Her Plus One: Stand-alone Friends to Lovers, Military, Boy Next Door, Home for the Holidays (Pine Haven Holiday Romance Book 1)

by Jenn Sable

  Mable pointed at me. “Then stop going out with Melissa and go out with a man!”

  A smile wobbled across my lips. “I must confess, Tess goes on a lot of dates. I’m the one that has been dragging my feet. I haven’t gone out on a date in weeks—”

  “Months,” Tess said, holding up four fingers.

  Mable clutched at her chest. “Four months! Mercy child, cobwebs must be growing between your legs.”

  I blinked. “Mable, you are surprisingly blunt.”

  She pursed her lips and shrugged. “Yes, I’ve heard that before. I don’t see it, but everyone’s entitled to their own opinion.”

  I smiled and picked up the dessert menu. “Since I don’t have a Todd to go home to, I’ll have the largest piece of chocolate cake you find in the kitchen.”

  Mable added the cake onto the check and nodded approvingly. “That’s not a bad second option. I’ll be back.”

  Tess watched Mable walk away. “I love that woman. I love that she had a rocking sex life with her husband. I want a Todd, damnit.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I know, but it’s not like having a husband is the be all end all. Lots of married couples look miserable, to be honest.”

  Tess arched a brow. “Do you still want to get married, Melissa?”

  I shrugged. “Someday. My first attempt at marriage didn’t go so well, so I’m not in a rush to try again.”

  Tess’s eyes narrowed a fraction. “Are you ever going to try again? You’re not still letting thoughts of that punk-ass cheater taint your impression of every man, are you?”

  I shook my head. “No, of course not. I don’t even think about Michael anymore. He’s firmly in my review mirror when it comes to any intimate feelings. I certainly don’t need someone like that in my life. What I do need is a bathroom, though. I started downing iced teas after that wine, and my eyes are starting to float. I’ll be back.”

  Tess rubbed her tongue over her teeth as I stood. “Do you have any toothpicks?”

  “Yeah, in my purse. Just look around. You’ll find them.”

  The soft glow of tealight candles twinkled throughout the darkened restaurant as I wound my way toward the ladies’ room. A middle-aged couple sat with their arms extended across the table, and their fingers entwined while they were deep in conversation. The back of my throat pinched. I’ll never have that. I pushed the thought from my mind and slipped into the ladies’ room.

  Relieved, I pulled open the bathroom door and was startled when someone was shouting my name.

  “Melissa!” I turned to see Mable push through the kitchen’s swinging door. She grinned so wide I could count all her teeth.

  “Yes, Mable?”

  She lifted her hands and shook them lightly. “It’s a birthday miracle!”

  I arched a brow and shook my head, amused and curious. “Come again?”

  Mable’s meaty hands clasped my shoulders. “A gentleman called in and took care of your bill for you and Tess this evening. He’s even paying for your chocolate cake!”

  My brows dropped, and my jaw loosened. “There must be some mistake.”

  Mable tightened her lips in a firm line and slowly shook her head back and forth. “That’s what I thought, but it’s not a mistake. I asked. Repeatedly, because you’re very, very single.”

  I pressed my hand to my heart and cleared my throat. “I’m not very, very single. I’m just single, thanks.”

  Mable patted me on the shoulder. “Right, dear. Anyway, a Clayton McCade from Pine Haven picked up your tab this evening. He said to tell you that you owe him a bite of cake.” She wagged her brows. “Take that cobweb.”

  I floated on air the whole way back to the table. My heart flitted like the wings of a hummingbird. I felt giddy. Clay bought dinner, and he says I owe him a bite of chocolate cake? Oh, my God! I’d give him a taste of a lot more if he weren’t about to fly away in a week. Ugh, this is just a passing flirtation. A holiday fling. Nothing more, nothing less.

  But that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the hell out of it while it lasts!

  I approached the table, and my eyes trained in on the deep tension mark that sliced down the middle of Tess’s brows. The tight set of her mouth made it clear that something was wrong. “Tess, is everything okay?”

  “Everything is okay with me.” Her response was clipped, and she eyed me closely.

