?”

  Interest lit up the older man’s face. “What sort of treat?”

  Graham didn’t realize details would be necessary. “What would you suggest?”

  “Well, I don’t know. You’re the one that mentioned it.”

  Technically, Merryweather had been the first to mention a treat. This was all Alina’s fault. Whoever heard of a handyman bringing baked goods to the tenants? Wasn’t it enough to fix whatever may be broken? Leave it to Alina to raise the bar. No wonder no one wanted to move.

  “How about sugar cookies?” Graham suggested. “After all, it’s the holiday season.”

  “No. Alina bakes the best sugar cookies.”

  Graham sighed because the big toolbox was growing heavy and he didn’t want to put it down as that might signal he was staying for a while and that wasn’t the case.

  “I know, gingersnaps.” Merryweather smiled. “My mother used to make them. They were just right with a punch of flavor and they snapped when you bit into them.”

  Were those Christmas cookies? Graham wasn’t up on his Christmas fare, but then again, did it really matter so long as Merryweather was happy? He just wondered if the Polka Dotted Bakery made them. “Gingersnaps, it is. Goodbye, Mr. Merryweather.”

  “Tell Alina I said hi.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  Graham let himself out of the apartment and headed toward the elevator. Then, realizing that every time he stepped in it he could run into a tenant that inevitably needed something done around their apartment, he opted to take the stairs.

  But when he opened the fire door and stepped into the hallway of the first floor, there was an older woman standing outside the building manager’s door. He inwardly groaned.

  It was probably another tenant that needed help with something or other. And he really didn’t have time. He had five reports that needed reviewed and two memos to sign off on. How Alina maintained another job in addition to managing the building was totally beyond him. This position seemed to be full-time and then some—and he’d been here less than two hours!

  “Can I help you?” he asked.

  The older woman turned to him. Her bright red lips pursed together as her eyes narrowed behind black framed glasses. “Do I know you?”

  He didn’t recall her from his brief tour the prior evening. But it had gotten too late to meet everyone. “No, you don’t.”

  “Then what are you doing in this building?” And then her gaze lowered to the toolbox in his hand. “You borrowed Alina’s toolbox?”

  “Worse than that, I’m filling in for the building manager.”

  “Oh.” Her eyes widened. “For a moment, I’d forgotten about Alina’s arrangements.”

  “Do you need something fixed?”

  “Come with me.” She crooked her finger.

  His business would have to wait a bit longer. Perhaps he should have asked Alina more questions before agreeing to her terms. From his point of view, she definitely got the better end of the deal.

  * * *

  He was the sexiest building manager ever.

  As soon as the totally inappropriate thought of Graham came to Alina, she dismissed it.

  The next morning, Alina couldn’t think of Graham as just another man. He was anything but the usual guy that passed through her life and it was more than his devastatingly handsome looks. He held the keys to her future. He decided if she stayed or left—of whether she clung to the makeshift family that had surrounded her through the loss of both of her parents. And it was for that reason she had to keep her wits about her.

  Showered and dressed for work, she moved to her bedroom door to find Prince waiting for her. He lifted his head and blinked.

  “Mrrrr…”

  He got up from his spot at the end of the bed and rubbed over her ankles. Alina bent over and picked him up. Prince stretched his neck, pressing his nose to hers. Alina’s heart swelled with love.

  She ran her hand down over Prince’s back as his deep purr emanated. Holding him with one arm, she opened the door. She carried the still purring Prince to the kitchen, where she lowered him to the floor.

  “Mrrrr…”

  “Okay, I’m getting your breakfast.” She reached in the cabinet and grabbed a can of cat food and one of Prince’s bowls.

  Once Prince was taken care of, she turned and filled the coffeemaker with water and added a pod. With a press of a button, her morning caffeine was under way. And boy did she need a nice big mug of coffee this morning.

  Prince sat next to her as he woofed down his breakfast like he hadn’t been fed in days. When the bowl was licked clean, he looked up at her. His eyes begged her for seconds.

  “Sorry, buddy, that’s all you get. The vet said I had to quit spoiling you.” When she bent down to soften her words by scratching behind his ears, he dashed past her. He definitely didn’t like his new diet.

  Knock-knock.

  Alina opened the door to find Graham standing there. “Good morning.”

  “I need more time.”

  “Time? Time for what?” She had no idea what he was talking about.

  He smiled at her and then pointed at the earpiece. “I don’t care what you have to do to make it work. I’m not signing off until I have a chance to review the details. And yes, I know it’s Saturday. I have to go.” He glanced at her, looking a bit sheepish. “Sorry about that. It was the office.”

