“Anyway, don’t act like you don’t like the idea of her seeing you in action. The reservation is for seven in the evening, and it’s a table for four. I’ve also got you into the church’s carol concert at ten—figured it would be a good way of making it up to your…whatever she is.”
“Daph—”
“Please, if you won’t do it for you, do it for me. I’ve got the twin fuzzies over here. I know you’re having fun, and you sound happy, Adam. For me? And Amelia?”
Amelia smiles back at me, and I can imagine how her face will light up when I tell her about the carol concert. More than that, I’m addicted to the feeling I get when she’s that happy.
“Fine.”
“Atta boy! I’ll text you all the details, and all you’ll have to do is get yourselves an Uber.”
I scoff at that. Uber? Clearly she has no idea how secluded this place is.
“Love you, Ad.”
“You too, Daph.”
I’ve barely hung up when a snowball hits me square in the chest, followed by another straight to the head.
“Have I told you I’m from New York? Wintery, snowy New York?”
“And?” Amelia runs behind her car as I start balling up my own ammunition.
“Where did you learn to make snowballs? At the beach?”
She laughs as I round the car and throw my ball at her ass. Her laughter is so hard that when I start balling another mound of snow, she can barely throw the one already in her hand. It’s the most precious sound.
I’m about to throw my fresh snowball when she gives up trying to make any and starts throwing snow patties at me.
“That’s cheating!” Grabbing her outstretched hand, I pull her to me and throw her down onto the white blanket before dropping beside her. I listen to her hiccupping laughs as I figure out how to tell her about dinner and how to invite her.
“You’re doing that silent thing you do when something is on your mind.”
Turning my face to hers, I find her watching me with a wide grin on her face.
“That was my dad on the phone—”
“Is he okay?” she asks before I can continue.
“Yeah, he wants me to meet up with Drummond to get the contract signed before I head back to New York.”
“Oh.” The disappointment in her voice makes my chest tighten. “Of course, you should…you should be focusing on work, not—”
“Come with me? Daphne made dinner reservations, and she even got tickets for a carol concert at the town church.”
“Adam, I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I was his wife’s party planner…I-I…” Amelia looks up at the sky as though she’s avoiding making eye contact with me.
“You don’t have to come, but I would like you to. The snow has stopped and—”
“We’re leaving soon,” she finishes with sadness downturning her pretty features.
“Would you like to join me for dinner and more Christmas traditions?”
“When you bring up Christmas traditions, how can I say no?” Turning her fresh smile to me, she starts making a snow angel as she adds, “I’d love to join you.”
“You mean jingle, right?” I tease her, and just like that she’s laughing again.
That laugh that makes me want to inhale all her damn happiness until it’s vibrating inside me too. Bracing myself over her, I content my yearning by breathing in her every exhale as she blinks up at me. Before Amelia can look away, I crush my lips to hers, kissing her slowly while I savor the tang of the champagne on her tongue and the hum of her sighs.
Although I can’t give her more than this, I’m nowhere near ready for a goodbye.
8
Amelia
As the cab pulls up outside the little rural pub, my mind drifts back to our last pub date here. A smile spreads across my face, and by the way Adam’s eyes darken, I assume he knows where my thoughts have gone as I glance over the road to the telephone box. He sends me a salacious grin and lifts my hand to his mouth, placing a soft kiss on my knuckles and causing butterflies to fill my belly.
After paying the driver, Adam slides out of the car, walking around to my side and helping me out too.
“Those heels are an accident waiting to happen,” he says, taking in my Christian Louboutin diamante stilettos with a cynical shake of his head.
“These shoes are stunning and deserve to go to the ball, thank you very much!” I knew we were getting a cab, with little walking involved; wearing them to complete my ensemble was a no-brainer, especially now the snow has eased. He chuckles at my response and pulls me in for a quick kiss.
“I agree.” He winks with his grin higher to one side. “But I think they’ll look better on their own.”
“Easy, darling, it’s going to be a long evening for you,” I tease him as he pulls away, taking in his fill.
Running the top of my foot down my calf, I swallow down the sudden cold that envelops me.
Damn weather always ruining my fun!
The wind is icy, and a shiver rolls through me, but Adam notices and wraps his arm around me, pulling me close as we make our way toward the entrance.
The pub is just as cute as I remember with twinkling lights hanging in the windows and a holly wreath on the old wooden door. It would make the perfect Christmas card. Once inside Adam gives them the party name, and a young server leads us to our table by the fire. We’re the first ones here, and I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I’ve met Louis and Harriet before. I think it’s the idea of the outside world touching our little fantasy. Until now, it’s just been us. Our perfect little fairy tale. Now reality is making an appearance, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for it.
Adam, ever the gentleman, helps me out of my coat before pulling out my chair for me and taking the seat beside me. His eyes rove over my dress, an off-the-shoulder, royal blue velvet number that clings to me in all the right places.
Giving me one of his sinful smirks, he leans into me and whispers, “Apt that you’d wear blue when it’s going to be the color of my balls by the end of this evening.”
A less than ladylike snort leaves me as a waitress comes over and Adam orders a bottle of wine. The soft melody of Christmas carols plays in the background while we play footsie under the table. I’m starting to wish we’d stayed in, but I know tonight is important for him business-wise.
