“Get over yourself,” she huffed. “Of course I’m not asking you out. I’m just making conversation. Out of curiosity’s sake only.”
He took a step closer, a gleam in his eye. “Well, then for curiosity’s sake only, I’m not sure what I plan on doing. To start, I was going to check out the town activities you have listed at the front desk.”
“Oh, well, if you have Christmas shopping to do, the downtown from Fifth Street to Sixteenth Street has some lovely little stores. Then tonight at four p.m. in the ballroom here is the gingerbread decorating contest. The gingerbread houses are premade and built already. All you have to do is decorate. It’s a lot of fun.”
Ugh. Once she said the words, she wanted to kick herself.
This was a virile single man from Manhattan, and she just suggested he decorate a gingerbread house. For fun. Lucas probably thought she was the biggest dork.
Last summer she’d mentioned to Scott that they should enter a French fry sculpting contest on the boardwalk. That had not gone over well at all. He acted as if she’d asked Scott to eat spiders for a week.
However, Lucas didn’t seem disgusted at her gingerbread suggestion at all. Instead, he looked quite intrigued. “Will you be there?”
“Me? Well, yes, I kind of have to be. I’m in charge of it.”
“Then I’ll definitely come.”
“Oh. Okay.” She blinked, not sure how to read his sudden interest in gingerbread or that he seemed to want to go because she would be there. After all, she was the only person he knew in town. Of course it would be more comfortable for him if she were there. “Great. Um, you’re not going to suddenly tell me you’re a gingerbread house decorating expert, are you?”
He laughed. “No, I’m afraid not. But anything that could possibly help get my juices flowing on this Christmas campaign I’ll give a whirl.” He gave her a curious look. “Maybe we can grab dinner afterward. It’ll be a good test for us working together if you can get through a meal without stabbing me with a fork.”
“Okay. I guess I have to eat,” she said with a shrug.
“Wow, I’ll be sure to mention your aristocratic manners to Scott as well.”
She chuckled. “Sorry. I guess that did sound rude. Yes, dinner would be great.”
Elena stilled. Oh. My. Gosh. She just realized it. Dinner with Lucas Albright did sound great.
But only because he had offered her a job and was willing to make amends for breaking up her engagement. And because she had absolutely no other plans for dinner. Not because he was charming or funny or handsome. None of that at all.
“That response is more like it,” he said, walking over to the door. “See you at four.”
“Make sure you’re gumdrop ready,” she called after him.
He laughed low and gave her a slow wink. “Honey, I’m from New York. I’m always ready for anything.”
Chapter Eight
Lucas Albright was not ready for gingerbread decorating.
Elena would have to give him major points for trying, though. Although…maybe he was putting a little too much effort into it. He held the royal icing bag with both hands as if it were a football he’d just caught in the end zone, and so she had to stifle a laugh as it then ripped open from the pressure and the sticky white frosting began oozing down his knuckles.
“You can’t squeeze so hard,” she told him, coming over and patting his back.
He glanced up with a gleam in his eyes. “Good advice for all things in life.”
“Not cow milking,” she quipped.
He chuckled. “Leave it to you to ruin a perfectly good flirtatious line.”
“Is that what you were doing, flirting?” she said, grabbing a wet towel so he could wipe his hands. “I must be immune to your playboy ways.”
Lucas wiped his hands, looking at her thoughtfully. “You definitely are, which bodes extremely well for Scott, but leaves a shallow man like myself with lots of time—and frosting— on his hands. Happen to know any women around here who would be susceptible to the likes of my flirtatious charms?”
Elena blinked. She didn’t know why, but hearing that Lucas was interested in finding a woman while he was here in Cape Harmony surprised her—and grinded her nerves a bit. Not that she cared who he saw in his personal life. It was no concern of hers. Why would she care? He was really Scott’s friend, not hers. But she also knew Lucas was not interested in marrying again, so if he was looking for a woman, it was definitely with another purpose in mind.
