Chapter 10
Collin dialed Charlie’s number before he shook the dust from his father’s house off his feet.
“Collin, I’m so glad you called. I never see you anymore, even at school.” Even over the cell phone he could tell she was genuinely excited to talk to him, and the stark contrast from his own father’s subtle usury was like a twisting knife in his back. “The kids miss you so much. You’ve got to find some time to come for dinner again. You still eat, don’t you?”
“I promise I’ll come. I miss you guys, too.”
“Do you need something? Help with one of your classes? Or is this about your mother making a big stink?”
Cement hardened inside his stomach. “You heard about that?”
After a few seconds hesitation, she replied, “I’m sure it will blow over soon. Someone in Hollywood will get married for the ump-teenth time, and people will forget all about the Sterlings.”
“I desperately hope you’re right. But that’s not why I called. I have a favor to ask, and it’s a big one. At least it’s leading up to a big one.”
“You know I’d do anything for you, and so would Josh. Are you short on cash?”
“No. Well, yes, in a way...”
“How much do you need?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe a half million or so.”
He heard a gasp. “What? Are you in some kind of trouble? Is it a gambling debt?”
He chuckled. “I wish it was that easy—I’d just let them break both my legs.”
“What on earth is going on?”
“You remember when I told you about Martha?”
“The sweet lady at the shelter?”
“That’s the one. She has acute kidney failure.”
“Oh no! That’s why you need the money?”
“Right. She really needs a kidney transplant. Even with Medicare, it will cost a fortune for copays and dialysis until she gets the transplant. Plus, she’ll need to find a better place to live when it’s all over, so it’s going to cost a bundle.”
“You don’t want to go crawling back to your father.” It was a statement, not a question.
“I already did that—bending and scraping all the skin off my knees in supplication.”
“You must care a lot about Martha to do that. I take it he turned you down?”
“Too many strings attached.”
“I see. Why don’t you ask my step-dad? You know Steven can afford it, and Gherring, Inc. practically funded the entirety of Mercy General Hospital.”
“That’s why I called. Thought you might ask him to meet with me. Maybe put in a good word.”
“I don’t mind talking to him, but why not call him yourself? He’s your cousin.”
“First cousin, once removed, to be precise. But, Steven doesn’t like me much. Never has.”
“I think you’re wrong about that, Collin, but I’ll let you discern for yourself. When do you want to meet with him?”
“As soon as possible. I’d say tonight, but I’m working.”
“You’re tutoring? On a Saturday night? Thought that was only on weekdays.”
“This is another part-time gig. I’m filling in for my roommate on a secret job-thing while he’s out of town.”
“Really?” She coated the word with suspicion. “What kind of secret job-thing? Is it legal? You’re not doing something crazy for money, are you? Like carrying a briefcase full of drugs across town and leaving it in a locker?”
“Charlie,” he scolded. “Have you been watching New York Crime Lab again?”
After a moment of guilt-laden silence, she answered, “Mayyyy-be.”
He chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’m not involved in underworld crime. I’ll tell you, but you have to keep it under your hat. You can’t tell a soul, okay?”
“Tell me, already!” Her voice sparkled with excitement.
He swallowed a groan, already dreading the long evening ahead. “I’m playing Santa Claus at a department store.”
“Are you kidding me? You’re perfect for that. I’ve always said you should be an actor. Plus, you’re good with kids.”
“I’m good with your kids, because your kids are amazing. Other people’s kids are horrible. Last time, one peed on my leg.”
More chuckles were quickly followed by a loud clatter and even more laughter. “Sorry about that,” said Charlie, panting for air. “I laughed so hard I dropped my phone.”
“It’s hot as you-know-what in that costume, and the kids scream and cry.”
Laughter bubbled over the phone. “Stop! You’re killing me!”
“It’s totally miserable, but I’m helping out my roommate. Don’t have a choice.”
“You’ve got to tell me where you are, so I can bring the kids.”
“No way! In fact, this company makes you sign a contract to keep your identity secret. If anyone found out I was subbing for Blake, he’d lose his job.”
“Awww! You’ve got such a soft heart, Collin.”
“My life would be so much easier if I didn’t.”
“Well, that tender heart is why you care so much about Martha that you’ll do anything to get her the medical care she needs. Steven’s got the same soft heart, and that’s why I think he’ll help you.”
