by Annie Rains
Heat tore through her as she remembered what he’d done.
“I hope they catch the Grinch and dress him in candy cane stripes, then put him on a float for the Seaside Christmas Parade.”
Allison laughed. “You’ve got it all planned out.”
“It would serve the thief right, ruining people’s holidays like that….So, in other news, Lawson is doing a military training at Camp Leon tonight. I know it’s Tuesday Tip-Backs at Heroes, but I thought, if you weren’t busy, we could go buy those presents for the kids at Mercy’s Place instead.”
Allison smiled. “Sounds great to me.” Her social calendar was usually pretty open. She could have agreed to nearly any day of the week that Julie offered to go shopping together, except last night. Last night she’d been occupied with Troy. Thus the real reason she was humming through the office this morning.
“Okay. Want to pick me up at my place and we’ll head downtown together? My car is still in the shop,” Julie said. “And I don’t like to drive Lawson’s big truck. We could grab a bite to eat as well.”
“Sounds good.” Allison watched Julie head off in her yoga attire, ready to do a day of classes with the local vets and their families. She went around her desk and sat down to handle the business side of things. She had order forms to put together for Mr. Banks. And paychecks to make out. There were also phone calls to return.
And she wasn’t going to get any of that done thinking about her pretend boyfriend.
Her phone rang on her desk and she picked up. “Seaside Veterans’ Center. Allison Carmichael speaking,” she answered.
“Allison!” a woman’s voice greeted her. “This is Margaret at Mercy’s Place. How are you?”
“Good, Margaret! How are you? How are the kids?”
Margaret laughed softly. “Good, good. Everyone is good. Just calling to check on the status of the children’s gifts.”
“I’m shopping for them with a friend tonight, actually.”
“Thank you so much. This is going to mean so much to these kids.”
“I know it will.” And it filled Allison’s heart with joy to help out.
“I have another favor to ask you,” Margaret said.
“Name it.”
“Well, our Santa Claus designee broke his leg last night.”
“Oh, no!” Allison leaned back in her chair. “That’s awful.”
“Yeah. And I don’t think the kids will buy in to a Santa who has to deliver toys to every boy and girl in the world while on crutches.”
“That does complicate things.”
“I know you work with a lot of Marines there at the Veterans’ Center. Do you think you could round one up to play the part? It’s just an hour of wearing a padded suit and smiling for the kids.”
“Of course I can, Margaret. I would do anything to make sure those kids have the best Christmas possible. When is it?”
“This Saturday at three o’clock.”
Allison scribbled the time and date on the yellow notepad beside her. Her family’s Christmas party was at seven that same night. She could attend this event at Mercy’s Place before heading to her parents’ house, which was only a few miles away. “I’ll handle it.”
“Oh, thank you so much,” Margaret said.
Allison stared at the phone after hanging up. She pulled her lower lip into her mouth and nibbled softly, knowing exactly who should play the role of Santa for the kids at Mercy’s Place. Troy was already hers for that night. They could go together and spread joy to the children before being suffocated by her well-intentioned relatives.
Now all she had to do was figure out how to convince him.
For the rest of the morning Allison hummed her way through paperwork, doing her best to keep her mind focused. She headed out at lunch and grabbed a sandwich to eat at a picnic table outside the Veterans’ Center. Even though it was chilly outside, sitting in direct view of the sun kept her comfortable. She liked to be visible for the people who came to the Center. Liked getting to know them and helping in any way possible. That was part of her job—one of her favorite parts.
“Hey there, Allison.” A middle-aged man came to sit opposite her at the table.
“Henry. Haven’t seen you here in a while.”
Henry used to attend the Center in the fall, when Julie had teamed up with the newly hired nutritionist to teach a healthy-cooking class.
“I’ve been busy,” he said, massaging the sides of his face.
Allison studied him. “How are you?” she asked, thinking that he looked tired. His skin had a pale yellow tone to it. There were bags under his bloodshot eyes. “Everything okay?”
He didn’t meet her gaze. “It’s just a tough time of year.”
Allison nodded. A lot of people struggled during the holidays. Especially those who lived alone and had no support system in place. The Veterans’ Center could serve as that support system, though. “Are you hungry?” she asked.
“More than a little. It’s all right, though. I’ll grab something—”
Allison pushed her unopened lunch toward him. “Sandwich from the Seaside Café. I haven’t touched it and, truth be told, I’m not very hungry.” Which was a lie. Her stomach tightened as a sincere smile lifted on her lips. She could grab a bag of chips from the vending machines to tide her over.
“Thank you,” Henry said, taking the food.
“You’re welcome. And don’t be a stranger around here. I miss seeing you.”
“I didn’t think anyone would even notice I was staying away.”
Allison tilted her head. “Of course we notice, Henry. You’re part of the family here.”
“Allison?” Someone called from the back door of the Center.
She turned toward Jill, the nutritionist hired for the new Health and Wellness wing. “Yes?”
“Mr. Banks is on the phone for you,” Jill said.
Allison stood. “Coming.” She turned back to look at Henry. “Enjoy your lunch. See you again soon?”