“Sorry, I don’t know any of your kind,” she answered with a thin smile, “all the women I know have more than three brain cells.” Then she glanced down as a little girl proudly held up her finished house. “Oh, Sara, you did a great job. Set it over there on the table to dry and I’ll put your name on it.”
“Thanks, Miss Ewena,” she said with a sweet lisp.
After the little girl made her way to the table, Elena cast a side glance to Lucas. “By the way, that five year old totally smoked you in gingerbread house decorating.”
Lucas made a face. “Because of those tiny nimble hands of hers. I can’t compete with that.”
“Did you manage to charge your creative Christmas spirit at least?”
“Actually, I did. Thanks to your little gingerbread event, I now feel very…festive.”
She giggled. “And sticky, I’m sure.”
He looked down at his hands and wiggled his fingers in the air. “Very.”
“There’s a sink in the corner over there.”
“Great. Let me wash up and then we can grab something to eat.”
She smiled. “Sure.”
As Lucas went to the sink, Elena glanced around the room and saw that most of the other guests were finished or just finishing up. About to turn off the crockpot of apple cider, she felt a tap on her shoulder.
“Surprise!” said Arden and Kinsley when she turned around.
Elena beamed at her friends. “Surprise?”
“Big surprise,” Arden said, nodding, sending her blond hair swaying. “We thought you needed a night out. And, since you’re off work soon, we thought a little girls’ night was in order. That new Ryan Gosling movie is playing on the boardwalk. We can grab dinner first.”
“Oh, my gosh, that is so sweet of you guys.”
“I know,” Kinsley said, grinning. “We are the best.”
Elena bit her lip. Normally she’d be thrilled her friends took the time away from their husbands to be with her, but tonight…
She glanced over at Lucas. “Yeah, you are, but, uh, I already have plans for tonight.”
Arden blinked. “You? You, Elena Mason, have plans on a Saturday night?”
“Did Scott change his mind and decide to stay the whole weekend?” Kinsley asked.
“Um…no. He left this morning.” Elena hesitated, not really sure why. There was nothing to hide. She wasn’t doing anything wrong. “I’m actually going to dinner with Lucas.”
Now it was Kinsley’s turn to blink. “You mean Lucas Albright? The third?”
“Lucas is here?” Arden scanned the room until she found him. “Huh. He is here and he’s still living. And you’re even having dinner with him.” Arden laid a hand on Elena’s forehead. “Gee, I hope you’re not getting the flu.”
Elena waved her friend’s hand away. “Don’t be silly. I’m perfectly healthy.”
“Then why are you having dinner with the quote unquote Spawn of Voldemort?”
Kinsley giggled. “Oh my gosh, Elena, is that what you called him?”
Elena chuckled, too. “Yes, but that was before he apologized. He’s not so bad now, I guess.”
And it was true. Lucas Albright was kind of growing on her—like mold on cheese. He did seem like the kind of man who was only looking out for his friend’s best interests and now that he saw and agreed that she and Scott made a wonderful couple, there really was nothing left to dislike about him.
Kinsley whistled. “He’s not so bad? Lucas is downright dreamy.
” She clamped a hand over her mouth. “Don’t tell my husband I said that.”
Elena placed both hands on her hips. “Well, I think Scott is even more dreamy.”
“Oh, of course he is,” Kinsley rushed to say. “Scott is a very handsome man.”
Yes, Scott was very handsome. In a classic, straightforward kind of way. Elena’s gaze slid over to Lucas then, who was talking with a young family. Okay, maybe Lucas had a dreamy kind of quality about him. If intense blue eyes and exciting, rough-and-tumble attractiveness were her thing. Which they weren’t. She wanted a lasting commitment, and Lucas Albright carried around an aura that emanated “playboy,” which was probably one of the reasons why his marriage hadn’t lasted. Scott had mentioned a long time ago to her that there had been cheating involved.
“So what’s Lucas doing here anyway?” Arden asked. “I mean, besides brushing up on his Betty Crocker skills.”
“He’s in town on business.”
“Business here?”
