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  Oh, comfort and joy.

  Hunter slipped, but grabbed the counter and righted his tall frame before falling. At least the lummox couldn’t sue her. “No worries. I’m fine.” He flashed that boyish grin other woman probably found endearing. She wanted to punch him in his interfering teeth.

  “Do I want to know?” he asked, looking at the fermenting lettuce.

  Katarina almost laughed. “You don’t.”

  He was already reaching for the paper holder. Two swipes with his large hands and the mess had disappeared. He walked toward her, motioning toward the cabinet beneath the sink with his head. “Trash in there?”

  She nodded, opening the door as she stepped aside. Tripp wouldn’t have known that.

  Stop comparing him to Tripp. Or vice versa.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  Odd, but she couldn’t find any sarcasm in his tone. “Why are you here?”

  He shrugged. “I thought you wanted your boyfriend here.”

  “And you think he wouldn’t have come in for a drink without your presence?” The nerve of the man.

  Hunter shrugged again, increasing her stress at not being able to punch him. “I don’t know what you see in the man, but that’s beside the point.”

  “And none of your business.”

  He picked up the wine bottle. “You buy this?”

  “Again, none of your business—but no. Tripp brought it. As a gift.”

  “You drink this?”

  She wasn’t overly fond of cabernet sauvignon; she liked her wine chilled. “No, why?”

  “Not much of a gift then.” He raised the bottle. “Happy Christmas.” He flashed that grin again. From anyone else, she would have been disarmed, but on Hunter, it raised her blood pressure.

  “Don’t tell me you’re insulting your new BFF.”

  Hunter grinned again. “I do like the guy, but he is a bit fussy.”

  Katrina sighed, not really wanting to talk to Hunter about Tripp, not wanting to talk to Hunter, period. “Tripp isn’t gay, if that’s what you’re implying.”

  “Whoa. I never said gay.”

  “Metrosexual,” she countered, realizing she sounded downright ridiculous.

  “Hey, what’s going on in here?” Tripp said, walking into the kitchen, avoiding the wet spot where the bulk of the salad had been.

  “Hunter was just telling me your wine is fussy.” Katarina flashed her sweetest smile at Hunter. Instead of acting insulted, the jerk just grinned.

  For a second, Tripp looked forlorn, and then he shrugged. “Not the first time I’ve heard that, but what can I say, I like good wine. Since I’ve signed on with Everyday Lives, people constantly point to my habits and imply I’m gay.”

  “Are you?” Hunter asked.

  Katarina wanted to punch the man, offended on Tripp’s behalf. “He’s not gay.” She twisted to look at the love of her life. “Hunter’s just pushing buttons, Tripp. That’s what he does.”

  “She’s right,” Hunter said. “But I’m sure Tripp knew that, Katarina.”

  Now he decides to be gracious? For a second, she wanted to get the ruined salad out of the trash and throw it on Hunter’s head.

  “Not a problem,” Tripp said, talking to Hunter and completely ignoring Katarina. “I love women, but I do get that gay thing a lot. My agent says people assume anyone in Hollywood who’s good looking and well dressed is gay, so I take it as a compliment.”

  Only you’re not in Hollywood. Katarina instantly felt contrite about her less-than-nice thought.

  Tripp punched Hunter on the arm. Hard. Maybe he wanted to prove a soap opera star could be macho. Or maybe he had a little passive-aggressive thing going. “You’ll tell me if I do something that makes my orientation questionable, won’t you Hunter?”

  “To start with,” Hunter said, “quit using words like orientation.”

  To Katarina’s horror, both men laughed like jackasses.

  Chapter Nine

  Blue Christmas—Tripp Is Not into Her

  Wonderful aromas surrounded Hunter as the man in front of him ordered. Cinnamon, vanilla, coffee. His mouth watered. For a small town, Merryvale had some cool places.

  “Aren’t you a tall drink of eggnog,” the woman behind the counter said when he reached the front of the line.

  Wouldn’t he love to have a dollar for every comment about his height. Next, she’d ask if he played basketball. It wasn’t like six feet three was that tall.