Henry gave the slightest of nods. He looked undergroomed as well as exhausted. Maybe adding a personal care class would be a good idea, she thought, waving and heading inside. She’d put it on the list of things she wanted to propose to Mr. Banks for the new year.
—
On Tuesday night, Troy sat in a booth at the Chinese restaurant where he’d agreed to meet his mom and tapped his fingers on the table. She was late as usual. He didn’t mind. What he did mind was the six-foot-tall Christmas tree decorated with rainbow-colored lights in the corner of the small dining area. The whole reason he’d picked a Chinese sit-down place was because he thought they wouldn’t be celebrating the season. Now his mother was going to guilt-trip him over seeing this tree and not hers.
Bells jingled as the entrance door opened and his mother breezed in. She was dressed in red and white from head to toe, the picture-perfect image of Mrs. Claus.
He couldn’t help but smile. He stood and wrapped his arms around her short, stout body. “Hey, Mom. Good to see you.”
She laughed softly as she always did with a hug. She was like one of those dolls that giggled when you squeezed it. “I’m so glad to see you, too, son. Although I wish—”
“Ahnnn.” Troy made a buzzer sound and sat down at the table. “The genie is not granting wishes tonight.”
His mother frowned for a millisecond, then her brilliant smile returned. “Okay. But your brother—”
“Ahnnn.” Troy tapped an imaginary buzzer and grinned wickedly.
“Always the jokester,” she commented, shaking her head. “Some things never change. And thank God for that.” She winked back.
His mother was one of the only people in the world who’d never wanted to change him. His teachers in school had always wanted him to sit still, be quiet, focus. His father had wanted him to be a star quarterback and work the family business after school. The women he’d dated since being an adult had wanted him to commit, settle down, be something he wasn’t and probably never would be
.
His mother, though, had only ever loved exactly who he was, faults and cracks and all.
“Love you, Mom,” he said, reaching for one of the vinyl menus to place in front of her.
“You, too.” She giggled again.
“Even though you keep trying to drag me home.”
She lifted her gaze and tapped her own pretend buzzer. “Ahnnn.” Her giggles increased.
He nodded. “So you were paying attention.”
The waitress came and they placed their order. The food arrived quickly, and as they ate they talked about his work, the renovations he had planned for his home, her own home-improvement projects, and New Year’s resolutions.
“Do you have a girlfriend?” she asked, as she forked some lo mein into her mouth.
Allison came to mind. “Not a real one,” he said truthfully. Just a pretend one who was dominating his dreams these days.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means…” His fork rested against his plate. “You know me, Mom. Me and commitments don’t get along.”
“That’s hardly true. You’ve been in the Marines for how long?” she asked.
“Eleven years.”
She smiled at him. “I’m so proud of you, Troy.”
“Proud enough to decorate a Christmas tree with yellow ribbons?” he asked, unable to help himself. They weren’t talking about his brother David or David’s lack of support tonight. Tonight was just about visiting with his mother.
She sighed. “I would in a heartbeat. I don’t want to ruffle feathers with your brother David, though. You know how he is. But I tell all of my friends about my son in the Marine Corps. It’s a noble job, son.”
Troy nodded. “Thank you.”
“And I think you just haven’t met the right woman yet. I know you and Jess had a thing way back when, but she was never it for you. You never loved her the way a man loves a woman. When you meet the right one, committing won’t be a choice. She’ll steal your heart away and you’ll never get it back. That’s how love works.”
Allison popped up in his thoughts again. For the last twenty-four hours she’d been like a computer virus. Between every thought, there she was. Her green eyes, red hair. An unrelenting, beautiful virus, and he was infected. He’d get her out of his system, though. Most likely after this crazy deal he’d found himself in was finished.
And then, as if his imagination had come to life, the door jingled and a beautiful redhead walked into the restaurant.
Troy choked on a spear of steamed broccoli he was chewing.
“You all right?” His mother reached over and patted his back.
“Fine.” His gaze slid to Allison, who had spotted him now, too.
A small smile curved her lips as her blond friend stepped up beside her. Troy recognized the friend as Julie Chandler. She worked with Allison at the Vets’ Center.
His mother followed his gaze. “I don’t need to ask which one has your attention,” she said. “You always had a thing for red hair.”
Troy coughed again. From the corner of his eye he saw the ladies take a seat on the other side of the small dining area. The same waitress serving Troy and his mother walked over to Allison and Julie and gave them menus.
“I’ve never dated a redhead before.”
“No, but you like them. You loved your babysitter, Kayla. And that high school English teacher of yours. I know why you made A’s that year.”
Troy shook his head. “Maybe I just liked Shakespeare.”
His mom raised a brow and glanced over at the women. “You can go say hi. I don’t mind. In fact, I insist. It’d be rude not to.”
Troy frowned. “Rude? She’s just a friend, Mom.” He cleared his throat. Damn.
“You clear your throat when you’re fibbing, Troy Robert Matthews.”
Yeah, he’d never gotten away with anything thanks to that tell. “If I say hi, will you drop the subject and enjoy the rest of our visit?”
“Gladly.” His mother lifted her chin as if to say that the decision had been made.
