Winter Dreams

by Robyn Neeley

  “You can’t just sell it.” Blake smelled the familiar cinnamon that accompanied Halle as she joined them and instinctively put his hand on her back, but instead of merely resting it he slid it around to hold her waist close to him. Under different circumstances he would’ve let the sensation of her curves rubbed against his body sink in.

  “Yes. I can.”

  Blake turned to Halle, working to keep his expression neutral. She didn’t deserve the full brunt of his anger. “We’re leaving.”

  He was not having this conversation with his liquored-up father tonight. He was having a good time and just wanted to enjoy seeing Halle again. It had been an exceedingly long week since he’d seen her last. Of course his father would turn a perfectly good night sour in a hurry.

  Halle searched his eyes and, without saying another word, ambled with him through the crowds of people, deftly avoiding any conversations.

  The sad thing was this time Blake had actually raised his expectations. His holiday obligations weren’t so annoying with Halle by his side. Halle. The woman who still didn’t acknowledge the kiss between them, which forced Blake to pretend it didn’t happen either.

  The fact that he brought a date to the functions seemed to be keeping his family in check—or rather was keeping his family in check.

  “What was that about?” Halle questioned after he pulled out of the parking lot.

  “Nothing.” Blake growled.

  The last thing he wanted to do right now was explain. He sped up to get Halle home quicker. I want to be alone.

  “Come on,” she prodded. “The thing with your dad.”

  “It was nothing.” He hoped the edge in his voice was clear. Another one down. I can’t wait for this month to be over.

  “It didn’t look like nothing,” she said, her concern obvious. “It definitely looked like something.”

  “Frankly,” he looked at Halle and then back to the road, “It’s not your business. It doesn’t concern you. If it did, then I’d tell you.”

  There was silence. Just perfect. Now I’m the ass. Blake huffed. He stuck his chin out slightly. I’m right though. She’s still practically a stranger. A stranger he wanted to kiss and tell his innermost thoughts to, but only an outpouring of jumbled words would come out right now if he tried to explain himself. It wasn’t going to happen tonight.

  The stillness stretched for blocks. He rubbed the back of his neck and pressed his lips together. She doesn’t deserve my attitude. He glanced at her again. The street lights rolled over her face in the darkness. She was looking straight ahead. His side view of her beautiful face gave no indication she was happy. At least she cared enough to ask.

  “You don’t need to worry about it is all I meant,” his soft words elicited no response from her. “It’s something I have to deal with,” he tried again. Apparently it was still a no-go, based on the oppressive silence in his cab.

  He pulled up to her townhouse, cutting the engine. He didn’t want to look at her. She was upset, and he detested dealing with crying women. Ever since he had met this woman, his life was one big rollercoaster.

  “Halle.” He shifted now, deciding he had no choice. He sighed—he hated it when he didn’t have a choice.

  She looked at him, her eyes and face cool, devoid of emotion. Her lips were pursed together and she squinted at him. She still didn’t say a word. Instead she gathered her clutch and opened her door.

  What in the hell? This scenario was new to him. Usually when he was a prick, there was fighting, crying, or screaming—some emotion that usually made him want to throw himself into oncoming traffic. But apparently Halle was proving not all women were highly emotional. He didn’t know that type of woman existed. But was that a good thing? At least with the others he knew where he stood.

  Loss filled Blake’s throat. He couldn’t squelch his urge to know his status with her. It bubbled up inside him to the brink. He swallowed hard as he watched Halle’s determined steps make their way to her front door.

  Dammit. He rushed out of his truck, his heart pounding rapidly. He had to reach her before she disappeared behind her front door.

  “Halle,” he called out.

  She finished unlocking her front door and whirled around. “Yes?”

  Her green eyes were firm and unwavering. Blake took in a deep breath of crisp air. Should he kiss her? Could he get away with that? Would it be like the movies and they’d live happily ever after?

  “I’m sorry.”

