The Christmas Wedding Swap

by Allyson Charles

  “What, so soon?” her mother asked. “We hardly got to know Luke at all.”

  Exactly.

  Allison prodded him into the foyer and shoved his coat at him. Her family trailed after them.

  “You’ve had plenty of time to interrogate him.” Allison twisted around, trying to find the jacket sleeve that was eluding her seeking arm. Luke held the coat out for her and helped her slide in. “And we really do need to be going.”

  “Thank you so much for the lovely brunch, Janet,” Luke said. “I can see where Allison got her culinary skills.” He took her mom’s hand and kissed her cheek. Said cheek bloomed a faint pink. Luke had that effect on women.

  “You’ll have to come back next Sunday.” Her mother stood beside her father and tucked her hand around his arm. “You’re most welcome here.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Allison grabbed Luke’s sleeve and pulled him to the door. “We’ll have to see about next week. But brunch was great. I’ll talk to you all later.” She was sure her phone would be lit up with all the calls she’d be getting from her mother and sisters in the next couple of days.

  Amid one last chorus of goodbyes, she shoved Luke out the door and pulled it tight behind them. She whooshed out a deep breath. Operation Fake Boyfriend seemed to be a complete success. Too bad in reality she was even more pathetic than her family had thought. Making up a serious relationship was about as sad as one could get.

  Luke grumbled, but he settled himself in the passenger’s seat when she got behind the wheel. He was a man who definitely like to be in control, whether in a car or a kitchen. Well, he’d have to suck it up. She liked to be behind the wheel, too.

  She should have headed back to The Pantry. It hadn’t been just an excuse. Even though she trusted her staff, they could always use a helping hand. But she turned the car toward home instead. She was exhausted. Lying to her loved ones took up a lot of energy.

  “I liked your family.” Luke fiddled with her radio, changing the station from country to classic eighties. He held the button to make that station a preset.

  She slapped his hand away. “Don’t mess with my radio. And thanks. They can be pretty great—when they’re not driving me crazy.”

  He shrugged. “Families. What are you going to do?”

  She laced her fingers with his, and rested their hands on the center armrest. “I’m sorry. I’ve been bitching about my family, and you…” She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” He brushed his thumb along her hand. “I had great parents for twenty-three years. I was lucky.”

  They drove in silence.

  “Your nieces are cute,” he finally said, “though that’s an amazing amount of energy crammed into two small bodies.”

  Allison pulled into her driveway and cut the engine. “You got off lucky today. You should hear them on one of their birthdays. Or Halloween. The decibel level of their screams would shatter crystal.”

  “That bad, huh?”

  “Worse. But they’re a heck of a lot of fun. I love babysitting those two.” She shut off the ignition. “Cam and I had talked about me having them over for a sleepover sometime before Christmas, so you might get to experience the full effect.” She smiled over at him. “You should buy yourself some earplugs next time you’re at the store.”

  He looked a little pale at the thought. “Like I said, cute kids. But meeting them did make me happy about what I bought at the drug store yesterday.” Running his hand up her arm, Luke leaned over and brushed his lips across Allison’s ear.

  She heated instantly at his touch, a Pavlovian response she couldn’t control. “What’s that?”

  “A box of condoms with your name on it. Economy size. I was trying to calculate how many times a day we’d have to do it in order to use them all up before I leave.” He tugged on her hair, tilting her head back and giving his lips access to her neck.

  She closed her eyes, enjoying the suction at that one spot below her ear. He’d found that sensitive spot so quickly and used it to his advantage every chance he got. “Oh? Are you up for the challenge?”

  He pulled back, eyes narrowing. “Do you doubt my ability?”

  She shrugged, trying to look indifferent. “I’m a personal believer in the motto ‘trust but verify.’ Once we get inside, you can try to confirm your claim.”

  And he did. All afternoon long.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Luke leaned on the doorframe of Allison’s office. He watched as she powered down her computer and stretched behind her desk. She bounced up and down on that weird ball-chair thing she had, and as much as Luke thought using an exercise ball as a chair was silly, he had to admit that there wasn’t much better in life than seeing Allison bouncing up and down.