“Fine.” He slid out of the booth and walked over to where Allison and Julie were seated. “Ladies. I would recommend the beef. It’s pretty good here.”
They smiled at him.
“Hi, Troy,” Julie said. “Is that your mom?”
“Yeah. She practically forced me to come over. Said I’d be rude if I didn’t. And I’m not a rude guy.” He looked at Allison. She was dressed in a green sweater. With her strawberry tones, she was the image of Christmas in a way markedly different from his mother. His mother looked like Mrs. Claus, and Allison looked like Christmas sex. He remembered how she’d looked naked in her bed last night, asking him to have sex with her, practically begging him. How she’d looked when she’d climaxed.
His throat was suddenly dry.
She was thinking of last night, too. He could tell by the way she was staring at him, half mortified, he guessed, and half ready to jump his bones.
“Hey,” he said, addressing her this time.
“Hey.”
There was an electric current running between them. It charged his body and, if they weren’t in a public place, he’d have had to touch her. And touching her would lead to more, things they’d both agreed they didn’t want from each other.
“I’ll see you Saturday night,” he told Allison, needing to create distance between them before his pants got so tight that everyone in the restaurant would know what he was thinking, including his mother. He started to turn around.
Allison held up a finger. “Wait. I actually need to ask you another favor.” She rolled her lips together. “It’s tiny, though. Not a big deal. I’ll just call you about it tomorrow.”
A promise to hear from her tomorrow made him willing to say yes to whatever the favor might be. What was up with him? “Sure. Talk to you then. Bye, Julie.” He turned and headed back to his mom, who’d been nosily watching like he knew she would.
—
“What was that?” Julie asked, eyes widening as she looked at Allison.
“What?” Allison lifted her shoulders.
“You know what. That electricity that was snapping between you two.” She fanned herself. “That was scorching.”
Allison waved a hand even as her skin burned. Was she that transparent? “You’re crazy.”
Julie shook her head. “Nope. You are so busted crushing on Mr. Hot Marine.”
The waitress returned and placed their orders in front of them.
Allison pulled her plate closer to her. “I might have a tiny crush on him.” She shook her head. “Nothing my mother won’t extinguish when he escorts me to my family’s party this weekend.”
Julie chewed and swallowed. “Right. She’s pretty critical of who you date. Like that guy you dated a while back,” Julie said, taking another bite of her food.
Allison rolled her eyes. “My mother was right about him, though. She’s been right about them all.” Allison glanced over at Troy. “I wonder what she’ll find wrong this time.”
Julie cocked her head. “What if she doesn’t find anything? Would you date him for real?”
“I don’t know. I’m not really looking for anything real right now.” Except ever since the auction, she’d suddenly felt a crater-sized void in her life. Maybe it was time to start putting herself out there again.
She looked at Julie. “I don’t even need to consider that option. Because my mother always uncovers the hidden flaw in a man. I swear, if I ever want to get married I’ll have to keep my mother and future husband separated. Indefinitely.”
Julie laughed. “My mom is the opposite. She thinks Lawson hung the moon and stars, and I swear if she were younger she’d be trying to steal him away.”
Allison laughed, and then saw Troy stand from the corner of her eye.
She waved.
He waved.
Then he and his mother walked out into the dark night.
Some part of her was ready for her mother to re
veal his big bad flaw, because every time she saw him her heart did this little dance. Her crush grew ten times its size. One more round of making out with him—although last night had been a lot more than making out—and she’d be cooked.
After dinner and an hour more of shopping for the children of Mercy’s Place, Allison dropped Julie off and returned home. She slipped out of her shoes and stumbled tiredly down the hall toward her bed, which made her think of the man in question. He’d been invited to her bed last night, but he’d shown restraint even though his eyes relayed that he’d wanted her as much as she wanted him.
She set her cellphone on her nightstand and collapsed with a heavy sigh onto her mattress. She didn’t intend to move again until morning. Then her phone rang. She planned on ignoring it but decided to answer at the last minute. “Hello?”
“What’s the favor?” Troy asked.
“Can’t wait until tomorrow, huh?” A smile curved her lips.
“Nope. And unless you want me to trigger your new alarm system, I suggest you open your front door and tell me.”
Allison’s eyes widened. “You’re at my door?”
“Yep.”
She sat up. “Why?”
“I told you. I need to know the favor. Also, I’ve been patrolling your neighborhood.”
She headed toward the door feeling that familiar tumble of her heart. She tapped in the security code and then opened her front door.
“Hi,” she said, suddenly feeling breathless.
“Hi,” he said in a low sexy voice.
Everything about Troy was so, so sexy.
“Want to come inside?” she asked.
He took a step closer. “Yeah.”
Chapter 10
Troy had jogged to Allison’s home. This time he’d had his phone on him in case he saw something suspicious in the neighborhood. The thief must’ve taken the night off, though, which was lucky for Troy because that meant he could pay his pretend girlfriend a visit.
“I’m kind of sweaty,” he told Allison as he entered the front room.
She shrugged. “I work with sweaty men. I’m not turned off.” Her cheeks flushed. “Or turned on…Would you like something to drink?”
