Mistletoe Bachelors

by Snow, Jennifer

  “They must be the photos he took of the bachelors.” Madison told the girls. She flipped through the stack, and her mouth fell open. They were all of her making snow angels with the Thompson girls, modeling Gucci, skiing in Whistler and dressed as Mrs. Cratchet in Tuscumbia.

  “I don’t see any bachelors in those pictures.” Samantha peered over her shoulder.

  “Wow, Madison those photos are amazing. Did he take any of anyone else?’ Sophie leaned on the desk to have a better view.

  Madison gulped and forced a deep breath.

  “You have to go see him. He loves you, despite what you think.” Samantha wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

  Madison placed the photos back into the envelope. Tears stung the back of her eyes and threatened to fall. “But I’m getting on a plane in four hours.” She wanted nothing more than to go see Cole, especially now that she had wonderful news to share with him. He would be excited for her and proud she’d stood up for herself with Damien, but she didn’t know how to face him after everything that happened between them.

  “And you still can, but you can’t leave without at least talking to him.” Samantha reasoned.

  Madison hesitated. Would he want to see her? She hadn’t heard from him in two days. The silence and lack of communication was killing her, and she missed him. She took a deep breath. “You’re right.” She nodded. She had to see him. She couldn’t leave without knowing where they stood. She prayed he did still love her.

  “Here, why don’t you wear my new scarf and glove set.” Samantha handed Madison a dark blue scarf and mittens. Tiny white snowflakes covered the soft fabric.

  A month ago, Madison would have refused to wear anything reminding her of Christmas, but now she liked the idea.

  “Thanks Sam.” She hugged her friend. “Wish me luck.” She gathered her things.

  “You don’t need it. He loves you.” Samantha smiled.

  “I hope you’re right.” Madison didn’t wait for the elevator. She ran downstairs and pushed through the revolving door of the building. “Taxi!”

  * * * * Cole sorted through his camera lenses on his workstation . Where was the 105 mm lens? He picked up his camera case and opened it. He rummaged inside and pulled out two different lenses. Neither was the missing lens. He rubbed his scruffy chin. He needed a shave. Some sleep wouldn’t be bad either. He’d barely slept in the two days since seeing Madison. An image of her in Kurt Davidson’s arms reappeared behind his closed lids whenever he tried to sleep. What had happened after he’d left the party? Had Kurt talked his way back into her good graces? It didn’t make sense. He rubbed his temple. His head hurt. Why had he agreed to do this photo shoot today? Work was the furthest thing from his mind.

  The young Miss Teen Manhattan 2011 sat on his sofa, giggling into her cell phone. She couldn’t be more than sixteen and already her modeling career was booming. She shut her cell phone and stood. “Are we ready to start? My boyfriend will be here to pick me up in an hour.” She looked at the clock on the wall.

  “Yeah, I’m just looking for a different lens.” Cole scanned the studio. Where the hell had he put that lens? “I can’t remember where I laid it.” He placed his hands on his hips and frowned.

  The young girl reached forward and pointed to the lens on the camera. “Is that it?”

  Cole rolled his eyes. Teenagers. Thought they knew everything. He wasn’t that absent minded. He would have remembered setting up the—the 105 mm lens sat on the front of the camera. He cleared his throat. “That one will have to do.”

  He positioned the backdrop and lights, and the young girl moved through the first set of photos. Taking pictures helped to ease his mind, and for the first time in days he was able to think about something else other than Madison. He snapped shot after shot until his cell phone rang. Madison? He lunged for the ringing phone on his end table. Erik Johnson’s cell number blinked on the screen. He’d left the Gucci executive a voicemail message that morning. He was desperate to take him up on his offer. He couldn’t imagine taking any more jobs at Women’s World. Not now. Seeing Madison and not being able to hold her, or kiss her would be torture. More torture than not seeing her at all. He was grateful for this other opportunity. It would mean a lot of traveling, but there was nothing keeping him in one place. The thought depressed him. “I have to take this.” He waved the phone in the air.