  It gave him all sorts of filthy ideas.

  He knocked on the door. “Hey, it’s pretty dead out front. I was wondering if you still needed me here.”

  She stood and tossed her phone and a pad of paper in her purse. “It’s Tuesday. The Pantry is always empty on Tuesdays.”

  “Does that mean you don’t need me?” He grabbed her coat off a hook on the wall and held it out for her. She slipped her arms in, and Luke pulled it up, drawing her hair out from under the collar.

  “You can go.” She fumbled, tying the belt of her coat. “Got a hot date?”

  “Don’t make jokes like that.” He stepped into her space and smoothed the lapel of her coat. He loved touching this woman. She was just so much softer than his previous lovers—in body and soul. She put on an attitude, wore her shit-kicker boots and platinum hair like a shield. And Luke had no doubt that she wasn’t a woman to mess with. But she couldn’t hide her kind heart.

  That heart had been worrying him a little more each day. He’d seen the way Allison looked at him when they were alone together, like he hung the moon in the sky. She made him feel like there was nothing he couldn’t do. And he knew when he was around her, his face showed the same goofy expression.

  How the hell were they going to go from spending every day together to a spare weekend now and then?

  His heart hurt just thinking about it. It was like he was mourning something that hadn’t yet died.

  He kissed her forehead. “I was going to head to the supermarket and pick up groceries. I want to do some test runs on the wedding menu tonight at home. So I hope you’re hungry. You’re going to be doing a lot of taste testing.”

  She pulled her purse over her shoulder. “I’m going shopping too, and that always makes me hungry.”

  “Hmm. If we’re both going shopping, we could join forces, go together. That way I wouldn’t have to have the groceries delivered.” And he wanted to cram in as much Allison time as he could in the next month.

  “But it will take us twice as long. Besides, one of my stops is to get a Christmas tree. I don’t think you’d—”

  “A Christmas tree?” He stuck his hand inside her belt and tugged her to the door. “I haven’t bought a Christmas tree since… I don’t know when.” He paused at the entrance to the kitchen, long enough to kick off his clogs and pull on his boots. “Do you get a fresh one, cut it down?”

  Allison pushed out the back door, took her keys from her pocket. “I usually just get one from in front of the drug store, but I guess we could go to Tony’s to cut one down.”

  “Great.” He snagged the keys from her hand and pressed her into the passenger seat. “I’m driving.”

  He closed the door on her scowl. Whistling, he rounded the hood of the car, surprised at how excited he was to get a tree. In Chicago, getting a tree just didn’t seem important. In Pineville, it felt mandatory. He should have thought of getting one for Allison’s house himself.

  “Okay. Where to?” he asked as he slid behind the wheel.

  “It would be easier if I just drove.”

  “But not nearly so much fun for me
.” He put the car in gear and rolled forward so she couldn’t jump out. “Come on. Be my navigator.”

  “Fine.” She huffed and crossed her arms under her chest.

  He loved when she did that, making her generous breasts even fuller. He needed to irritate her more often. And then apologize in just the way he knew she liked. A delightful cycle all around.

  She directed him to a lot about a mile out of town and they drove under a banner that read “Tony’s Trees.” Fat white flakes started to drift onto the windshield as he found a parking spot next to a wood shack. A man bundled up in a thick parka was helping a family tie a small tree to the top of their station wagon. “Did you bring a handsaw, or does Tony provide them?” Luke asked.

  She pointed to the side of the shed. Several saws hung off nails pounded into the wood side. Luke jumped out of the car and trotted to the shed. He rocked onto the balls of his feet. Picking out a saw with a cherry-red handle, he held it up for Allison’s inspection.

  She pointed to another saw. “That one’s newer, sharper. I’d rather saw with it.”