  “For?” Her eyebrows rose.

  “Um…” Does she seriously not know? “Earlier.” He pointed behind to his truck with his thumb. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

  “Was it not true?”

  What is your game, woman? Blake scratched the back of his head. He was in some kind of twilight zone.

  He chortled; he didn’t know what to do. “It was true. You just didn’t deserve it put like that. I’m sorry. I don’t usually talk about those things.”

  “Maybe you should.” Halle walked into her place.

  “Are we still on for next week?”

  She narrowed her eyes at him and closed the door.

  Was that a yes?

  • • •

  “You should’ve seen his face when I shut the door.” Halle shook her head retelling last night’s events to Corrine in Just Dandy.

  “I can’t believe you didn’t say anything to him.” Her quirky friend leaned on the glass counter.

  “He was kinda right,” she continued, adding her newly made necklaces to the glass case. She’d made a lot of the pieces last night to deal with her frustration. “I mean, it’s really not my business.”

  “Still.”

  “Yeah, I wanted to rip his head off, but where would that have gotten me? Nowhere. And I need to go somewhere. Across town to be exact . . .” Halle’s voice trailed off.

  Corrine cocked her head and furrowed her brows. “What are you talking about?”

  In all the girl talk, she kept forgetting she hadn’t told Corrine the entire story. She didn’t even know Halle had applied for a loan the first time. She didn’t want to say anything until she knew for sure, which turned out to be wise since the loan didn’t go through. Now that the loan was going to happen, she had to tell her friend they’d no longer be store-mates. That moment didn’t feel like now.

  Halle shrugged, trying to play off her misstep. “Across town. The next thing is across town. I can’t believe we are almost halfway through December.”

  “You still gonna go to these things?” Corrine straightened, held a pair of pink chandelier earring up to the sides of her face and looked into the mirror on the counter. “I don’t care how long you’ve known him, he sounds like an ass.”

  “No, he’s not; not really. I think I hit a nerve.”

  Halle knew about Blake’s type of family life and how stressful it could be. There were standards to be met and someone always telling you what to do. She didn’t blame Blake for being irritated, although she didn’t think taking it out on her was necessary. She pursed her lips to one side. She’d been naïve to think they were in the friend zone and he’d talk to her, as if she were someone special to him. She sighed and returned to displaying her necklaces.

  Things with Blake may be stationary, at best, but her relationship with her dad wasn’t. She was dreading the call to tell him that she was moving her store to a new location. It would be satisfying to say the words—that was a fact—but he’d try to talk her out of it, then get mad and they’d fight. That was their cycle.

  “Hey, what did you say he looked like again?” Corrine reached for a candy cane from one of Halle’s display Christmas trees in the front window.

  “Tall, dark, and handsome.” So handsome. She slid the last necklace into the case and remembered the feeling of Blake’s hand on her back, tender yet commanding. Mmm. She melted at that simple act every time and didn’t think she’d ever view something so effortless the same again.

  “’Cause I think he’s he
re.”

  Halle’s head shot up. “What?”

  “He’s coming in!” Corrine rushed to the counter and tried to look nonchalant in her yellow track suit just as the front door jingled.

  Within seconds, Halle found herself face to face with her date—no, business partner—from last night. His brown eyes were fixed on her, intense and demanding. Her stomach fluttered and a streak of adrenaline prickled the tips of her fingers.

  “I thought I’d find you here,” Blake’s voice was calm and collected.

  “Savvy.” Halle kept her tone light; she felt anything but. Her heartbeat quickened as Blake’s familiar scent soaked into her senses.

  “Listen, about last night.” He tousled his ball cap, scratching his head. “I wanted to make sure you and I are still on for our deal.”

  Their eyes locked and she searched his. She wasn’t completely sure what she was looking for, but as she explored, his face relaxed, he was no longer grinding his teeth, and his eyes looked at her differently . . . almost with desire. No, that couldn’t be. Surely she was projecting. He was the same jerk from last night.