Elena swallowed. She knew she would have to tell her friends about this sooner or later, but was hoping it wouldn’t have to be this soon. “Lucas is here working on a new ad campaign and wanted me to help out a little with it. He saw a sketch I did of Santa Claus and thought it would work. It’s no big deal.”
Arden’s eyes widened. “No big deal? His firm is one of the top advertising agencies in New York. His sister couldn’t stop bragging about that to me. It’s amazing they want to use something you drew.”
“That is fantastic, Elena,” Kinsley said, giving her a hug.
“Thanks. It is pretty flattering.”
“I had no idea you wanted a career as an artist.”
“Oh, no. It’s just a hobby.” She really belonged here at the hotel. In Cape Harmony. Where she was surrounded by “family.” She just still needed to make Scott understand that as well.
“Are you sure it’s not more?” Kinsley asked, looking worried. “Not that it wouldn’t be great and I’d totally support you, but…you’re not leaving me, are you?”
Elena smiled. “Nope. You know I love it here too much. I’m sure it’s just a onetime freelancing thing. I haven’t seen the final offer yet, but Lucas said the money would be pretty good. That will come in handy for Christmastime.” Assuming she could actually do the job. What did she really know about designing an ad campaign? She hoped this wasn’t all a big mistake.
Arden folded her arms. “So that’s why you’re being nice to Lucas now, huh? You have to work with him.”
She shrugged. “That and he has had a total change of heart about Scott and me. Lucas really wants to see us back together now.”
Arden’s gaze slid over to Lucas. “Really? He does, does he? Because the way he’s been looking over here at you tells me he really wants you for himself.”
Elena froze. “What? Oh, no. You’re wrong. Lucas isn’t like that at all.” Lucas couldn’t be interested in her. Arden’s comment was so ridiculous. Scott was his friend. Plus, they had a deal. She would agree to do his artwork and he would talk to Scott about him proposing again.
“You don’t find him attractive?” Arden asked.
“I—what? No!” Elena shook her head. “I mean, sure. But not in that way. Of course, he’s quite attractive. For someone else, that is.” Anyone else. Oh gosh, she was spluttering. She might have even accidentally spit, too. She needed to calm down. “We have nothing in common,” she added. “Lucas doesn’t even believe in marriage. For Pete’s sake, why are you even talking like this? There is no way I would have any interest in Lucas. I’m 100 percent Team Scott.”
Kinsley smiled. “Well, of course you’re Team Scott. And if he’s 110 percent Team Elena, then we’re Team Scott, too.”
Arden grumbled something unintelligible, and Kinsley smacked her. “Yes, of course we are Team Scott,” Arden huffed. “We would support any team as long as that team made you happy.”
Elena let out a grateful breath. “Thank you. I am happy.” Sort of. Or soon would be. Once she and Scott were engaged again. Her future would then be on its way to becoming just as she’d always imagined.
“Ladies,” Lucas said, coming over and greeting them.
Elena looked up and their eyes connected and held for a few strangely intimate moments.
Arden cleared her throat then stuck out her hand. “Hi, Lucas. I don’t know if you remember, but I was the planner for your sister’s wedding.”
Lucas nodded. “I thought you looked familiar. You did a fantastic job. Michelle was thrilled.”
Arden’s smile widened. “Thanks.”
Elena motioned to Kinsley. “And of course, you remember my boss, Kinsley St. James.”
“Yes,” he said, failing to hold back a grin, “you have one hell of an Evil Eye there.”
Kinsley blushed. “Sorry. I’m not normally so rude. That’s when Elena said you were the Spawn of Voldemort.” She gasped. “Oops. I shouldn’t have said that.”
Lucas arched an eyebrow at Elena. “Voldemort, huh? I expected a little more creativity from you on the name, but I’ll give you a pass, since the description was probably apt at the time.”
Arden chuckled. “Oh, he’s funny. I like him.”
Irritation pricked Elena’s insides. She couldn’t remember Arden ever laughing at anything Scott had said. Lucas needed to dial down the playboy charm just a tad. Her friends were fawning all over him.
Besides, Lucas might be mildly amusing but he wasn’t that funny.