  Unable to dull my shine, I gushed on like she wasn’t sitting there glaring at me. “Did Mable come to tell you? Clay paid for our dinner! I mean, I’m speechless, I’m—"

  “So speechless that you failed to tell me that you received an invitation to the Community’s Talent Gala? I found it in your purse. And, what the fuck are these doing in your purse?” Tess dug her arm into my purse, pulled out my box of old wedding invitations, and slammed them on the table, making the silverware jump.

  My throat closed, and my shoulders collapsed at the sight of the box. It was in sharp contrast to the lighthearted joy that I felt over Clay’s surprise. “I found those today while helping my aunts decorate for the chili cook-off.”

  Tess pointed to the box. “Yeah, okay, but again, what the fuck are they doing in your purse? Are you just hefting them around in case you need fire kindling?”

  I sputtered out a laugh and shrugged helplessly. “I have no idea. I saw the old invitations and threw them away, then for some unexplainable reason, I shoved them in my purse.

  Mable approached, grinning ear to ear, and pressed a heavy dessert box tied with a red ribbon in my hand. The size and weight of the box made my eyes widened. Mable leaned forward, and her eyes twinkled. “There are two substantial pieces of chocolate cake in here. You know what to do.”

  I tried to smile but was too embarrassed by Tess’s discovery. Tess stood abruptly, gathered her purse and mine, and shoved the box of invitations into my bag. “That’s an excellent idea, Mable, and that’s exactly what this birthday girl needs. Thank you for everything this evening. If the bill is taken care of here, we’ll be off. I ordered an Uber to take us back to my parking garage, and it just arrived.”

  Tess gripped me by the elbow and pulled me through the restaurant and didn’t let go until she opened the Uber’s door and shoved me in the backseat of the car. She marched around to the other side, made quick work of telling the driver the address of her parking garage, and then stared at me.

  “Jesus. What? That’s my purse, and those wedding invitations are my business.”

  Tess nodded her head, keeping her eyes locked with mine. “You’re not over it yet.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Oh, I’m over, Michael.”

  Tess shook her head. “Not him, it. You’re still clinging to the idea that one failed relationship indicates that future relationships will also be a failure and result in heartbreak. So, you’ve been avoiding them. For two years. Have you had sex with anyone since Michael?”

  I sighed and rubbed my temples. “I highly doubt that the driver wants to be subjected to this conversation.”

  The driver cleared his throat. “Ma’am, you’d be surprised what I hear from the backseat. This is tame, carry on.”

  I chuckled and dropped my hands in my lap. I looked over at Tess. “Tess, it’s my life. Who cares if I’m avoiding relationships?”

  Tess frowned. “What about sex? Are you avoiding that too? Are you suddenly not interested in it anymore?”

  “Of course, I’m interested. I’m just not a practicing member at the moment.”

  Tess leaned forward. “The only one stopping you is you. I love you too much not to say this—”

  My head fell back against the headrest, and I chuckled. “Oh, God, what?”

  Tess held both of my hands in hers. “If you were happy being alone, I would be cheering you on to rock and roll right into early spinsterhood. However, you’re not happy, Mel. I hear you sigh when I talk about my dates, and sure most of my dates are with complete nutjobs or assholes, but at least I know I’m out there trying. So, what’s the deal? Have you given up on m
en, or have you given up on yourself?”

  My mouth went dry, and my chest felt crushed. For a horrifying moment, I thought I was going to cry. Tess’s words found a chink in my armor and sliced viciously at my feelings, but I was wise enough to know that they wouldn’t have hurt me if they weren’t true.

  Tess’s gaze softened immediately. “Oh, God. I’m sorry, Mel. My mouth gets going, and then I turn right into blunt Mable. Screw the list and forget what I said.”

  I bit the undersides of my lips and welcomed the first few flutters of my long-dormant courage to bubble up through me. “No.”

  Tess’s eyes widened. “No, you’re not going to forget what I said?” She looked worried.

  “I won’t ever forget what you said, which is why I am going to cross one thing off that damn list. You crossed off all of yours, so the least I can do is cross off one.”

  Tess’s brows rose with slow and hesitant recognition of my breath. “Did we just have a come-to-Jesus moment?”

  “I think we did.”