“Hope you’re right.” He glanced at the time on his phone. He couldn’t put off the inevitable any longer. “Better go get ready. Time to dress up as a red-velvet human receptacle for screaming children and their spit, spit-up, and other random bodily fluids.”
* * *
Olivia keptone eye on the far side of the department store, where a fat guy with a white beard entertained a never-ending line of children and parents. Meanwhile she sorted rumpled piles of angora sweaters littering the table. Nervous about her impending kiss, she folded one silky garment after another in robotic fashion, not noticing Cassie’s approach until her voice rang in her ear.
“Those snotty chicks made this mess on purpose, you know.” Cassie retrieved a pastel pink sweater from the floor. “The skinny blonde stared right at me while she raked her hand around the table and stirred everything up like cake batter. I almost knocked her shiny white teeth into the back of her head.”
“Remind me never to make you mad.” From the corner of her eyes, she saw Santa stand up, and she tensed, ready to make a dash to intercept him if he climbed down from the platform. She had to catch him when he took a break, but she didn’t want Cassie involved. Olivia wasn’t sure she actually had the nerve to kiss Blake while he was wearing the Santa mask, but she certainly couldn’t do it with an audience.
“What’s so interesting over there?” Cassie followed the line of her gaze. “Watching Blake? You two dating?”
So much for keeping Cassie out of the loop. “Kind of, I guess.”
“I totally get credit for that match. You should pay me instead of that stupid dating website your sister put you on.”
“I don’t really think it’s going to turn into a long-term relationship.”
“Girl, you put entirely too much thought into dating. You only met the guy a week ago and you’re already worrying about marriage? That’s the kind of thing that sends guys running. No wonder you don’t have a boyfriend.”
“I used to be a lot more carefree about dating, and about life in general. It’s only since I started med school that I’ve gotten so serious about everything.”
“That’s what you need.”
“What do I need?”
“You need a guy who will make you laugh—keep you from being so serious all the time.”
Collin’s teasing green eyes danced, uninvited, into her mind. “You could be right,” she mused.
“From that silly smile on your face, I’m guessing you like Blake more than you’re admitting.”
“No, I was thinking about...” She gulped, not wanting to reveal too much. “I was thinking about an old acquaintance—someone who jokes around a lot.”
“Whatever you say.” Cassie started on another pile of rumpled sweaters. “I swear, I’m going to kill those girls if they walk back through here.”
Olivia noticed Blake ambling toward the back of the store. His gaze met hers for an instant before he looked away, and she found herself wiping her suddenly sweaty palms on her jeans. Could she really do it? Could she kiss him while he was wearing the full Santa regalia? At the moment, the idea seemed repulsive. I don’t have to kiss him to find out if it’s the Santa suit I’m attracted to. If I talk to him alone, I’ll know one way or the other. After all, last night I wasn’t particularly stirred when I saw Blake in costume. Could be a fluky thing the first night when he seemed so mysterious. “I think I’ll take my break now.”
“Okay, I’ll come with you. Let me tell Jennifer.”
“I should go by myself.” She hurried to cut Cassie off. “We don’t want to leave Jennifer without any help in case she gets a sudden onslaught of customers wanting to check out.”
Cassie crossed her arms, looking around the designer women’s clothes section of the store, empty but for a single girl browsing the fifty-percent-off rack. She turned narrowed eyes to Olivia. “Angling for some alone time with Blake, huh? Thought you said this relationship wasn’t going anywhere.”
“Gotta go. We’ll talk later.” The last thing she needed was for Cassie to notice her blushing, so she averted her face as she scurried toward the break room.
“I want a full report,” Cassie called after her.
By the time Olivia reached the break room, she’d convinced herself the experimental Santa-kiss was unnecessary. She would simply have a private conversation and evaluate her reaction to Blake, comparing it to her responses the previous night when they shared hot cocoa together without the Santa suit. Confident, she opened the door and swept into the room.
“Bl—” She choked, barely stopping herself from blurting out his name. Seated at the table with his back to her, Blake had his head bent in close conversation with another employee—a girl she recognized from the toy department. Petite and shapely, with a perfect dusky complexion set off by dark curls, the girl was every guy’s dream.
