Chapter 4 Sylvie
FOUR
SYLVIE
Itry my best not to react to what just happened, but my brain does not want to comply.
Even though technically Opal was the one to make the bid, she’s legally unable to ‘take’ the prize. She’s a minor, so it would fall on her dad. Technically, it could mean a forfeit of the donation and thus the date.
From the corner of my eye, I catch Hunter and Opal striding to the back table where Lydia Sterling sits taking the donations. I pray he’s telling Lydia he won’t be taking the date.
Best-case scenario, he still makes a donation but declines the mystery date.
Worst-case scenario? I go on a date with the guy who has made his dislike for me well known.
There is a small part of me—tiny, though who am I kidding, definitely growing—who wants to spite this man and make him fall for me.
I’m Sylvie fucking Madden. I was born a force of nature.
My siblings and I are the kinds of people who fight for what they want and won’t let anyone tell us otherwise.
The big-shot lawyer, the rockstar, and me: the bitch who holds us together.
I am lovable, hardworking, and pretty dang cute.
Tonight proved there were plenty of people—men, specifically—willing to go out of their way to pay for a night in my company.
And I’ve been in town only a few weeks with many more offers to go on dates, check out what the town offers, and more.
There are plenty of men who want to date me without donating nearly four hundred dollars to do it.
Granted, I have had men pay that much on first dates. That’s beside the point, though.
Hunter very much does not want to date me.
He and Lydia talk quietly while Opal stands there looking sad.
I can’t help myself. I’m not a kid person, and I never have been.
But there’s something about this girl that calls to me.
Maybe it’s because she reminds me of myself when I was her age.
Maybe it’s because, although she loves her father more than anything, she doesn’t quite fit into this world.
Opal is a girl who yearns for more than a small town and has loads of ideas and plans.
I also don’t want her feeling bad about getting excited. She might be a teen, but she’s still a kid.
As I make my way towards the table, I watch Hunter set down his credit card. I don’t know much about his financial situation, but I doubt he’s in a position to drop nearly four hundred on a date.
“Lyd,” I say, “don’t worry about it.”
Hunter stiffens, jaw clenching. “I’m a man of my word.”
“I’m not saying you’re not,” I reply. “But with all the technicalities, it’s no issue.”
Deep sky-grey eyes land on me. I hate the fluttery feeling that always appears whenever he looks at me. “You don’t want to take me on your mystery date?”
I know he’s trying to lighten the mood—despite how bad he is at it—because Opal looks a little more worried. “Hey, Opal. Could you do a final round of donation collection for me? I’m pretty sure the oldies are about to get picked up by the bus, and I have a feeling their pockets aren’t dry yet.”
A timid smile appears on her face, but she grabs a bucket and rushes off.
Hunter watches her go without a word before turning those intense eyes back on me.
It’s hard to think he’s nearly forty when he doesn’t look that much older than me.
The only parts of him that give away his age are the fine lines around his eyes and the peppering of grey in his hair and thick beard.
For a lumberjack ex-firefighter, he takes good care of himself—and cleans up well. I hate to think it, but he’s a fine-looking man. Even if he’s only in slacks and a nice button-down.
“It’s not about the date,” I tell him with a roll of my eyes. “It’s the fact that Opal did the bidding on your behalf, which can be voided. And I don’t expect you to drop so much money.”
“I already intended to make a donation today,” he mutters, pushing his card in Lydia’s direction. “You and I both know what’ll happen if we don’t complete our end of the bargain. Opal has already planned to boycott the house if I don’t follow through.”
“Boycott?” I can’t help but laugh as I watch the teen glide between tables like the natural powerhouse she is.
Hunter grunts in response. “Yeah. She’ll go stay with Finn. That’s the last thing I want. So, mystery date it is, then.”
My cheeks warm as I look back at him. He doesn’t look thrilled about the idea at all, and I don’t blame him. This clearly isn’t his idea of fun.
“Well,” I say, clearing my throat, “it’s still a work in progress. Requires a little help. But don’t worry. That gives you time to prepare for the inevitable.”
“The inevitable?” Hunter quirks a brow as Lydia puts his details into the machine.
“Yes,” I reply. “You’ll inevitably realise I am the best at what I do. And you won’t be able to help it when you finally admit you do like me, Hunter Gates.”
It’s almost hard to believe Hunter stays through pack up and clean up. It’s almost two in the morning by the time the hall is returned to looking like it’s about to host the next town meeting.
And I am exhausted. My little Santa dress keeps riding up, my heels are in the corner of the room, and my hair went from pretty curls to a bun hours ago.
