Snowed In for Christmas

Chapter 1

Daria

“You two need to cut the shit!” Billie pulled the door closed behind her and stepped into the reception area where Cade and I were arguing—yet again.

I wasn’t about to say it, but this time it was sort of the boss’s fault, since Billie had put us both on decorating duty after we finished our last appointments of the day. It was taking forever because we couldn’t even agree on how to hang garland or decorate a tree.

“We can all hear you bickering. The clients included,” she said. “Even over the sound of the tattoo machines.”

My shoulders slumped. “Sorry, Billie.”

“Don’t be sorry. Just figure out how to be friends already. Okay?”

She waited until we both nodded to go back into the studio. As soon as the door shut again, I looked over at Cade and whispered, “It’s still crooked, you idiot.”

“It’s not freaking crooked.” He climbed down from the ladder, slapping dirt from his hands. “And who cares if it is? It’s good enough.”

“I do. Billie does. It’s only a little more than a week until Christmas. Maybe dig deep for some holiday cheer.” I brushed past him. “Just get out of the way. I’ll fix it myself.”

Cade McMahon and I had both started as tattoo artists at Billie’s Ink two months ago, one week apart.

We hadn’t gotten along since my second day, when I’d unknowingly tatted one of his long-time clients.

Things had gotten worse the last few weeks.

If whoever makes those Grinch movies ever needed a new actor, Cade would be a shoo-in.

No acting required. The man was grumpier by the day as we slid toward the twenty-fifth.

I could tell Billie was at her wit’s end.

She probably wouldn’t admit it, but I was certain the team-building retreat we were all required to attend this week up in Vermont was mainly because of me and Cade.

I climbed the ladder, removed the star from the artificial Christmas tree, and bent the top branch a little to the right before replacing it and leaning back for a look. “There,” I said. “That wasn’t so hard.”

Cade frowned but said nothing for a change. I picked up the paper with the funky snow scene Billie had sketched. She wanted us to paint something similar on the shop’s front window.

“I’ll do the snowman and the snow,” I said. “You paint the scenery in the background and then tat up Frosty.”

He shrugged. “Whatever.”

It took us another hour, but at least we didn’t bicker—though that was probably only because neither of us ever said two words while we worked on art.

I finished my part a few minutes before Cade, which gave me a chance to watch him in action.

He held two thin paintbrushes between his teeth, and his head bopped along to whatever he had playing in his earbuds.

It was really a shame the guy was a giant asshole, because he was also phenomenally good-looking.

At least when he wasn’t talking. Chiseled jawline, a perfect, straight nose, and plump lips that women paid big money for. What a waste.

Deek, another tattoo artist at Billie’s, walked his last client of the day out from the back. The two shook hands.

“Merry Christmas, man.”

Deek waved. “You too. I’ll see you next month for the color fill-in.”

The extra bells I’d hung at the top of the front door jingled as it opened and closed. Deek looked around the now-decorated reception area. “Nice job. And no blood shed, from what I can see. Maybe there’s such a thing as a Christmas miracle after all.”

He walked toward the door that separated the lobby from the studio. “Oh, I almost forgot. Change of plans for the trip up to Vermont tomorrow morning.”

“Are we leaving later, I hope?” Cade asked.

“Nah. Bosslady still wants to get on the road by five. There’s a big storm heading to Vermont.

She wants to get to the cabin by the time the heavy stuff comes down.

But there’s a change in the carpools. I’m not riding with you anymore, Cade.

Justine and I are going with Billie in her car.

We decided to make a pit stop in Connecticut to visit Big Ed, a friend of ours who used to work here.

He moved to L.A. a few years back, but he’s in town visiting his parents.

Their place is right on the way, off I-95. ”

“Can I still go with you guys?” I asked, feeling panicked.

Deek shook his head. “Billie wants you two to ride together. She doesn’t want anyone riding alone.”

“But…”

The boss suddenly walked out from the back with her client. I waited until he left to continue the conversation. “Deek was just telling us about the change in carpools tomorrow. I really don’t think it’s a good idea for Cade and me to spend seven hours in the car.”

Billie put her hands on my shoulders. “I think it’s exactly what you two need.”

Deek looked at me and chuckled. “You look like I just told you you’re being sent to the electric chair.”

“I might prefer that,” I mumbled.

“Oh, come on now,” Billie said. “Think of all the fun we’re going to have this weekend. We’re going to go tubing, ice skating, make a big fire… I promise, Colby’s parents’ cabin is amazing.”

I sulked. “I’d rather ride there with you guys.”

Billie ignored me and spoke to Cade. “Can you fit two boxes in your trunk? Mine is small and will barely fit all of our bags.”

Cade shrugged. He didn’t look too happy about the new arrangements either. “Sure.”

“Great. One is a box of board games. I read they’re good for team building.

I had Colby order them. I also let him pick them out, so I’m actually a little scared.

My husband is a geek at heart. We may wind up playing something Star Wars-themed or Dungeons & Dragons.

The box just came today. I haven’t even opened it.

The other box is liquor and mixers.” She thumbed toward the back. “Let me grab them.”

While Billie and Cade took stuff to his car, Deek and I sterilized all the equipment and loaded the autoclave chamber. As they came back in, Deek lifted his chin to me. “Hey. Give the guy a chance this weekend. There’s a lot more to him than meets the eye.”

I sighed. “Great. Just what I want. More Cade.”