  Frowning, he tucked a hand under her elbow and led her into the patch of fir trees. “You won’t be sawing, so don’t worry about it. Besides, newer isn’t always better. There’s something to be said for experience and style.” She snorted, but otherwise remained silent. “What, no arguments over equal rights for women? No remarks about how you’re just as strong and capable of cutting down a tree as a man?”

  She circled around a six-foot pine, eyed it critically, and moved to another. “I am capable of cutting down a tree. But I’m also smart enough to let someone else get a sore arm if he’s offering. You can saw to your heart’s delight.”

  He looked at the squat tree that she examined and saw its thick trunk. He’d never cut down a tree before. The one time he and his dad had gone to a lot like this, his father had done the deed. He’d lived in the city his whole life, and the only time he’d held a saw was in high school wood shop class. But how hard could it be?

  Still, maybe one of the skinnier trees would be better. “How about this one? It looks more graceful than the one you’re checking out.”

  “It’s also four feet tall. No pygmy trees.” She patted his arm. “But don’t worry. If you get tired, I can take over the saw.”

  Like hell. “How about this one?” He dragged her in front of a ten-foot monstrosity. He didn’t care how sore his arm got. No pansy trees for Allison.

  “That wouldn’t even fit in my house.” She shook her head as if he was hopeless.

  Gritting his teeth, he pulled her all around the lot until they finally agreed on a seven-foot Douglas fir. His shoulder did feel a twinge or two, but he smiled and never let her see him sweat. Hiking the tree over his shoulder, he wound his way to the shed. Allison had brought rope with her, so he and Tony strapped the tree down. Luke tugged the ropes, making sure it was secure.

  Allison stood by the open window to the shed with her wallet out, waiting for Tony. Luke strode over to her and pushed her wallet back in her purse. “I got it.”

  Tony plodded into the shed, and a second later his head popped out of the window. He looked expectantly between Luke and Allison.

  Allison lowered her voice. “I know you’re probably running low on cash, not having access to your bank accounts. I can take care of my tree.”

  Neck prickling, Luke forced a smile. She was trying to be considerate—a nice quality. So why did he feel insulted as hell? He matched his tone to hers. “Sweet cheeks, I’m not a pauper. Aside from the cash you pay me each week”—money that he hated accepting—“if I run low I can have my manager wire me some funds. I got this.” He had a five-million-dollar condo in Chicago, and Allison had a porch that leaked. He was earning his wage, but it still didn’t sit right.

  After paying for the tree, he herded her to the car, and they headed for their next stop, a mall in Clarion Township. A half hour later, a frustrated Allison stomped back to the car. “No one has that stupid Caty Cowgirl doll. I promised Molly. I can’t break a promise to a six-year-old.”

  “Buy it online. It will be a lot easier.” Luke sucked on a lemon drop. He offered Allison the white paper bag he’d filled with a mix of old-fashioned candies from a shop in the mall.

  She pulled out a Neapolitan and unwrapped it. “Gee, why didn’t I think of that?” Sarcasm dripped from her words like grease from bacon. She bit off the pink end of the coconut candy. “Every online store I’ve looked at is backordered and won’t ship out until after the twenty-fifth. I’m going to be the bad aunt this Christmas.”

  She looked so worried about disappointing a six-year-old that he couldn’t help but pull her close and squeeze her tight. The snow continued to fall softly around them, but Allison warmed his body, his own personal heater. She wrapped her arms around his neck and burrowed against his chest. Luke wanted to freeze that moment, store it away. His restaurant and the lawsuit were distant memories. His Chicago life felt as far away as the moon. Only the press of Allison against him and the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg from the pumpkin pies she’d made that day were real.

  It was just one moment out of time. And it was perfect.

  “Luke?”

  “Yeah?” He pressed his lips to her hairline.

  “I think I got my candy in your hair.”

  He threw his head back and laughed. “I’ve had much worse stuck there.”