A ridiculous pang of jealousy flashed, but Olivia tamped it down. She and Blake certainly had no commitments that would prevent him from speaking to another woman. After all, Olivia was still going out with guys from Grace’s dating website, so she had no room to complain. She was actually looking forward to her blind date next weekend with Grace’s newest pick. In reading some of his conversations with her sister, Olivia had judged him quick and witty, much like Collin except for his blue-collar background.
Perhaps catching Blake with another woman was a sign she should break off her fledgling relationship with Santa Blake.
The girl looked up, lifting a single perfectly-arched brow as she placed a possessive hand on Blake’s arm. “Oh, we have company.”
Blake twisted around, leaping to his feet when he saw her. He looked guilty, despite the distinct lack of visible facial features to show it. “Olivia,” he rasped, his throat evidently still hoarse from yelling at the game.
“Don’t let me interrupt,” Olivia said smoothly as she glided to the Coke machine, gratified to find herself in perfect control of her emotions, all traces of her momentary jealousy having vanished. “Going to grab a water, and I’ll be out of your hair.”
“Blake, why are you whispering?” asked the girl, blinking wide eyes. “No one out there can hear us.”
“Sore throat,” Blake explained. “Laryngitis.”
“But—” the girl began.
“It comes and goes,” he added, and extended a hand toward Olivia. “Come, sit down. Ella was just saying her break was almost over.”
Ella’s lip stuck out. “I’m not in a huge hurry. Hillary might not notice how long I’ve been gone.”
“Hillary?” asked Olivia. “Don’t the other sales managers call her Broom Hilda, the witch?”
Ella aimed a worried glance at the clock on the wall. “Yeah, I’m already late. I’d better go.” She brushed against Blake on her way to the door. “I get off work at ten, if you want to go get a drink somewhere.”
She dashed out the door without waiting for an answer, and Blake held up his palms as if proclaiming his innocence.
“She was already here when I took my break, and we were only talking. I promise.”
As the events of the previous night ran through her mind, she realized Blake would never be her kind of guy. Last night, he’d kissed her, and tonight he was flirting with another woman. He’d been in such a hurry to meet his friends at the club last night, he didn’t even follow her home on the subway. Granted, it had been an impromptu date, but she knew Collin would never have left her to travel home alone at night.
The fact Collin had invaded her thoughts again made her irrationally angry. He’s ruined me for other men, and now he doesn’t even want me anymore. Whatever the case, she no longer had any desire to perform the Santa-kiss test on Blake.
“No worries.” Olivia held up her bottle of water and gave it a shake. “I got what I came for. I’ll get out of your hair.”
“Wait!”
* * *
Collin knew that look—thetight smile, the clenching jaw, the flaring nostrils. Olivia was mad. And if she left there mad, Blake would likely never have another chance with her. She would be left to the designs of her crazy sister and an endless parade of sex-crazed men from the Internet dating site. He had to think fast, to say something to make her stay.
Her hand was already on the door handle when he called for her to wait. She stopped, but didn’t even bother to look at him. “What do you want?” Terse. Impatient.
“Why are you in such a hurry. Are you afraid of me?”
She spun around so fast she should’ve been dizzy. “I’m not afraid of you. Why would I be afraid of a jolly old fat man in a tacky velvet outfit?”
So far, so good. He’d kept her from escaping. Now he needed to poke a little bit—to make her banter with him—but not so much that she stormed off in a fit.
“I think you’re using my costume as an excuse to keep distance between us. Maybe you think I’ll try to kiss you, and you won’t be able to handle it.”
She took two steps toward him, fingers tightening around the water bottle until her knuckles turned white. “Ha! I hate to tell you, but, as kisses go, I’ve had much better.”
What? Blake must have kissed her when he took her home on the subway last night. They hadn’t spoken before Blake left town for his dad’s birthday party. It was probably for the best, since Collin would’ve socked him in the mouth for kissing her so soon.
“I was holding back last night,” he improvised, hoping to keep her sparring with him. “I didn’t want to send you into sensory overload.” He edged closer, almost within reach, tugging his gloves off and stuffing them in his pockets.
“Do you even hear yourself?” Her chin lifted. Her cheeks flamed with outrage. “Sensory overload? Are you kidding me?”