  She let go of my hands and wrapped her arms around me. “Melly! I am so proud of you!”

  Tess released me from her tight squeeze and flashed me a mischievous grin. “What are you going to do?”

  “Book a flight to Iceland; those northern lights are going to be amazing.”

  She blinked. “What?”

  “I’m kidding!”

  Tess exhaled. “Oh, thank God.”

  I took a deep breath. Instead of answering Tess, I slid my cell out of my purse’s front pocket and opened my text messages.

  Me: Hey, Clay. I’ve got a piece of chocolate cake with your name on it. I’ll be home in an hour if you’re hungry.

  Chapter 4 - Clay

  I was disappointed that I didn't get a chance to drive Melissa back to Pine Haven, but I did use her phone call as an excuse to get the hell out of Shelby's and away from Michael Grove.

  About twenty minutes into our drinks, Scott took a call and then bowed out. I didn't blame him; Michael Grove had done nothing but put up roadblocks for the restoration process of a building that Scott and his dad bought in Center City. Scott wasn’t the type of guy who fraternized with his adversaries.

  Scott had texted me almost immediately to apologize but asked that we'd meet up in Pine Haven first thing tomorrow morning. He offered to treat for breakfast at Patty's Pancake House. It wasn’t long after my conversation with Grove about Melissa that she had called, and I excused myself. Grove had his eyes trained on my phone the entire time I spoke with Melissa but didn’t say anything to me. He just nodded when I stood to say goodbye.

  The smell of hot chocolate wafted through the Monroe garage, and I peered out from under the hood of Melissa’s Jeep to see Leona walking out with a tray with two mugs.

  "Clayton, I am impressed that you know how to fix vehicles."

  I wiped my hands on a rag and smiled. "I don’t know how to fix everything, but I do know enough to handle a few things on my own. I just checked the oil level, and Melissa is good to go.”

  I reached out and took a mug of hot chocolate from Leona's extended tray. "Thank you. This smells delicious. The second you walked into the garage, my mouth started to water at the aroma."

  Leona wagged her silver brows, and her brown eyes glittered with joy. "It's an old family recipe, passed down through the generations of Monroe women."

  A mug of sweet and creamy hot chocolate was exactly what I needed. I took a sip and felt its warmth travel through my chest and settle in my stomach. "I don't think I've ever had a better cup. Monroe women know what they're doing."

  Leona smiled and studied me over the rim of her mug. "Clayton, it’s so good to see you back in Pine Haven."

  "It's good to be back. I didn't realize how much I would miss it until I left."

  "And you will join your parents when they fly to Scotland next week?"

  I nodded. "That's the plan for now."

  Leona's eyes snapped to mine. "For now? What could change between now and then?"

  I took a deep breath. "I have no idea. I’m just trying not to think about having to leave so soon."

  She took another sip of hot chocolate. "What do you miss the most about Pine Haven?"

  "The people."

  "Anyone in particular?"

  I ran a hand down the back of my neck. "I miss Scott, my parents, all of you. It's just nice to be surrounded by folks you've known all or most of your life. Plus, be able to go out on a Friday night, spend time with family and friends."

  "Spend time with people like my niece, Melissa?"

  Our eyes caught, and we both started laughing. "Yes, especially Melissa. Is it that obvious?"

  Leona held up a delicate hand. "Not every man would spend his Friday night home after two years in his neighbor's garage fixing an oil leak for a woman he wasn't attracted to."

  I rubbed a hand over my stubbled jawline. "You caught me. I'm a little smitten with your niece."

  Leona laughed. "Well, that’s adorable. Too bad you weren’t visiting longer. Melissa just was nominated for this year’s Community’s Talent award in the arts. The Gala is the day after Thanksgiving, though.”

  “That’s incredible. I bet Melissa’s thrilled.”

  Leona nodded. “She is, Michael Grove is this year’s host, and I don’t think she is excited to have to see him.”

  Damn, that fucking guy is popping up everywhere.

  “Is the Jeep drivable?"

  I reached out and closed the hood. "It is now."

  Leona dug out a pair of keys from her pocket. "Well then, I just received a text from Melissa that she’s home. Would you be so kind as to return the Jeep to her? I’m expecting her bright and early tomorrow morning to drive over and help with the chili cook-off. You should come."