  “Come in. Why are you working on the weekend?”

  “Business waits for no man.”

  She shook her head in disbelief. He needed a break more than she thought. She gave Graham a quick once-over, finding him dressed in jeans and a red sweater. At least it was a change from his designer suits and ties. Although she couldn’t decide which look she preferred. He looked good no matter what he wore—

  She stopped herself. What was it about being around him that muddled her thinking? She just got done telling herself that she wasn’t going to be susceptible to his good looks. This was important. He had to take her seriously.

  “Is something wrong?” He glanced down at his outfit, then lifted his head, his brows knitted together in confusion.

  “Uh. No, I… I was just thinking that I had to make time to get a Christmas tree before all of the good ones are picked over.” She busied herself by pouring him a cup of coffee. “I’m sure you already have your tree.”

  He accepted the cup. “I told you I’m not a fan of Christmas.”

  “Oh, that’s right.” Alina couldn’t imagine not doing anything at all. She loved Christmas. The joy of the season was so infectious. “Not even when you were a kid?”

 
; Graham shrugged. “My father said it was nothing more than a marketing scheme.”

  “That’s so sad because it’s so much more. Maybe you’ll see it differently this year.”

  “I don’t think so. I have my business to run and it takes up all of my time.”

  “You know what they say about all work and no play.”

  He took a sip of coffee. “Are you implying I’m boring?”

  She held up both hands in innocence. “I don’t even know you yet.” Alina filled her to-go coffee mug. “I have to go to work now. Was there anything you needed?”

  “I was wondering if you’ll be around for dinner.” He rushed to add, “It’ll be a business dinner as I’m sure I’ll have questions about the building.”

  “Sorry, I’ll be late. I’m going to work as many hours as they’ll give me throughout the holidays.”

  “Because of me?”

  She busied herself, checking for her keys and purse, in order to avoid his pointed gaze. And then she decided that they couldn’t just dance around this subject. She lifted her head and met his gaze straight on. “Yes. Rent in this city is going to cost a fortune. And even with everything I’m saving, I don’t know if I can afford to live someplace else. And I have it better than other people in the building who are retired with no means of raising additional income.”

  He frowned. “I’m giving out bonuses.”

  “But how far will they go? Let me tell you, not very far at all.”

  Graham rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “I don’t expect you to say anything. I just need you to understand—really understand—the ramifications of your actions.” She shrugged on her red coat. “Is your new building really this important?”

  “Yes.” Graham’s voice was firm.

  It was not the answer she wanted to hear. She grabbed her stocking cap, decorated with a design of white snowflakes, from her coat pocket. She couldn’t get upset. She had to remain calm. After all, her plan to change his mind had barely begun.

  She forced a smile to her lips. “I’ve got to get going. I’ll see you later.” Just then Prince returned to her side. She bent down to pet him. “I’ll see you later, too. Be good.”

  Prince turned around to walk away. He paused in front of Graham and looked up at him. Alina would love to know what Prince was thinking. When Graham noticed, he moved to pet Prince, who once again scurried away. What was up with that? Was it possible Prince was jealous? Laughter bubbled up in her throat.

  “It’s not funny,” Graham said. “He just won’t give an inch.”

  “Hey, he didn’t growl at you this time. That’s something.”

  He held up the still full cup. “Mind if I bring this back later?”

  “Not at all.”

  Graham headed for the door, but she was standing between him and the door. As he passed by her, their bodies briefly brushed against each other. Her heart slammed into her chest as awareness set every one of her nerve endings a-tingling. So much for telling herself that she could treat Graham like everyone else.

  “I’ll see you later,” she said as she put the lid on her to-go mug.

  “I’ll be here.”

  And then the door closed. She could at last take a full breath. This was going to be a very long few weeks. Very long indeed.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  HER FEET ACHED.

  Her knees ached.

  Her arms ached.

  Okay, so there wasn’t a part of Alina’s body that didn’t ache. She’d worked a ten-hour shift. Ten hours of being on her feet, carrying heavy trays of food to table after table, was exhausting. She couldn’t wait to get back to her party planning. At least then she’d be seated.

  After this very busy week, all she wanted to do on this Friday evening was kick off her rubber-soled shoes and climb in a bubble bath with a couple of candles and a captivating thriller. She wanted to get lost in the pages as the heroine outsmarted the killer.

  But when she entered the foyer of her apartment building, she breathed in the most delightful aroma of… What was that? And where was it coming from?

  She inhaled again. The scent of oregano and garlic called to her. Her stomach rumbled in response. She’d been too busy at work to stop and eat. But on the plus side, she’d received the biggest tip that night. And it was going straight toward her future rent/deposit.