  “Hey,” she said, holding up her palms. “I didn’t mean to offend you. Truly.”

  He took another look at the woman. Maybe she wouldn’t ask about his non-existent NBA career. And she was cute—black curly hair and sparkling green eyes, like the star on a Christmas tree.

  “No offense taken,” he said, meaning it.

  “Good.” Curly Hair leaned forward, giving him a minute flash of cleavage. “Because when flirting results in offense, you’re not doing it right.”

  Hunter grinned, his first non-forced smile in weeks. Or so it seemed. “So that was flirting?”

  She grinned back. “Pleading the fifth here. What can I get for you?”

  “I’ll have a black coffee and…” Shit, he’d forgotten what Katarina said she wanted. Why had he ever agreed to pick up her caffeine anyway?

  He knew why. He felt bad for messing up her date—or what she perceived as a date. He also felt bad that Tripp wasn’t exactly into her, though why anyone would feel bad for the force of nature known as Katarina was beyond him.

  Maybe the curly-haired woman would know. Katarina had told him where the shop was and her order was very specific, so maybe she frequented the Brew Mistress. “This is going to sound lame, but I offered to pick up coffee for my client and I’ve forgotten what she ordered. Do know Katarina Snodgrass?”

  The woman snorted, a sound that conveyed a bagful. Yes, she clearly knew Katarina, and no, she didn’t like her. “Everybody knows Katarina. She normally gets a latte, but yesterday, for the first time ever, she got a skinny.”

  That jarred something in his memory. “I think I do remember her saying skinny.”

  “Coming right up.” She punched in the order. “Let me guess, you’ve only been in town a short while and she’s already got you playing waiter.”

  Her assessment was right on the money, but it sounded bad when the woman said it aloud. “Something like that.”

  “And how long have you been in town?”

  “Hmm,” he said, another grin tugging at his cheek. “Sounds like you might be flirting again.”

  “Might be. I’m Kaley, by the way.” She held out her hand.

  He shook her hand, realizing he didn’t mind a little flirting. He’d only be in town a few days, three or four at the most if he could get Katarina moving on her design. “Hunter.”

  Kaley stopped moving. “Hunter Montgomery?”

  He nodded. Another memory cell fired. “You said Kaley? As in Suzette’s friend, Kaley?”

  Suzette said her friend owned the Brew Mistress. Owners didn’t typically wait on customers or he might have put it together sooner, thus avoiding the awkward situation.

  “Now I’m embarrassed,” she said.

  “Don’t be. Not your fault some people think we need to be set up.” To be more precise, he hated it. Only Suzette was so sweet, a man had a tough time saying no. He’d agreed to say “hello,” nothing more. And now he’d said “hello.”

  “Funny,” Kaley said. “Before Suzette got together with Spence, she was the one who needed setting up. Why can’t married people understand—some of us like being single.”

  He nodded. “Exactly. But just so you know, if I were going to be in town longer, I’d ask you out without the set up.”

  “Thanks. And just so you know, I’d agree if we hadn’t been set up.” She grinned, looking even cuter. “In a non-set up, a bunch of us single folks are going to listen to a new band over at Jingle Bells tonight.”

  “Jingle Bells?” The woman had to be kidding.
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  She grimaced. “I know, right? The Christmas Festival is a big deal in Merryvale, so most of the businesses have holiday-related names, the Brew Mistress being one of the few exceptions.”

  He nodded as she handed him his orders. “Thanks. I might just see you there.”

  ****

  The bell on the florist shop door jingled, but Katarina didn’t look up. Just one more entry and she’d have her profit statement completed. “Be right with you.”

  She hurried the last entry, making a mental note to recheck later. She walked out to the counter. No customer, just Hunter.

  “Oh.” With another vow to be “new and improved,” she stifled the it’s you, forcing a “Hi” instead.

  “Here’s your coffee.” Judging by Spence’s tone, he had no “new and improved” goal. Man sounded downright grumpy

  Katarina forced her sweetest smile. “Thanks. Let me grab my purse and I’ll reimburse you.”

  “Consider it a gesture of good well. Have you decided?”