“If you could be a reindeer, which one would you be?” I ask as the question pops into my mind, my lack of filter evident. I can see the shock on his face before he chuckles.
“Random. Uh. Rudolph, I guess? He’s the most successful and gets the most recognition. You?”
Shaking my head at his lame choice, I say, “I think Comet. I like the idea of being a comet shooting through the night sky.”
He smiles and leans in to drop a kiss on my lips. “You have definitely lit up my night sky.” I swoon internally until he goes and ruins it by adding, “But you’d totally be Vixen.”
A loud giggle tumbles from me as I swat his chest playfully, blushing at memories of what followed our last date here.
Leaning forward to press my lips to his, Adam pulls back and stands so abruptly, I’m momentarily stunned.
“Louis. Good to see you again,” he says to the man who I missed making his entrance. His whole demeanor has changed. He’s in businessman mode now; gone is playful Adam.
“You too, Adam. You remember my wife, Harriet?” He motions to his side, and Adam nods, shaking her hand. She glances down, and recognition lights up her face.
“Amelia! What a pleasant surprise! What are you doing here?” she asks as she rounds the table and engulfs me in a hug.
“I…”
“She’s my date,” Adam announces, as everyone takes their seats.
“You’re seeing each other?”
“We are,” he confirms, and I feel myself bristle at the lie falling so easily from his lips.
“Oh what a small world! Louis, you remember A
melia? She organized my Christmas party,” Harriet tells her husband, who nods politely and offers me his hand.
After we’ve taken our seats and ordered our meals, Adam and Louis dive into business talk. Harriet and I might as well not be here. Adam in business mode is something else. Gone is the cheesy joke-telling, dirty-talking ice-skater, and in his place is a driven, passionate businessman trying to close a deal. His eyes don’t stray from Drummond, and he makes no move to touch me. Harriet must sense my thoughts as she reaches for my hand across the table.
“It doesn’t get any better,” she laughs, and I look at her in confusion.
“What’s that?”
“This. Becoming a third wheel to the business. It’s a good job you have your own—that’s what saved our marriage. The fact that I had my own venture to focus on. Otherwise he would have driven me round the bend!” She laughs and looks over at her husband with so much affection, my heart squeezes. At least I know Adam wasn’t just trying to take me for a fool. He really is married to his job; relationships aren’t something he has time for.
“How long have you been married?” I ask, trying to change the subject. Taking a sip of the crisp wine, I savor the taste as it hits my tongue.
“Thirty-six years,” she says with pride in her voice, and I smile.
“Oh wow. Congratulations.”
“Enough about me! Tell me about your wonderful business? That party you planned for me is still the talk of the town. I may have some other events for you, if you’re interested?”
“I’d love that. Thank you.”
“A few of my guests are still asking me about you!”
I never know how to reply to comments like these. I don’t want to be forward and tell her to send them my way, and I don’t want to seem ungrateful. It’s a catch-22 that clearly Adam doesn’t have as I listen in on his conversation. It’s sort of impressive and intimidating the way he lays it all out—you wouldn’t think that he is the one looking for Louis’s investment.
“It was a fun party to plan and be at,” I tell Harriet.
“Exactly, which is why I’ve raved to anyone that’s approached me about you. Anyway, I want to hear more about your company. Tell me everything!”
“Well,” I start, feeling as though this is a sort of job interview or something. “When I got the chance to come over from LA to study business at LSE, I didn’t think twice. London has always been one of my favorite places, and to be accepted into one of the top business schools in the world…the opportunity was too good to pass up. Then I met Kate, and we clicked. She’s basically the English version of me.” I chuckle at the thought of my best friend and continue telling Harriet about the birth of the business while she listens attentively. “Sweet Vine Co. is everything we dreamed and more, and we haven’t looked back since day one.” I smile thinking back to some of the amazing events Kate and I have set up.
We’re so lucky to do a job that we love. Maybe it’s the same for Adam. Maybe this is his passion. Perhaps he’s right—he’s too focused on his work to have anything else meaningful in his life. It hurts to think that everything but his career is disposable to him. That I’m a convenience he reached for when he had nothing else to focus his energy on…
Harriet pats my hand excitedly, drawing me out of my thoughts. I’m pretty certain I’ve missed some of our conversation, but she doesn’t make a big deal of it. Instead, she holds out both our wineglasses toward her husband and carries on talking to me while he follows through on her silent request.
“I’m launching a new cosmetics line in the new year, and I would love for you girls to come on board again and help with the PR event.”
“We’d be honored,” I say, before we’re interrupted by our meals being brought out.
I look over to Adam, trying to catch his eye, but he’s listening intently to something Louis is saying. Focusing on my food with a sigh, I push some of the vegetables around the jus with my fork.
“At least you’re not like the fiancée,” she murmurs, nudging my arm lightly before forking some of her food daintily into her mouth.
Ice races through my veins, chilling every cell of my being and congealing the air in my lungs.
What? I look over at Adam, grasping my napkin tightly in my hand.