  Graham stepped into the hallway. Upon seeing her, his eyes widened. “You just saved me a trip.”

  She approached him. “How did I do that?”

  “I was headed to your apartment to leave a note on your door.”

  “About what?”

  “Dinner.” He went on to tell her that he had had dinner delivered from one of Manhattan’s poshest restaurants.

  “Wow. I’ve heard how hard it is to get a table. No one ever said they have delivery service.”

  “They don’t.”

  “But you—”

  “Know the owner.”

  “Lucky you.”

  Alina took a step back. “I’ll let you eat before it gets cold.”

  “But I got enough to share. Unless you already ate?”

  “There wasn’t time. We were too busy.”

  “Well, come in.” He gestured her inside his apartment.

  She didn’t know what she was expecting to find, but it was though the unit had had a complete makeover. In the past week, he’d certainly made himself at home. There was a new desk with two large computer monitors side by side and a black leather desk chair.

  “I hope you don’t mind that I made a few changes.”

  She shook her head, still taking in the changes. “Not at all.”

  Against the other wall were a couple of comfy-looking chairs and a small fridge with a microwave atop it.

  “This—” he gestured to the wall behind him “—is for anyone who wants some coffee or doughnuts in the morning.”

  “So you’re having an open-door policy, literally.”

  “Something like that.”

  She stared at the small table by the doorway with a new coffeemaker and a big white baker’s box with the Polka Dotted Bakery logo. There was only one doughnut left and a bunch of crumbs. Wow. He really had made himself at home. And it looked as though he was trying to win over the Stirling residents, one doughnut and coffee at a time.

  “Have a seat.” He gestured to the chairs.

  “I can help get the food.”

  “You are my guest. I’ve got this.” He turned and set to work.

  The man was certainly stubborn. She looked on as he pulled out plates and utensils from one bag and food containers from a second bag. She grew uncomfortable with him waiting on her when she was perfectly capable of doing it herself.

  “This isn’t necessary,” she said. “I can do it.”

  “Yes, it is necessary. You look exhausted.”

  “I’m fine.” Liar. “I can help you.”

  He arched a disbelieving brow and stared at her until she sat down. She stifled a sigh as she got off her feet. Her pride refused to let Graham see that he was right about her needing to sit down.

  He made short work of serving up the food. When he handed her a plate, her mouth watered.

  Graham sat down. “There. Was that so hard?”

  “What?”

  “Letting me do something for you?”

  She placed the plate on her lap. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “You are always going out of your way to help people, but you refuse to accept help in return.”

  Heat flared in her cheeks. “I don’t need people going out of their way for me. I’m fine on my own.”

  “How about just letting someone do something nice for you because they want to?”

  Had she spent so much of h
er life waiting on others that she’d learned to ignore her own needs? She dismissed the thought. Graham was putting wayward thoughts in her very tired brain.

  For a few minutes they ate in silence. Alina smothered a moan of delight over the food. “This is delicious.”

  “So glad you like it. See. It doesn’t hurt to let someone do things for you.”

  “Really?” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “You make it sound like my being self-sufficient is a fault.”

  His gaze lowered to his plate. “I’m just saying sometimes you have to consider yourself.”

  She didn’t like the turn in this conversation. It reminded her too much of how her stepmother used to needle her with snide little insults here and there. The food was overcooked, the laundry was too wrinkled—it went on and on.

  Her gaze narrowed on him, and she became intent on turning this conversation away from what he viewed as her shortcomings. “All this advice from a man who wrote the book on being stubborn.”

  “Stubborn?”

  She nodded. “You insist on doing things your way.”

  “This from the woman who refuses to accept that this apartment building is going to be demolished. Instead of making plans for the future, you’re clinging to the past.”

  Her gaze narrowed on him. “The past is important. And it’s not just me that thinks so. Haven’t you learned anything by working around the building this week?”

  “I’ve learned that Mrs. Campbell in 203 has a cute little dog that is very curious. I’ve learned that Mr. Merryweather prefers to be called Merryweather minus the mister. He also has a sweet tooth and he misses your visits. Apparently I’m not nearly as good of company as you. And I know there’s some really nosy woman on the first floor that refuses to change her own light bulb. She asked a lot of questions about you.”

  Alina had a sneaking suspicion she knew who it was. “Did the woman have bleached blond hair?” When he nodded, she asked, “Did she have on a lot of makeup, especially eye makeup?”

  “How did you know?”

  “Because it was my stepmother. Although I thought she was supposed to be on vacation. I must have gotten my weeks mixed up.”