  My brows lifted, and I tentatively reached for the keys that dangled from Leona's fingertips. “I, ah, don’t want to impose on Melissa this evening.”

  Leona took another sip of her hot chocolate. “Oh please! You’d be doing her a favor, and me by not making me get up early and pick her up myself. Text her. I know she’d be very appreciative to get her Jeep back. Plus, it’s Friday night, and not even ten o’clock. I don’t mean to rush away, but I don’t want to miss the end of my Hallmark holiday movie. I’ll leave you to it. Tell Melissa I said good night, and I’ll just speak with her in the morning.” Leona waved her hand in the air as though it were a perfectly reasonable hour to go visiting.

  Giving my hands one more wipe, I reached for my phone on the workbench and was shocked to see that I’d missed a message from Melissa.

  Melissa: Hey, Clay. I’ve got a piece of chocolate cake with your name on it. I’ll be home in an hour if you’re hungry.

  She’d text me well over an hour ago. I could hear the pounding of my heart as I typed back to her.

  Me: Is it too late for me to drop by?

  Shit, I probably smell like an oil canister. I reached for the shirt that I’d been wearing earlier and hopped into her Jeep. I glanced at my cell again and smiled when I saw that she was typing back to me.

  Melissa: No, not at all. As long as you don’t mind that I am in my pj’s.

  Me: Pajama party, huh? I don’t have mine with me. I have to admit, I might smell like a garage. I’ve been working on a project.

  The dots danced, and I wondered if I had time to run home and shower.

  Melissa: Get over here.

  Me: Anxious to see me?

  Melissa: I’m anxious for dessert.

  Honey, you have no idea.

  Me: All right, but I warned you.

  Melissa: Noted. Haha.

  It took me seven minutes to reach Melissa’s house from our childhood homes, and she was right; it was dark as hell. Less than ten minutes later, I pulled into Melissa's driveway. The porch light illuminated the trees that stood guard around her little bungalow. I smiled, thinking back to the first time I saw her walking through her aunt's garden like a little fairy. Now she lived in a cottage on the ed
ge of the forest, as if my fantasy were coming to life.

  I looked down at my oil-stained T-shirt and swore. Thankfully, I had brought the shirt I had worn earlier with me. I didn't think she'd mind if I cleaned up before we had dessert.

  I knocked on the front door and smiled as I heard the pitter-patter of footsteps. The door opened, and the breath was knocked from my lungs. Melissa had changed into an oversized, comfy, pink sweatshirt with flannel pajama bottoms that hugged her hips. Her hair was down but shined as though she'd just brushed it, and she wore fluffy slippers. I eyed her from head to toe and had to stop myself from pulling her into my arms to feel her soft warmth that I knew was waiting just beneath the fabric.

  "I warned you that I'd be in my pajamas."

  The sound of her laughter and the sweet curve of her smile caused my heart to thunder in my chest. "This isn't the first time that I've seen you in your pajamas, Melissa. When you and my sister would have sleepovers, I quite distinctly remember your purple pajamas with pink hearts on them."

  Melissa's eyes grew wide. "Oh, my God, I can't believe that you remember those. You have a good memory."

  I shrugged and looked at her from underneath my brows. "Some things are just more memorable than others. I remember a lot of things about you."

  A twinkle appeared in Melissa's eyes, and her hands went to her hips. "Clayton McCade, are you flirting with me, or are you just trying to butter me up to get that piece of chocolate cake?"

  I chuckled. "To be honest, I forgot about the cake."

  Her eyes bulged a bit, and her cheeks turned crimson as she laughed. Avoiding eye contact, her gaze shot over my shoulder to her Jeep sitting in the driveway. Her mouth fell open. "Did you drive my Jeep over here?"

  I rubbed the palm of my hand over the back of my neck. "Yeah, I finished up early in Greenvale, so when I got home, I decided to look at your Jeep. Thankfully, it wasn't bad. I was able to get it fixed for you in no time flat."

  She just stared at me as though she couldn't believe her eyes. "Wow, I didn't expect you to jump on it so fast."

  I cracked a smile. "I'm a mission-oriented kind of guy."