  “No problem.” The young girl didn’t look up from the text message she typed on her iPhone.

  Cole closed the screen doors to the studio and answered his ringing cell phone. “Erik, hi.”

  “Cole, I was pleased to receive your message this morning.”

  “I was hoping you were serious about offering me a job.” Work would be his only escape. In two days he hadn’t heard from Madison, and he was losing hope.

  “Of course. I have a meeting with the other executives set up for this afternoon before we all take off for the holidays. I know it’s short notice, but would three o’clock work for you at our downtown office?”

  Cole glanced at the clock. Almost eleven. He caught a glimpse of his dishevelled appearance in his toaster. “Sure, no problem.” He’d have to hustle. He heard the doorbell ring. Must be the girl’s boyfriend.

  “The address is…”

  Cole grabbed a piece of paper and jotted down the information Erik gave him. “Great. See you soon.”

  * * * * Two hours later, Madison sat in a taxi outside of Cole’s studio loft in Manhattan. A quick call to his home on Staten Island had revealed he was spending the holidays at his studio. She couldn’t help but wonder if he was trying to avoid seeing her, by escaping from the island the way she’d planned. Her courage waned. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

  “Hey lady, are you getting out?” The taxi driver glanced at her through the rear view mirror. Madison hesitated. “Um—yeah. Please wait for me for a few moments.” Madison told the driver. “I won’t be long, but if I am gone for more than ten minutes, you can leave.” Madison didn’t expect Cole to be happy to see her, but she had to try. He had sent her the photos after all. Did she dare hope the action meant something?

  She rang the doorbell and waited. Footsteps approached the door, and her pulse raced. The last few days without him had been torture. She’d come to realize how much he meant to her. She missed him like crazy. Loved him like crazy.

  “Can I help you?” A female voice asked. Madison looked up to see a beautiful, tall, blonde girl, looking phenomenal in a pair of jeans and tank top. The same girl Madison had seen Cole talking to on the plane to Whistler, a few weeks before. She had a thick Australian accent.

  “I was looking for Cole.” Madison felt foolish. Why was she here? He made it clear how he felt that night of the Christmas party when he’d left her with Kurt. Now he was here spending the Christmas season with another woman, and it appeared she was interrupting something. The smooth sounds of Bob Marley’s Stir it up came from inside the apartment. There were two reasons she could think of people listened to Bob Marley, and she didn’t think there was a peace rally going on inside the studio.

  “He is in the other room, a little busy at the moment. Do you want to come in and wait?” The girl frowned.

  “Um—no, that’s okay. I have to go, but could you let him know Madison stopped by to say,

  Merry Christmas. We worked together, that’s all.” The words were a lie. They’d become so much more. While she’d been desperate to keep their relationship a professional one, he had

  worked his way past her resolve and had found his way into her heart.

  “Will do. Is that all?” She placed her hands on her slender hips and shivered from the cold

  breeze blowing through the front door.

  Madison stared at Cole’s beautiful houseguest and sighed. Cole was surrounded by

  attractive, young models whose attention he didn’t have to compete for. She doubted he’d given

  her a second thought these past few days. “Yes, that’s all.” Madison force
d a smile. She climbed back in the taxi. “Airport, please.” She swallowed the lump in her throat and

  wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. Emotionally exhausted she slumped against the seat.

  Why had she fought so hard to keep him away, only to let him hurt her in the end? This was her

  own fault. Men like Cole could date any woman they wanted. Why hadn’t she listened to her

  instincts?

  She stared out the window of the taxi, lost in her own depressing thoughts as they drove

  through the crowded streets of New York. The shops were full of people doing their last minute

  Christmas shopping, hurrying down the sidewalk in the heavy snowfall. The big, white flakes

  reminded her of the snow in Whistler as they collected on the ground. She almost didn’t hear her

  cell phone ring in her purse. She answered the unknown number on the last ring. “Hello.” “Madison Grey?” A female voice asked.