“Or should I say, ex-fiancée… Last time we went to dinner in New York, she was like a needy puppy, constantly looking for attention,” she whispers, leaning closer. “Good riddance, I say. I told Louis it wouldn’t last. It was obvious she couldn’t handle taking a back seat. Christie was far too self-important and self-obsessed.”
Taking another forkful of her dinner, Harriet smiles at me, and when I look to my other side, Adam winks at me. For the first time since the Drummonds arrived, I wish he was focused on his conversation with Louis.
“He never looked at her like that, that’s for sure,” Harriet chuckles, indicating for Louis to refill our glasses, before she adds, “You are wonderful together. I can see that you’re going to be very happy together.”
This night has definitely taken a turn. First he lied about us to them, then acted like I didn’t exist, and now, I find out that he was engaged. The weird thing is that I’m fully aware it shouldn’t bother me, but it goes to show just how little we know of each other, even if it doesn’t feel like it. And besides, I’m nothing if not used to being a spare piece kept at the periphery of things. It’s how Seb and I were treated growing up by our parents. But after the week Adam and I shared…I guess I felt like more to him. Stupidly, because clearly, I was wrong. If I meant more, he would’ve told me about his ex rather than inviting me to dinner only to find out from his client’s wife—my client—that I’m better company than his previous arm candy.
Excusing myself to use the ladies’ room, I take my time and reapply my lipstick in the mirror. Checking my phone, I see a text from Seb.
Seb: Weather’s meant to be easing up. Flights will be rescheduled soon! Our annual Die Hard marathon is saved!
A soft chuckle makes its way from me, and I text him back before looking down at my sparkly heels and rolling my eyes at myself. Here I am wearing Cinderella’s shoes hoping Prince Charming will sweep me off my feet, when in reality, this isn’t ever going to be a fairy tale. It’s nothing but heartbreak waiting to happen.
Checking my reflection, I sigh and make my way back to our table.
9
Adam
Drummond’s wife lingers after he’s shaken my hand and headed out of the pub. With the contract digitally signed, it’s a done deal, and I know that Dad’s aware of it from the way my phone is going nuts in my pocket.
“Well.” She smiles, ignoring my proffered hand and rising onto her tiptoes to whisper, “I believe you might have some making up to do after all that business talk.”
Instantly, my eyes flit to where Amelia is standing on the opposite side of the table. The forced smile is enough to tell me Harriet isn’t wrong.
“It was lovely seeing you again, Adam. I’m sure we’ll be on a plane to New York soon enough.” She winks at me before turning to Amelia. “And hopefully, we’ll see you too, Amelia. I’ll have to set up a little meet to discuss all the exciting events I’ll be needing your help with in the new year.”
“Of course, you already have my number and email.” Amelia tucks one side of her wavy hair behind her ear as she replies. She’s not uncomfortable, but there’s something that’s off about the way she doesn’t move closer like I know she normally would.
“And the husband has a direct line to Adam here, so you are entirely stuck with me.”
Amelia’s laugh sounds choppy between gritted teeth. Drummond saves the situation from getting any more awkward by calling Harriet again. Once they’re gone, I take Harriet’s chair beside Amelia while she taps away on her cell phone, pouring what’s left of the wine into her glass while taking a sip of my scotch digestif.
“The carol concert starts soon. Did you want to head over there now or have another drink…” Witho
ut a reply, she slips her phone into the small purse that matches her dress and has some scattered crystals like her heels.
“Amelia.” I try to get her attention by putting my arm around the back of her chair and giving her all of mine now that it’s just us.
Flitting her narrowed gaze between where my arm rests and my eyes, she swirls her drink around her glass.
“What would you like to do, sweetheart?”
“I…I want to go home. To the cottage, I mean.”
“But the carols…you were looking forward to the concert.”
“It’s been a long day. A long week, actually, and I’m tired.”
“Ame—”
“It’s all finally caught up with me.”
It’s obvious she’s lying. I’ve seen her look tired and still smile. She’s been tired and begged me to fuck the life out of her. Not to mention that being tired hasn’t stopped her from going nuts with all the Christmas shit. Still, I won’t argue with her right now. That’s not what I want tonight to be about. If she wants to go back to the cottage, I’ll take her home and I’ll put her to bed. But I won’t taint the time we’ve had together with a meaningless argument.
Signaling the waitress over, I take care of the check and ask her to get us a cab. Before we know it, we’re standing out in the snow, watching people pile into the small church. And I can see that she’s disappointed not to be doing the same.
Our cab stops in front of us, and while I open the door for her, I hold it so that she can get in without twisting an ankle on her fuck-me heels. She has no idea how off my game I was tonight, thanks to her presence. Always fucking tugging at me. It was harder keeping my eyes off her than it was closing Drummond. She has no idea what she does to me. How she turns me inside out with only her smile. She doesn’t get it. How she’s twisted me up with her touches and kisses and her fucking spirit.
If it wasn’t for her hesitation at getting in, I wouldn’t think twice about getting in the cab and taking her home. But she’s barely taken a step when I tell the driver, “I’m sorry, there’s been a change of plan.”
Love 2 Jingle U: A Sweet Vine Christmas Romance Page 9