Another step and he was within target range. He reached out his left hand, fingers trailing down her cheek on the way to her neck, caressing that sensitive spot where her blood pulsed, under the edge of her jaw. Bingo! He saw her shudder as her eyes blinked closed for a few seconds, opening in a glaze as if she were waking from a long nap. He slid his hand behind her head and buried it in her hair, pulling her closer still.
“I’m not kidding, Olivia.” He whispered the words into the hair over her ear, his breath sending a visible quiver down her spine.
“Oh,” she whispered back as her body relaxed against him. Well…against the padded version of him.
His hands shook as he battled the desire to kiss her senseless. But with the Santa beard and mustache, her response would likely be to itch like crazy. He had to work his magic with words instead. With her cheeks cupped in his hands, he tilted her face toward his. When her eyes opened, he snared her gaze.
“Olivia, I promise I wasn’t flirting with Ella. Why would I want to be with anyone else? No one is like you. You’re all I want.” As he spoke those true words, knowing Blake would get the credit, his heart ripped from his chest. He was glad he was whispering, or his voice would’ve cracked with emotion. “Do you know why?”
Her head rested on his foam-enhanced chest as her arms stretched around his girth. “Is it because my inner beauty makes you want to hold me for the rest of my life?”
A bomb exploded in Collin’s head, and it was several seconds before he could form a coherent sentence. “I…no... Did I say that to you?”
She looked up through thick lashes, a deep wrinkle between her eyes. “You did. Last night. How could you forget?”
He clenched his teeth and attempted to slow his breathing. Though he ought to be glad Blake had used his description to win Olivia’s affections, he had an intense desire to sever his roommate’s head from his shoulders.
Olivia twisted in his arms. “You’re squeezing me too tight.”
He released her, but she remained close, staring down at her feet.
“It’s all this padding. I can’t tell if my grip is too tight.”
“That’s okay.” She folded her arms, hugging her shoulders. “This is super weird. I’ve got to be psycho to get physical with Santa Claus. I’m a freak, aren’t I?”
He smiled, though she probably couldn’t see it for the beard. “Not any more than usual.”
“Thanks a lot.” Her fist landed on his shoulder with a soft thud.
“Such violence—I’m afraid you landed on the naughty list.”
A grin fought its way onto her face, but vanished as quickly as it came. She tilted her head. “Your voice hasn’t gotten any better than last night. In fact, I think it’s worse. Are you sure you don’t have bronchitis or something?”
“I’m positive I’m not sick. It’s laryngitis. Why? Are you worried about me? Or are you worried I made you sick when I kissed you goodnight?”
She pulled her plump bottom lip between her teeth, a sight that had him sighing with the desire to taste her lips.
“Actually,” she murmured, her eyes averted. “I was kind of thinking about when you kiss me tonight.”
Oh, no! She expects Blake to come back tonight after work.Collin had to make up a viable excuse. “Can’t go out with you tonight. I need to go to bed early. Church in the morning—early service.”
“You could kiss me now.”
His heart thumped, echoing off the walls in the break room. “I can’t take this stupid mask off while I’m at work.”
Her shoulders shrugged. “Then kiss me with it on.”
“Really?”
She nodded, her mouth falling open as her tongue wet her lips.
At that moment, he would’ve done anything to comply. In desperation, he tugged at the mouth opening, trying to make more room for his lips, so frustrated he almost ripped the entire Santa mask off his face.
“Here.” She placed the water bottle on the floor at her feet. “Let me help.”
Her slender fingers probed, parting the beard and mustache, combing it back and holding it out of the way. With a reassuring nod, she closed her eyes and pursed those luscious lips. He couldn’t wait to feel them against his own. He leaned down, anticipating her soft, responsive mouth. Their lips touched. Electricity fired through his nerve endings, even more than the first time he’d kissed her.
She made a quiet moan that made his throat tighten. Encouraged, he pressed harder, hoping the beard didn’t irritate too badly.
“Oh, sick!”
They jumped apart, turning to find Cassie standing in the doorway, both hands over her mouth, and her eyes bugging out like a bullfrog.
She shook her head, pointing an accusing finger toward them. “I’m pretty sure somebody could get arrested for what you’re doing.” A string of laughter busted out. “Maybe both of you.”