"So will you join me?"
"Don't you need to get back to the city?"
Jason shook his head. "I'm in no hurry. Have dinner with me."
Chloe lifted her eyes to look at the people that came and went from the shop, and then those walking on the street. When she let her eyes settle back on him, he found that they were warm and inviting now. Was she realizing he was there to be her friend?
"I'll meet you at the Inn at seven," she offered.
"I look forward to it."
Pulling her hand away from his, she stood. "Thank you for the drink." Biting down on her lip she took one more moment to look at him. "Your scar doesn't look too bad."
Jason chuckled as he lifted his fingers to his brow. "I considered the fact that I'd think of you every day of my life."
Her eyes grew wide. "I'm so sorry."
"Don't be. It was a good thought."
She seemed to be rendered speechless then as she turned and walked out of the coffee shop.
Chapter 24
Chloe knew that the only reason Melanie didn't say anything to her when she walked back into the store was because there was a line at the register and six others window shopping.
Quickly, Chloe discarded her coat in the back and headed to the floor to help the shoppers. Only at Christmas time, in a small Christmas town, could one hide out better than in the big city.
It was nearly four o'clock when the crowds dwindled. The sound of Santa's bells rang out beyond the door as he paraded with his elves away from the center of town and back to the North Pole for the night. Soon, small ensembles would gather on each end of town to entertain those who took in the spirit of Christmas in the dark with twinkling lights and warm smells from the vendors.
As Chloe untied her apron, seeing that Melanie's other employee was coming to take the evening shift, she started toward the back when Melanie cut off her exit with a can of Coke in her hand as if to bribe her to stay a few more minutes.
"I didn't get to hear about your coffee break."
"Nothing to hear about, I guess," Chloe said as she took the Coke from Melanie and slid past her.
But, her escape was useless. Melanie followed, closing the door behind her.
"C'mon. You're the small town girl that got away to the big city and now you're back here. Not only that, hello!, handsome stranger comes looking for you, too. You have a story and I want to hear it."
Chloe dropped into the chair at the small table they used for breaks and opened the can of Coke. "There's not much to tell. He's the man they hired to take the position I thought I was getting promoted for. I land the biggest account in the history of the firm, and suddenly I'm no longer an asset to the company, and they hire the woman he used to work with. The woman he told me harassed him and caused him to leave his job. It's just a lot to take in."
Melanie sat in the seat across the table from her. "He didn't seem like some vicious, corporate, kiss-ass."
Sipping from the can, Chloe gave that some thought. "He's not. I genuinely think he's a nice guy."
"And he's in Aubrey Heights why?"
"I have no idea. As far as I'm concerned, I owe him nothing and vice-versa. The account is in good hands with him. And, hell, I got my licks in. Did you see the fresh mark above his eye? I did that."
"You did that? What, did you take a hockey stick to his face?"
Chloe laughed as she set the can on the table. "Stapler."
"That's one way to make an impression."
And didn't he say it would make him think of her for the rest of his life? "I just think city life has lost its luster. I miss the pace here. I miss Christmas festivities and Fourth of July down by the lake. There has to be more than busy city streets and people coming for your job."
"Do you think he's here to take you back?"
Chloe shrugged. "I'm nothing to him. Besides I have a job offer for after the first of the year. I just need to decide if I want something that big again."
"I've known you since we were little. You always had big aspirations." Melanie stood as the bell over the front door rang for the hundredth time that day. "Are you going to talk to him again?"
Nodding, Chloe picked up the can and took another sip. "I told him I'd have dinner with him tonight."
"That's a start. And just so you know, you have a secure job here for as long as you like. It's nice to have you around again. I missed you. But, you're also big city now, and I mean that in a good way. I think you'd tire from all of this the moment the holidays were over. Think about that."
What was left for her but to think about that?
She thought about heading home and changing before dinner, but that would only stir up conversations she wasn't ready to have with her mother. Maybe she'd stroll up and down Main Street and take in the evening sights, too.
Jason sat at the small desk in his room at the Aubrey Heights Inn. It certainly had a cute, small town appeal. The lace drapes on the windows, the small rose print on the bedspread and the chair upholstery, and the antique dresser took a traveler back in time.
He could smell the scents from the small restaurant at the Inn, which he'd noticed only had ten tables at most. Because he was big city, he'd made sure to reserve one of those tables, just in case the town was overrun by hungry patrons at seven o'clock.
The glow from his laptop screen illuminated the room as the sun had tucked itself in early. For the first time in Jason's life, he sat there staring at the string of emails, not wanting to answer a single one.
Through adulthood, he'd been all business. He'd been in the business club in high school, followed with a bachelor’s degree, and then a master’s degree. There wasn't anything about business he didn't know—except how to walk away from it.
Advertising had always called to him. He'd been ten-years-old when he'd opened his first lemonade stand and learned the skillful maneuvering of marketing. He'd been eleven when he'd purchased that mountain bike everyone had their eye on. He'd been twelve when he'd replaced it because someone had stolen it. The one part of it all that stayed constant was that Jason Mitchell could sell anything with an ad campaign.