  “Well, isn’t this sweet?” The snide voice turned Luke’s muscles to stone. He slowly unwound himself from Allison, and stepped in front of her, blocking her from Laurie’s view.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked his former manager, his voice holding more growl than it should. And how had she found him in the parking lot? He should buy stock in that Glanz app. If it could pinpoint his location that well, there was no telling what it could be used for. Private investigators would have a field day if they could install it in their targets’ phones—as well as vile stalkers, like Laurie. Clenching his fist, he released a long breath. He needed to appease this woman. “I thought you were going to consult with an attorney.”

  “I did.” Laurie tipped her head, her sleek French braid slipping off the shoulder of her knee-length leopard-print coat. “I came to tell you what he said.” Laurie nodded behind him. “Do you want to have this conversation in private?”

  Luke didn’t want to have the conversation at all. But if he was having it, he wanted Allison at his side. Reaching back, he grabbed Allison’s hand and tugged her next to him. “It’s okay. Allison knows about the lawsuit.”

  “Does she now?” Laurie’s eyes flicked between him and Allison, hard, sizing them up. “Well, my attorney agreed with your assessment. If you don’t get served, the lawsuit goes away. I was just acting as your agent. There’s no case against me.”

  Luke wanted to dispute the ‘just acting as your agent’ bit, but clenched his jaw shut. Appeasement. Appeasement. “I’m glad to hear it. Thanks for letting me know. Can I get you some dinner before you head back to Chicago?”

  “Since you brought such good news,” Allison added, “you can come back to The Pantry with us. Dinner’s on the house.”

  “Oh, I think we can do better than that diner. Can’t we, Luke?” Laurie hit him with a smile that had sent an orthodontist’s children through college.

  Allison tensed, and Luke’s blood boiled. Damn Laurie. She’d always enjoyed her little insults. And Luke had either laughed along or ignored her, more interested in placating his manager and having access to a warm body at night.

  Appeasement was starting to sound like a dirty word. “I’m sorry you feel that way. But it’s probably for the best. Allison and I have a Christmas tree to decorate so we’d better get going. Maybe next time you’re in town.” He slung his arm around Allison’s shoulders and gave Laurie a polite nod.

  “Oh, I’m not leaving town just yet.” Laurie crossed her arm
s. “You and I have some business to take care of.” Ignoring Allison, she stepped close and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Pick me up tomorrow night at seven for dinner. I’m at the Crowne Plaza off the highway about ten miles north of here. Don’t be late.” Flicking her braid over her shoulder, Laurie spun on her heels and strode into the parking lot. She slid into a rental car and drove off.

  “What was that all about?” Allison wrapped her sweater over her thumb, and scrubbed his cheek with the wool. “Was she coming on to you?”

  “Maybe. Or she wants something from me. With Laurie, it’s hard to tell the difference.” He tucked her hand in his arm, and they strolled to Allison’s car.

  Allison sucked on her bottom lip.

  “What?” he asked.

  She lifted her shoulders. “Nothing. Just, the two of you look good together. She’s the kind of woman who pairs well with a hot shot.”

  “You’re saying I deserve a shrew?”

  Allison pulled open her door, and Luke pressed it back closed.

  She sighed. “I’m not saying that. And I think Laurie is a horrible choice for you. So horrible. I’m a little embarrassed that I’m dating a man who once dated that.”

  “She was convenient,” Luke said, trying to defend himself. He winced. Opening his mouth only made it worse.

  Allison ran her hands down the front of his bomber jacket. “Luke, you’re trendy and urban and think caviar is an egg dish kids will eat. You belong in Chicago or Vegas or New York.” She pulled at the drawstring to her hoodie. “And I’m Pineville. Long distance isn’t going to work for us.”

  “You don’t know that.” Pain bloomed behind Luke’s breastbone. No one could know that. Yes, they faced obstacles, but nothing was insurmountable.

  Allison stared down at her feet. “I guess we’ll see.” She climbed into the passenger seat, and closed the door.

  Another barrier between him and Allison. Feet dragging, Luke circled to the driver’s side and got in.

  They stopped at the grocery store, but Luke’s mind was only half on the ingredients he wanted to pick up. It was just about a five-hour drive between Chicago and Pineville, and an even shorter flight. They could make it work. Right?