  This is for the business loan. Halle suppressed her urge to say no, their deal was off. Okay, so she wasn’t a part of his world—he was the one who had invited her. And no, they weren’t friends. But, just because they weren’t didn’t mean they couldn’t be. She wasn’t going to blab his business around town; the same as she expected from him.

  Halle hadn’t told anyone about her need for a business loan. Including Blake. She’d gotten so caught up in the not-dating situation; she hadn’t realized her own reticence. I guess we’re more similar than I thought. A smile tugged at her lips. I just hide it better.

  She reigned her amusement into a small grin and held his gaze. “Yes. We’re still on.”

  • • •

  Blake let out the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. That was good news for more reasons than just the obvious. The thought of having to attend these functions alone made him want to vomit.

  “Thank you,” he said in his sincerest voice, and meant it.

  He liked being around Halle. She heightened his senses and made everything better, even lame holiday events. Blake liked that he felt envied with her on his arm. Having already experienced an elevated social stature his whole life, he wasn’t sure what this new pride was about. But, now . . . now he felt like they were finally right. Except it was all a lie. They weren’t together. Blake breathed in and Halle’s cinnamon scent soothed him. He was looking forward to the next event. That, he realized, hadn’t been the case in many years.

  “You must be Blake.” A soprano voice came from his right.

  “Yep.” He pulled his gaze away from Halle. “And you are . . . ?”

  “Corrine.”

  The woman, who looked to be in her fifties, extended a dainty hand for him. He shook her limp grip, stopped himself from outwardly cringing, and braced himself on the counter with his left hand.

  “Corrine owns the dress shop next door,” Halle spoke up. “She supplies me with all my wardrobe choices.”

  “Very well done then, Corrine. Halle always looks . . .” He let his passionate gaze drift over every inch of Halle. “Great.”

  “Since she’s decided to still go to these things with you—why I’m not quite sure,” Corrine pursed her entire face, “maybe you two should match for the next event. What is it again?”

  “A political thing at the theatre,” he answered before the words registered. Match?

  “Oooh, artsy. Hmm,” Corrine tapped her finger on her chin.

  “I was thinking this event might suit the lacey dress we picked out the other day,” Halle suggested.

  Lace? Um, yes, please! He braced himself at the thought of her bare skin under lace. He appreciated how the dresses showed off her figure . . . her beautiful, round curves that he had to focus on not focusing on every time he was around her. Standing in her shop now, she looked just as pretty in jeans and a black turtle neck. He still wanted to reach out for her and . . . his gaze dropped to Halle’s full lips.

  “That is perfect for the theatre. I think I have something Blake here can wear . . .”

  “Hold the phone. Matching?” He quizzed Halle because she was clearly the sane one of the two.

  “Corrine, Blake is a big boy. He can wear whatever he wants,” she told her friend, who didn’t look happy at that news.

  “When couples . . .”

  Halle spoke loudly to Blake, cutting Corrine off, “You don’t have to wear anything to match my dress.”

  Corrine glared at Halle but looked sweetly at Blake. “How about I go get it and then you can decide?”

  “Sure,” he replied.

  What’s the harm? He had other pressing matters to ponder. If he hadn’t showed up today would she have cancelled their deal? Okay, so Halle had been mad at him. That’s justifiable. He understood that she didn’t jump for joy at the thought of these ball-busting events. Hell, he didn’t even want to go—which is why he’d stuck up the deal with her in the first place.

  He stood across from Halle now and wasn’t sure what to do. He pretended to be fascinated by the shelves of plaques with quotes on them. They were still on for the Christmas parties, so that was a good thing. She was going to keep dressing up, which excited him. What else should he say to her?

  He was about to open his mouth about the weather when the back door flew open and Corrine appeared with a Christmas boutonniere to match Halle’s dress. He took the box and counted his blessings he wasn’t in the middle of any pathetic spiel asking Halle out for real. Still, knowing he wouldn’t see Halle for six more days didn’t put a smile on his face as he thanked Corrine and left.