It had worked for him when he'd run for student council, and no bake sale or car wash had ever made more money. Oh, he'd always known he'd end up at the top of firm bringing in big accounts.
What he hadn't planned on was someone like Deborah King standing in his way and swatting him down. When he'd left Stockton Advertising, he thought things could only go upward. Mason Arts was where he was supposed to make his mark.
Now, he sat in a small hotel room contemplating his future.
Outside his window, the streetlights, decorated with wreaths and ribbons, illuminated the snow-covered street filled with tourists and locals soaking in the Christmas spirit. Every store was still open, and he was sure that was for the season as well. It had to be profitable enough to hire extra employees and bring in more stock.
Jason eased back in his chair. What could he offer the fine people of Aubrey Heights? They were already well known for their Christmas festivities. Could his talents make the following Christmas even more profitable for the citizens?
He stood and walked to the nightstand where there lay a brochure on the many wonders that Aubrey Heights offered all year round.
There was a lake hidden back in the hills about two miles where it looked as if the Fourth of July was a big hit with fireworks and festivities.
Starting in June, and running through September, there was a farmers' market just on the outskirts of town. A Harvest Festival filled the streets, according to the photos, in October. And he should have known that the Easter bunny would have an enormous egg hunt in the spring.
Perhaps Aubrey Heights was worth giving a chance.
Would Chloe be staying in town as well? That was the million-dollar question. What did she have left back in the city?
Chapter 25
There had been some contemplation about not showing up. But, if Chloe Richardson was anything,
she was true to her word. Not like others she'd worked with—William Mason for example.
She'd walked through the shops and lingered near the Christmas tree in the center of town to take in the ambiance.
In the past two weeks, she'd had many meals with Jason, but her stomach twisted and turned when she'd headed toward the Inn to have dinner with him.
She wasn't entirely sure what he was doing in Aubrey Heights. Of course, she hadn't given him much time to tell her either. All she knew was she wanted him gone. Having him that close to her seemed to be stirring up hurt feelings, and she didn't need that. The city had rejected her. She didn't need the city following her to her safe haven and rejecting her there too.
Walking up the front steps to the Inn filled Chloe with a joy she hadn't expected. The lights from inside bathed the wrap-around porch in warmth. Christmas lights hung from the gutters and twinkled as if they played to a silent song.
She could smell the aromas that floated from the kitchen before she even opened the door to the cozy inside.
Guests lingered in the formal living room, and the sound of dishes clinking, and conversation instantly filled her ears.
"I'm glad you made it." She heard Jason's voice behind her and turned to see him standing there. Other than gym clothes, she realized it was the first time she'd seen him look casual. Was he wearing jeans and a sweater that afternoon?
His dark hair fell over his brow, hiding the scar she'd given him when they'd met. And his eyes, they were a deeper shade of blue than she'd remembered.
Swallowing down the lump that had lodged in her throat, she forced a smile to her lips. "I told you I'd be here."
The smile that formed on his lips was gentle. "They have our table right inside, by the window."
Gesturing with his hand, he escorted her inside the dining room. Chloe nodded to those she knew and watched those she didn't know look up at her as she passed through. Small town. Everyone noticed everyone.
Jason pulled out her seat.
"Thank you," she said as she sat and he took the adjacent seat. "It smells delightful in here."
"They had cookies in the living room. I think I had six of them. If their suppers are as good, I'm never leaving."
Her breath caught in her lungs. He didn't mean that, she told herself as she laid her napkin in her lap. Aubrey Heights wasn't the kind of place for a corporate man.
A woman who had been into the store earlier that morning approached that table wearing a white frilly apron. She introduced herself, handed them each a small printed menu, and explained the dinner choices. They both chose the comfort of Shepherd’s Pie, and Jason ordered them a bottle of wine. They sat in awkward silence as it was delivered and poured.
One glass wouldn't hurt, Chloe decided as she folded her hands in her lap beneath the table.
Jason lifted his glass of wine and held it toward her, cuing her to lift her glass. "Here's to a town filled with Christmas spirit like no other."
Chloe tapped her glass to his. "To Christmas spirit," she repeated before taking a sip.
She couldn't help but notice that as he drank, his eyes stayed on her. Was her hair a mess? Did she have something on her face?
"You look beautiful tonight," he said as he set his glass on the table.
"Why are you here?" she had to ask. If it was to ask her back, she didn't think she could go. If it was to tell her to stay away, he could have done that with an email.
Before he answered, he lifted his glass and took a long sip from his wine. "I needed to see you."
"If you came all this way to ask me to go back to the firm…"
"I didn't."
"Well, then if you want the inside information on Gloria Vandenberg…"
"I don't."
"You sure as hell didn't have a trip planned to come Christmas shopping."
