Chapter Eleven
The Christmas party at a hotel banquet hall downtown was in full swing.
On his way over, Leo had passed Bryant Park, catching a glimpse of the tall Christmas tree Cammie loved so much.
And now, he couldn’t stop thinking about the way her eyes lit up when she looked at it, and the smile on her face as she helped him skate.
All of which contributed to his miserable attitude as he sat at a table with coworkers and clients.
Cammie should have been here with him. He knew she’d adore the tasteful Christmas decorations and probably enjoy the string quartet playing on a stage in the corner.
There were a few couples on the dance floor, and he was envious of them, even though he never danced in public.
If Cammie were here and asked him, he had a feeling that he wouldn’t have been able to refuse.
He should never have promised her an interview without checking with Jenny first. He hadn’t intentionally lied to her. He’d just been too cocky, believing he’d have no trouble sweet-talking his sister into doing him a favor. Now, Cammie felt like she couldn’t trust him and he hated it.
He knew how hard the last few years had been for her and understood just how much significance she’d placed on this potential interview.
It wasn’t just about a job for her. It had been a chance to reclaim her life after it had been so massively derailed by her mother’s diagnosis and death.
Things he hadn’t known when he’d thrown out the offer to get her a meeting with Jenny.
It was a lesson he’d learned the hard way.
The client he’d been so gung-ho to impress, Spencer McClain, stood on the other side of the room, holding a glass of scotch in his hand and laughing at something Leo’s boss said.
The man glanced around, and Leo knew McClain was looking for him.
It was his responsibility to impress the big client, after all.
But he turned away, heading toward the bar to get himself another drink. At the moment, he wasn’t keen on jumping through hoops for the job. He still wanted McClain’s business, but thanks to Cammie, he was starting to realize that the world didn’t revolve around work.
There were more important things to worry about.
He never should have gone along with the fake-girlfriend lie, no matter what his boss wanted. Although, he couldn’t regret the request because it had led him to Cammie.
He pulled out his phone, planning to send her a text, even though she hadn’t responded to the others he’d sent today. Though he didn’t want to bombard her with messages, he couldn’t resist sending one more just to check in, on the off chance she might reply.
Merry Christmas, sweetheart. Is there any chance I could see you tomorrow?
He pressed send and hoped she’d say yes. If he had to leave his parents’ house a little early to spend time with Cammie, he would-although he hoped she’d just come with him to celebrate with his family. The thought of her being alone on the holiday was too much to bear.
His phone buzzed and he held his breath as he opened the text and read her reply.
Or you could see me right now.
He lifted his head and looked around until he spotted her standing inside the ballroom entrance, tucking her phone into her clutch. She glanced up and met his gaze, a smile on her beautiful face.
Everyone else in the banquet hall faded away until Cammie was the only person he saw.
He was glad he hadn’t peeked at the dress when they bought it.
She was stunning in the red dress with lace sleeves and a keyhole cutout above her chest, giving a glimpse of her cleavage.
The dress was fitted, showing off her feminine curves and the slit up one side went all the way to her hip, revealing her sexy, toned leg.
He stared as she walked toward him, accepting in that drawn out moment that she owned him. With her beauty, sunshine and Christmas cheer, she’d snuck into his heart when he wasn’t looking. And she made him feel something brand new. A connection and a desire for more.
He pushed away from the bar and met her halfway, treating her to a slow smile. “You look beautiful,” he said, taking her hands and kissing her cheek. “I’m so glad you came. I’m sorry about—”
She placed a finger on his lips. “No apologies. I’m not here because I want an interview. I’m here because I just want to be with you.”
“That’s all I want too.” He pressed his lips to hers but kept the kiss brief, not wanting to get carried away in front of all his business associates. But later… he couldn’t wait to get her alone.
Sliding his hand in hers, he led her to the bar and ordered her a fruity cocktail since she didn’t like wine, and spent the next two hours walking around the party with Cammie on his arm.
There was no pretending, no lying, no making their relationship appear more serious. For him, what they had was more than enough, and it didn’t matter how long they had been seeing each other. They might be new and exciting, but their relationship was full of potential.
He squeezed her hand in his. And if what he and Cammie shared wasn’t enough to impress McClain, he’d have to hope his stellar work history would get the man’s attention.
But when he introduced them, McClain seemed completely charmed, especially when Cammie chatted with him for twenty minutes about how much she loved visiting his amusement parks when she was younger.
The band stopped playing and everyone sat for dinner. The partners of the company each made a speech, all three of them, and there were small gifts given out, shot glasses with the company logo on them.
They’d just finished their dessert, a meringue confection topped with sweet berries, when he placed a hand on Cammie’s thigh and leaned in close. “What do you say about getting out of here?” he asked.
Her eyes sparked with happiness. “Let’s go.”
He drove them to his apartment, and she held his hand in the elevator, leaning her head against his shoulder. The intimacy came easily for her, and he liked how comfortable she felt around him. He wanted to be her safe harbor, always.
When they arrived at his apartment, her gaze fell to the gifts wrapped and sitting on the coffee table in the living room, waiting to be taken to his parents’ house tomorrow.
“You know, that’s why most people have trees,” Cammie pointed out. “It’s a place to put gifts.”
“Or the coffee table can substitute just fine.”
Cammie let her out annoyance with a huff. “Are those for your family tomorrow?”
“All but one.” Walking over, he picked one gift off the top and handed it to her. “For you, Cammie.”
Eyes wide, she ripped open the small box and squealed in delight. “Earrings in the shape of coffee cups! How did you find these?”
“Oh, I went hunting. And since I’ve never seen you wear anything like them, I took a chance. I know it’s not much but—”
She cut him off with a kiss full of pent-up longing. Her tongue swiped against his and they lingered as if they were under the mistletoe until she broke away.
“I love them. But how did you know you’d see me?” she asked.
He had his answer ready. “I planned on making it happen, sweetheart. I wanted to see you on Christmas. I even…” He trailed off, unsure whether to finish his sentence.
“You even what?” Cammie asked.
With a groan, he walked over to a foil covered tin. “Well, I took a crack at making cinnamon rolls. You know, so you’d have some on Christmas morning, like you used to make with your mom.”
“Oh, Leo. Nobody has ever done anything so thoughtful for me. Thank you.” She placed her hand on his arm, squeezing his bicep, then pulling him into a hug. “I think you finally do understand what’s so special about Christmas.”
He couldn’t help but agree. She’d opened his eyes and he knew the future was going to be merry and bright.