“Don’t you two have a movie to catch or something?” she asked her friends pointedly.
“Oh, yes,” Arden said, checking the time. “You’re right. Well, you crazy kids have fun.”
Kinsley waved a finger at them. “But not too much fun.”
Then they said their goodbyes and, in a fit of giggles, left.
Elena rolled her eyes. “Sorry about them.”
“You don’t have to apologize. It’s nice to have friends like that. They seem to look out for you.”
Yes, that was true. She was very lucky to have her friends. If not for them, she would have been completely isolated after losing her parents. She didn’t know what she would have done without their support and guidance. “Kind of like how you were looking out for Scott when you told him to rethink getting married? I guess I can understand your motive a little better now if that was the case.”
He sighed. “Yeah, kind of like that. But like I told you, I was really looking out for both of you. I didn’t want you two going through what I did.”
Obviously, Lucas felt bad about his own marriage ending. But she still had a hard time believing that Lucas had her best interests at heart. Scott was such a great guy and always treated her with respect and devotion. She and Scott loved each other. What doubts could there be?
“I’m over it.” She beamed up at him. “Especially because I know you’ll do your best to fix everything with Scott for me, right?”
Lucas smiled, but there was a troubling shadow in his eyes that dimmed her spirits.
“I’ll do my best,” he said.
…
“Like I always say, nothing says ‘happy holidays’ like octopus tacos.”
Elena laughed as they left the restaurant. “But you liked them, didn’t you?”
He shrugged. “They were okay.”
Who was he kidding? That was one of the best dinners he’d had in weeks, and he’d dined in some of New York’s finest restaurants. Not bad for a so-called “rinky-dink” shore town.
Elena shoved him playfully then began bundling her neck up in her striped scarf. The scarf didn’t match her coat and seemed longer than Elena’s body. She had to wind it around her neck and shoulders a few times so she wouldn’t trip.
“That’s quite a scarf,” Lucas said.
“Oh, this?” she said, fingering the fringe with fondness. “Arden and her husband Wade bought it for me at a Doctor Who convention. They gave it to me for my birthday.”
“Doctor Who, the sci-fi show?”<
br />
“Yes, they’re both diehard fans. Sometimes they invite me over for marathon nights. The fourth doctor is my favorite, and he always wore a scarf that looked like this.”
“I’ve never seen an episode.”
“I don’t think we can be friends then. Sorry,” she said with a chuckle.
Lucas slowed his pace, curious to hear the answer to his next question. “Is that what we are now, Elena? Friends?”
Because he’d liked the sound of that more than he thought he would. He’d always enjoyed Elena’s company whenever he’d gone out with her and Scott. But getting to know her one-on-one like this made him realize how much he truly liked spending time with her—even if it involved decorating gingerbread houses or eating octopus tacos.
Elena blinked as if weighing the implications of her words. “Um, yes.” She sent him a sheepish smile. “I guess we are friends now.”
He smiled back, admiring how the Christmas lights in the store windows they passed made her dark hair sparkle like moonlight on a calm lake.
Sparkles in her hair?
Oh, heck no. He shouldn’t be admiring her hair or anything else about Elena. What was wrong with him? He was supposed to help them get back together. And Elena certainly wouldn’t appreciate him messing up her engagement to Scott all over again. She’d kick his ass. Hell, if Lucas could, he’d definitely kick his own ass.
Elena perked up when they reached the end of the street. “Oh, look, there’s City Hall.”
They walked over to the impressive older building lined with rows of white columns in the front and a large clock in the center of its top. Christmas wreaths adorned every window and there was a tall, decorated Christmas tree on the front lawn.
“The tree lighting is next week,” she told him. “You should go to it. There’s singing beforehand and Santa will come down from the roof there with the assistance of a fire department ladder truck.”
The wind kicked up and he finally decided it was time to take the gloves out of his coat pocket. “Um, not sure if that’s really my thing.”
She chuckled. “Well, you’re the one who said he had to work on his Christmas spirit.”
“Yeah, but I was thinking more—”
Romancing His Rival Page 9