Jason shrugged as the waitress came to the table with their dinner plates and set them down. "God, this looks delicious. I can't remember the last time I had this," he said digging his fork into the creamy potatoes. "Now I remember," he said with his mouth full, and his face showing the obvious signs of enjoyment—including his eyes closing. "My grandmother would make this. Damn, now I really miss her."
Chloe picked up her fork and took a bite. She'd had that meal at the Inn before. It was a tradition for New Year's, and she'd probably have it again when she came with her parents before the fireworks were set off, ringing in the new year.
What would a new year bring? A trip to Brazil and a new opportunity, she thought. Should she tell Jason about that? Why should she? He hadn't even told her what he was doing in Aubrey Heights.
* * *
Every bite he took of his dinner made Jason miss his grandmother just a little more. Oh, he wasn't going to be some big sobbing baby, but he could admit to himself, at least, that he felt the tears choking him.
His grandmother lived in a small town not far from Aubrey Heights. He understood the appeal of knowing everyone and centering your life around traditions.
They had a large Christmas tree in that town too—nothing like in Aubrey Heights, but it was memorable.
Santa could always find him at his grandmother's house, and he thought that was extra special. The man was miraculous, and that had him chuckling.
"What's so funny?" Chloe asked.
"I was thinking about how smart Santa is."
Her brows drew together as she watched him devour his dinner.
"You don't still believe in Santa, do you?"
Jason picked up his wine and sipped. "Not since Cole Zimmerman spilled the beans in the fifth grade. What a jerk."
"Maybe he saved your life. You certainly didn't want to go into high school without knowing those specifics."
Jason laughed as he took another bite.
Perhaps she was loosening up. He'd seen that they were having carriage rides on the street. Maybe he could convince her to take one with him.
"Do you work tomorrow?" he asked as he eased back in his chair, his stomach full from the food he had shoveled in.
"Of course. Tomorrow is Wednesday and Melanie's store is in its Christmas rush."
"Right."
Chloe blotted her mouth with her napkin and her gaze fixed on him. "Do you work tomorrow?" she asked, and he could see the worry settle in her eyes.
"To tell you the truth, I'm fairly sure by tomorrow I won't have a job."
"They let you go too? Is that why you're here?"
Jason eased forward and rested his arms on the table. "I knew you didn't walk out. I just knew you wouldn't do that."
"That only explains why I left. I don't need to be where I'm not wanted."
Jason reached his hand across the table and covered hers. "And I don't want to be where you're not."
Chapter 26
Chloe sat there, rendered speechless. Jason's thumb brushed over her knuckles. Her breath stuck in her lungs and her heart hammered in her chest.
He'd left the city because she wasn't in it?
What was she supposed to do with that information?
When Jason moved his head, his hair parted so that she could see the scar that had formed on his forehead. She'd done that to him, and now here he was holding her hand and telling her he didn't want to be where she wasn't?
She needed to breathe. She needed a moment to collect her thoughts. She needed…
"Is there anything else I can get for you?" The waitress had returned to the table.
Jason, his hand still on Chloe's, looked up at the waitress. "I think we're going to need a few boxes to take home the rest of our dinner."
He was right. How could she even consider eating after that?
When the waitress had left, Jason leaned in, his eyes searching hers.
"Are you okay?"
Chloe shook her head. "No. Why did you say that?"
"That we needed boxes? Because you haven't taken any more bites and I'm so full that…"
"No. Why did you say you didn't want to be where I wasn't?
"
His lips parted into a glorious smile that made her go lightheaded.
"Let's finish this conversation outside," he offered as he pulled his hand back from hers when the waitress delivered the foam boxes.
* * *
He'd spooked her, though he hadn't meant to. In his opinion there just wasn't any reason not to put it out there. They didn't work together anymore, and that had been his rule—no dating co-workers. What continued to play in his mind was that embrace they had shared in his office. It hadn't been just a celebration—no it went much deeper than that. There were feelings between them, and he didn't want to chance losing his opportunity to share his thoughts on that. What if she was still in love with Tyler Ashby? Old flames could reignite. If he didn't take his chance now, he'd never get another one.
Should she turn him away, he could go back to the city and find a new job. He wasn't without opportunity. But in his heart, he didn't want to go back without her.
Jason paid the bill, picked up the box of food, and followed when Chloe stood and started for the door.
She struggled with her coat as they walked through the door and out onto the porch that surround the Inn. Jason lifted his hand to help her.
"I've got it," she snapped. Oh, yeah, he'd frazzled her.
"What do you say we take a walk around town? Maybe take a carriage ride?" he offered, but his suggestions were met with an icy stare.
"I don't understand why you're here. You're not here to ask me to come back to my job—and I won't come back. I will not work for people who don't appreciate me. And Deb can have my office, that's fine. I won't steal Pop! Cosmetics out from under you either."
Turning, Jason set the box of food on a nearby rocking chair and turned back to face her. "Do you think that's why I'm here?"
"I can't imagine any other reason than to either ask me back or ask me to stay away. And whatever that was about in there, that whole thing about you not wanting to be where I'm not—you're going to lose your job spending time here. I don't know why…"
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