  “Decided?”

  “How do you want me to reprogram the HollyGram? Maybe you didn’t get the part where I need to get home.”

  Katarina decided he was a big fat jerk. Or maybe he was just not used to the polite Merryvale ways. From her visits to New York, she knew the locals didn’t have time for friendly chitchat.

  More important, coffee didn’t get him off the hook for pushing his big fat nose into her date. He’d been polite enough then. Actually, he’d been more considerate than Tripp but she’d been fuming—in fact, she still was—thus, she didn’t want to give him any points.

  “Sorry about last night,” he said.

  Great. Now he apologizes? “Not sure what you mean.”

  “Three’s a crowd and all that.”

  Just because she’d decided to become one of the Merryvale Nice Folk didn’t mean she had to be a doormat. “Okay. But you must have realized that during dinner. Why did you come back to my house?”

  “I didn’t realize you two were—” He abruptly stopped talking.

  “Didn’t realize what? Don’t try to spare my feelings, Montgomery. Not like we’re friends or anything.”

  “I get that, but can’t we at least be civil?”

  She took a deep breath. She’d told Tripp it was just a friendly dinner, but if a total stranger hadn’t thought they were together…

  “Okay, Hunter, but if we’re going to work together, we have to say what’s on our mind without having to put sugarplums on everything. Forgive me for my bluntness, but what kind of person invites himself on a couple’s date?”

  He winced. “Wow.” He paused for several seconds. “I didn’t know it was a date.”

  Katarina originally thought that’s what he meant, but hearing the words spoken felt like a slap. She really should let the issue drop, but she had to know. “You seriously didn’t think we were on a date?”

  Hunter shrugged. “This is uncomfortable. Can’t I just apologize and get to work?”

  “No such luck. Spill. Why didn’t you think we were on a date?”

  “Fine. But don’t shoot the messenger. Tripp was checking out the waitress and you looked bored. I don’t know about those fancy Hollywood types, but most men don’t invite another guy to join them if it’s a date.” His Adam’s apple rose and fell. “Sorry.”

  “Well it was a date,” she insisted, knowing her words were hollow.

  “Look, it’s none of my business, but if you’re into this guy—and God only knows why you would be—make it a little harder on him.”

  “Excuse me?” No way was she letting him off the hook now.

  He hesitated. “It’s just… We guys are competitive. Don’t be a sure thing.”

  She opened her mouth, ready to blast one Hunter Montgomery.

  He held up a hand. “I didn’t say you were a sure thing.”

  Of all the nerve. “So what should I have done? Come onto you?”

  Instead of being offended, as any decent person would, Hunter merely shrugged. “If you’d flirted with me a little, Tripp would have noticed you more. That’s all I’m saying.”

  She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “You wanted me to flirt. With you?”

  “Hell, no.” He blinked again. “Look, I’m sorry I said anything. I’ll stay away from you and Tripp going forward, okay?”

  She leaned over the counter and rubbed her forehead. Things were worse than she thought. Years ago, Tripp said he’d always love her, but maybe his feelings had died. If he didn’t care anymore, maybe there was no hope.

  “Hey,” Hunter said, “I’m an engineer, not a people person. I probably don’t know what I’m talking about.”

  That was the problem. He did know. He’d voiced her greatest fear aloud.

  Tripp Anthony was no longer into her.

  Chapter Ten

  Rockin’ Around the Relationship Tree

  “Hunter!”

  Hunter recognized Kaley’s voice, but couldn’t find her. Jingle Bells was well lit and surprisingly non-dive-ish, but there was a lot of people. Even so, he spotted her waving at him from across the cafe. He paused when he noticed she was alone.

  Deciding it would be rude to just walk away, he meandered through the crowd to reach her. “Where is the bunch?” he asked, working hard to keep his tone light.

  She laughed, as if she’d already assessed his fears and dismissed them. “Don’t worry. My friends will be here.”

  He really hoped so, because he hated games. Thus far, he liked the brunette, liked her even better now that she’d shunned the coffee shop apron. The girl had a chest that would make any guy look twice.