“You know,” I groan, waddling painfully to my shoes. “You could have taken Opal home yourself.”
Hunter grabs his suit jacket and slings it over his shoulder as he watches me. “That wouldn’t be fair. You let me sit out the announcements. You’re the one who should have been allowed to go home early.”
I can’t help but smile to myself. “Not second-guessing our mystery date yet?”
Hunter rolls his eyes as he grabs my shoes for me, as well as my purse. My cheeks warm as he hands me my bag. I know it’s only because he’s a gentleman and nothing more, but hot damn.
Clearing my throat, I take my purse and toss it over my shoulder. The last of the cleaners bid their farewells as we make our way towards the exit.
“Do you need a ride home?” he asks suddenly.
I stop, chewing my bottom lip. From here, the sky is a flurry of snow.
Now, I wouldn’t say I’m a total newb at driving in the snow, but I also wouldn’t do it willingly because of the danger involved.
Also, my car might work, but I don’t know Willow Ridge well enough to confidently drive home at 2 AM and while it’s snowing.
“Please?” I ask sweetly, turning to him. “And I’ll owe you one.”
Hunter snorts as he shakes his head. “Least I can do. You put a lot of work into tonight, proving me wrong.”
There’s something about that little admission that makes my heart stutter.
I don’t do anything for the validation of others.
I learned a long time ago there’s no point.
There’d always be something else I could have done better.
Something that would have made the event a little nicer.
I’m more than aware of how well tonight went, especially because once Lydia crunches the numbers and sends through my brother’s contribution, plus all the extra from his friends, we might actually save the firehouse.
With a sigh, I reach for my heels. “Mrs. Claus didn’t think about the implications of not bringing boots with her tonight,” I say, taking the straps.
“And there’s no Mr. Claus to do the heavy lifting.
My toes won’t freeze off between here and your truck, will they?
I think they’re too pretty for frostbite. ”
Something shifts in Hunter’s eyes as they roam over me. My skin prickles at his assessment, at the flare of warmth that takes the deep grey of his irises into something molten.
“Hold these,” he says gruffly, handing over my heels. His jacket, which he hasn’t bothered to put back on since he arrived at town hall, goes around my shoulders. The contact, although brief, makes me shiver.
“What—”
Before I can ask what the hell this grumpy man is doing, he swings me into his arms. I bite down on a yelp, immediately curling my arms around his neck.
The man doesn’t even grunt, doesn’t look like he’s straining.
I’m no dainty little flower. I was built to be the bane of my trust-fund Barbie mother’s existence.
The only thing I inherited from her was the colour of my hair. But this man…
This man carries me to the door like I weigh nothing more than a few eye rolls and groans.
“You do not have to do this,” I whisper-shout, tensing as the custodian opens the double doors for us. The older man, Marvin, tips his hat to us and winks at me like he knows something. I spent a lot of time this past week with that old man, and I know what a gossip he is. I swear if he…
“You said it yourself,” Hunter replies, cutting off my thoughts, “you aren’t dressed for it.”
I swallow hard, trying to ignore the fluttering warmth building in my belly. “I guess being a lumberjack means lifting heavy things is child’s play.”
Hunter gives me a funny look, eyes darkening in a way I can’t read. But he says nothing else until we get to his truck. “You’re going to have to open the door. If I set you down, those toes of yours will fall off.”
I snort, shaking my head as I slowly retract one of my arms from around his shoulders and tug on the door handle. The interior smells of freshly cut wood with a hint of spice that I know is his aftershave. There’s something kinda sexy about a man who keeps his vehicle clean and smelling good.
Gently, Hunter lowers me into the cab, his face inches from mine.
When he breathes, I feel it against my cold cheek.
The way my body reacts to him feels like a massive betrayal of everything I know about this man, who is totally off limits.
And when our eyes meet, his lips only a breath from mine, everything in me screams…
Hunter pulls away sharply, clearing his throat. “Looks like we’re in for some heavy snowfall,” he grumbles, closing the door on me.
I almost flinch at the sudden shift, but I know better. Hunter is not that sort of guy. This man is devoted to his daughter, and I admire that about him. I wish my own had been that great, but alas, I haven’t seen him in a decade.
The driver’s side door opens quietly, and he gets in without a word. “Thank you,” I whisper as he starts the truck.
Hunter just looks at me, still shielded like he isn’t sure what he should say or do.
“Let’s get you home before the snow blocks us,” is all he says in response, kicking the car into gear.
I just press my lips together and wrap his suit jacket around me, the spice of his cologne tickling every breath I pull in.
This was so not how I wanted the night to end.