  Chapter Seven

  Halle walked into the Blair Sonora Theater with Blake by her side, guiding her with his palm. The magnificent foyer of the old theater was decorated in grand reds, silver, and gold. There were Christmas trees tastefully placed with giant nutcrackers and other garland accents. The room was filled with people in black tuxedos and dresses. Of course, they’re all in black.

  Halle was suddenly very glad she’d picked out a conservative bronze colored dress, with a little flare. She couldn’t completely give in and lose herself. Her dress had lace sleeves and lace that covered shiny fabric in that same color to her knees, leaving her orange strappy heels to be beautiful all on their own. She completed her look with dangling earrings that matched her shoes, her blonde hair in ringlets that swayed above her shoulders.

  She knew it was silly, but she sensed all eyes on her. She was Cinderella and Blake was her prince. A prince who wore the matching boutonniere. She grinned politely at the crowd, not focusing on anyone in particular.

  Blake nudged her to the right toward the bar directly in their path. At least we’re both on the same page.

  Of what book, she wasn’t so sure. Feelings and facts were starting to get muddled in her mind. One minute she was focused only on owning a building and the next she was day dreaming about vacationing with Blake in the tropics. His tall figure sun-kissed and half naked…

  She tried not to picture their beach romping as they approached the counter. Her life was a hot mess. How she got herself into these situations she had no idea . . . they just seemed to happen and before she knew it she was traveling full speed ahead to an epic fail. Well, not this time. She knew what she was doing and why. What Blake was doing was of no concern to her.

  “Wine?” he asked.

  “Yes, please.”

  Blake eyed her.

  “Blake, baby, I didn’t see you arrive.”

  They both turned around and were met by Blake’s mom.

  “Just got here.”

  Halle watched Blake’s demeanor shift from cranky to almost cheery. He flashed his perfect smile and the transformation was complete, even to his eyes. This man knows how to turn the charm on and off instantly. Halle made a mental note of this known, but newly witnessed, skill.

  “Halle. Nice to
see you again.” The older woman with perfectly set white hair focused her attention on her. She resisted the urge to fidget under the inspection.

  “You, too, Mrs. Ellison.” Halle had been able to avoid anything more than pleasantries with Carol Ellison so far, with a little over a week left in December, it seemed her luck had run out.

  Carol spoke to Halle but stared disapprovingly at Blake. “I’d like to say I’ve heard a lot about you but, as I’m sure you know, my son doesn’t divulge much.” Carol’s face was stern and her eyes squinted at him.

  “Well, he’s told me a lot about you.” Halle demurely lied. “Your foundation to help foster kids is inspiring. I don’t know how you are able to juggle everything.”

  Halle took her drink from Blake and clenched it. Keep being overly sweet.

  “Thank you, my dear. It seems, Blake, you have found yourself a sweet one.” She sized up her son and seemed pleased with his appearance. “Make sure you speak with Senator Davis tonight, will you.” Her question was posed as a directive.

  Someone called for Carol’s attention and just as surprisingly as she arrived, she left.

  Meanwhile, Blake was surveying the room coolly with one hand in his pocket and the other on his beer. The tux was identical to the one he wore at the first banquet and he looked good. Every single damn day the man looked effortlessly good. What’s so bad about this life for him? He fits right in.

  At least he has an ally in his sister. Halle was an only child. She never had the luxury of calling a sibling to complain or have them back her up when things got rough. She didn’t envy Blake’s life, she knew it all too well, but she did envy that he had a sister. Candace seemed pretty great. Blake had told her that they had always been close—standing up for each other when sometimes it was them against the entire family.

  “Did I handle your mother acceptably?”

  Blake’s eyes were brilliant when he turned them on her. “Perfect.”

  Halle was now the recipient of his grand smile, and it unnerved her. He is impossibly handsome.