  “And where’s the band?” he asked. He’d purposely arrived late, not keen on a lot of conversation until he got a better take on the situation. If there were no band and no bunch, he might just have to be rude.

  “They’ve just taken a break.” Kaley’s grin signaled she knew he had doubts. “Relax, Yankee Boy. The drums will be banging soon.” Was there a hint of suggestion in her tone?”

  A waitress showed up and he ordered a beer, glad for the interruption. Kaley passed.

  “Designated driver,” she said, making him wonder about the bunch again. If she were the designatee, why hadn’t the bunch ridden with her? “How was your day?”

  Hunter’s collar seemed a little tighter. He sure didn’t like the quick change of subject. “Okay,” he replied, not wanting to discuss his time in Katarina purgatory. “How was yours?”

  “Awesome.” She smiled her cute smile, certainly not looking like a master manipulator. “I know a lot of people might not think owning a coffee shop is all that, but I love it.”

  A person who knew what she wanted and went after it. Hunter decided he liked her a little better.

  “And how was the beast?”

  He set his beer down on the table. “I don’t follow.”

  “The beast. Katarina. Can’t be easy working with her. What are you working on, exactly?”

  “I gather you don’t like her?” Hunter didn’t really need a reply. He didn’t like Katarina much either until he figured out her hostility was simply a defense mechanism. Now, he rather liked the beast. He’d never get involved with her—far too much maintenance. Not that he wanted any kind of relationship right now. His business was a very demanding mistress.

  “I wouldn’t say I dislike her exactly,” Kaley said. “In high school, she was one of the cool kids and ignored me completely. I could live with that, but she really picked on Suze after she returned to Merryvale.”

  That didn’t add up. “Really? Suzette does nothing but sing her praises.”

  “She does now. Before the Christmas Tree Contest last year, Suzette would turn green if Katarina was on the same block. Suze was that scared.”

  Suzette scared? Kaley must be mistaken. He doubted a pack of grizzlies would scare Suzette.

  Kaley shook her head. “I don’t know what happened at that contest and neither one of them will talk about it.”r />
  “You weren’t there?” he asked.

  Kaley shook her head. “No, the doctor told me I had strep. Only I didn’t.” She smiled. “Long story for another day. I suppose I should feel sorry for Katrina. All that money and no real friends. Except Suzette.”

  His jaw tightened. Hunter forced his body to relax. He didn’t like what he was hearing, but he wouldn’t judge Kaley. If she and Suzette were best friends, the woman must have some good qualities. Maybe she was nicer when she wasn’t talking about Katarina. And maybe he’d become too defensive of the beast.

  Hold on. He wasn’t defensive of Katerina. Was he?

  No. Of course not. He just didn’t like to hear people dissed without having a chance to defend themselves. That was all.

  “Katrina has money?” he asked. That didn’t make sense, either. Katarina’s apartment had been nice enough, but hardly fancy. The place was small and had hollow-core doors on the inside. She also worked hard at the florist—something a person just killing time probably wouldn’t do.

  “Sure she does,” Kaley replied. “She had dresses that cost more than my monthly rent. Her dad owns a ten-thousand-square-foot house, although I heard Katrina finally moved out. She is beautiful, I’ll grant you that.”

  Kaley stared at him for a second, biting her lip as if she wasn’t sure what to say. “Keep your distance, Hunter. She’s left a trail of broken and beaten men.”

  He took a sip of beer, trying to decide how to respond. “She’s hot, for sure, but I don’t have time to get broken. I’ve got so much going on with work right now, I rarely have time for anything else.” He hoped that got his point across, the point being he had no time for Kaley, either. Another time, another place and he might try to take things a little further with the cute brunette, but right now, he wanted her to know she should look elsewhere if she wanted a significant other.

  “I’ll drink to that.” She clinked her beer bottle against his. “And here’s to a little fun.” She gave him a naughty wink.

  A chord from an electric guitar kept Hunter from having to reply. He watched as the rest of the band returned to the makeshift stage in the corner of the café. No warm up, just right into the next set, loud enough to preclude talking. Fine with him. He could really use some chill time.