  “Yes, this is Madison.”

  “Hi, Madison. I’m Isabelle Morano, from M and M Publishing. The editor assigned to your

  manuscript. We wanted to touch base with you to make sure you were still interested in having

  your book published with us, as we hadn’t heard from you.”

  Was she still interested? Were they kidding? “Oh yes, of course. I was out of town for work

  and received your letter today. It couldn’t have come at a better time.”

  “Great. Well, we don’t usually work over the holidays, but I thought if I could send you the

  notes I’ve already made on certain chapters of the book, that you might have some time to do

  revisions. I don’t want to intrude on any holiday plans.” Isabelle said.

  “No, I have no plans at all.” Her parents would understand. “I’d be happy to work on the

  book.” It was an understatement. She’d been waiting a long time for this opportunity. Excitement

  eased some of the anguish she felt. The book had been a work in progress for years. Completing

  it had been a huge accomplishment. She couldn’t wait to see it in print.

  “Perfect. I’ll have the notes sent to you this afternoon by courier.” Isabelle said. “And

  Madison, welcome to the Malcolm and McMullan Publishing family.”

  “Thank you.” She disconnected the call and paid the driver an extra twenty to turn around,

  and take her back to the ferry. Once again she would be spending the season alone in her

  apartment. At least she’d have the revisions to keep her mind occupied.

  They turned the corner onto Main Street, and a familiar sign caught her eye. “Hey, could

  you stop there first.” She pointed to the bakery on the corner.

  The driver huffed and grumbled, but did as she asked.

  French Kiss Cookies was one of the most popular bakeries in Manhattan, and they were

  famous for their comfort treats. If there was ever a time she needed them, it was now. Nothing

  could get her through the season like double fudge chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies. She

  might gain a few pounds, but who cares? She wasn’t planning to leave her house for a while

  anyway.

  She tapped her foot as she waited in the long line up to pay for her three-dozen cookies. The

  smell of the still warm chocolate and oatmeal was too tempting to resist. She opened the bag and

  pulled out a cookie. Chocolate melted on her hand, and she licked it clean. Mmm… “Madison?” A deep voice said behind her in line.

  Turning, she recognized the Gucci executive she’d met at the fashion shoot two weeks

  before in Central Park. She swallowed the lump of cookie. “Hi, Erik.”

  He glanced at the bag of cookies she held and grinned.

  She blushed and shrugged. “I’m expecting a lot of company over the holidays.” Erik winked. “Don’t worry. I eat at least a dozen of those cookies a week. It’s impossible to

  walk past on the way to the office each morning without stopping in.” He laughed. “Enjoying

  your new shoes?”

  Madison smiled and nodded. No sense telling him she wouldn’t be getting a chance to wear

  them for a while. She no longer needed to dress up to go to the office, nor did she have a social

  life where she could show them off. Maybe she could wear them around her house as she ate her

  three dozen chocolate and oatmeal cookies. An image of her in the three hundred dollar stilettos

  with a chocolate mustache dancing across her living room flashed in her mind, and she

  shuddered. Reserving a private study room in the Staten Island library might be a better place to

  work on the manuscript.

  “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?” Erik was asking. Madison gave him a blank look. Had she missed something while daydreaming about her

  shoes and cookies? “I’m sorry. Know anything about what?”

  “Cole rushing out of our meeting with the other executives this afternoon. He came by to

  discuss his new contract with us for the spring. His cell phone vibrated a few times, and next

  thing he mumbled something about a woman he had to see, and he left. I don’t know…” Erik

  shook his head, disappointed. “Anyway, you haven’t seen him, have you?” He approached the

  counter. He took her bag of cookies and added it to his bill.

  “Uh, thank you. And no, I haven’t seen him.” Madison struggled to hide her own

  disappointment. He had mentioned a woman? Her heart hit the floor. He was over her already.

  Not only did he have a beautiful woman in his apartment, but he was rushing off to meet another

  one? This didn’t sound like the Cole she’d come to know and love. Her disappointment turned to

  anger. How could he walk out of his meeting with the Gucci executives? This would have been a

  huge opportunity for him. A chance of a lifetime to achieve the recognition he deserved as a

  photographer. His photos would appear in magazines all over the world. He would realize his

  dream of traveling as a photographer, and a signed contract would guarantee steady work. She

  clutched her paper bag and frowned.

  “If you talk to him, please let him know I pulled some strings to smooth things over with the

  other executives, and we are still interested in working with him. Tell him to call me.” He

  handed Madison a business card.

  “I will.” Madison tucked the card into her wallet though she doubted she’d be seeing Cole

  anytime soon.

  “Thanks. Have a wonderful Christmas. Don’t eat all of those cookies yourself. We may need

  you to model again sometime.” Erik winked and waved as he left the bakery.

  * * * * Madison closed the taxi door and handed the driver his fare through his open window. “Merry Christmas.”

  The driver waved, his mouth full of chocolate oatmeal cookie as he drove away.

  “You’re back?” Her landlord, Frank was perched high on a ladder changing the burnt out bulbs in a string of colored lights hanging from the bare maple tree on the front yard. “I thought you would be halfway to California by now.” He tossed an old bulb toward the trash can beside the building. It missed and landed in a snow pile.

  “Change of plans.” Madison bent to pick up the bulb and tossed it into the can. “I decided to stay home to work on my book.” She smiled. Now that her manuscript had been accepted, she wanted to tell the whole world. For now, she had to start with Frank.

  “You’re writing a book?” He raised his eyebrows.

  “Yes.” Madison dragged her heavy suitcase up the slippery driveway. The snow fell in swirls around them, and the air was chilling as the sun set. Maybe she should have gone to California.

  Frank shimmied down the ladder. �
�Here, let me help you.” On the middle rung of the old ladder he lost his footing and crashed to the icy ground at her feet.

  “Frank! Are you okay?” Madison rushed to help him stand, trying not to lose her own footing on the slippery walkway.

  “Yeah, yeah. I’m fine.” He blushed as he dusted snow from his jacket. “Just a little dizzy.” He sat on the front steps of the apartment building.

  “Okay, sit here and relax.” Madison laid a hand on his shoulder, steadying him as he swayed.

  “Oh, before I forget, there was a guy here looking for you about twenty minutes ago.” He blinked struggling to focus, and he rubbed the back of his head.

  A guy? The courier with the manuscript? “Was it a delivery?”

  Frank frowned and thought for a moment. He shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. At least, he didn’t leave any packages or anything.”

  Madison bit her lip. “Do you remember his name? Was it Cole?” Did she dare to hope she’d been the woman he had been referring to?

  “No, I don’t think so, but then again, maybe. Wow, my head hurts.” Frank’s eyes closed, and his head drooped against his chest.

  She’d have to be satisfied with that answer. Frank looked ready to pass out. If he did, there was no way she could carry him inside. “Let’s get you inside.” She helped Frank to his feet and ushered him inside the building and into his apartment, where he promised to call her if he needed anything or happened to remember the name of her visitor.

  Inside her apartment, Madison dialed her parent’s number in California. She hoped they wouldn’t be too disappointed by her sudden change of plans, especially since she’d only accepted their invitation a few days before.

  Her mother answered after the third ring, sounding out of breath. “Madison? Where are you? Your father and I were just leaving to go pick you up at the airport. Is something wrong?”

  “No, everything’s fine. Unfortunately, I have to change my plans again. I won’t be able to come for Christmas because…” Excitement crept into her voice.

  “You’ve met a man, haven’t you?” Her mother interrupted. “I knew it.” She sounded thrilled.

  Madison hesitated and sighed. What could she say? She had in fact met a man, a wonderful man, but she didn’t think it was a story to tell her mother right now. Things hadn’t worked out between her and Cole. Right now she just wanted to share good news.