Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
The barista’s voice interrupted his thoughts and he turned to see her talking to a customer, her head thrown back as she laughed. The tinkling sound and the beauty in her expression as she smiled hit him square in the chest, and an idea struck.
She could be his date to the party.
He’d been focused on finding a woman he already knew, thinking that the familiarity between them would help sell the notion of a serious relationship. But maybe sharing chemistry with someone would be enough.
Glancing over his shoulder, he watched as this time, she laughed at something her coworker said. He watched her chest as it expanded with a deep breath. Full breasts pushed out the high cut apron she wore for work.
Oh, yeah. This can work.
He wouldn’t have to pretend to be interested in her and she’d look good on his arm.
He rose from of his seat and made his way to the counter with his drink in hand, aware this was most likely his last shot at securing a fake girlfriend for the party. Plastering his most charming smile on his face, he silently asked the universe for a Christmas miracle for a man who barely acknowledged the holiday.
Chapter Two
Froth and Grind always had an early afternoon rush. It was the time of day when people, especially office workers, needed a caffeine boost to get through the second half of their day. Camille Hendricks saw a lot of familiar faces in the coffee shop for their lattes, mochas and espresso shots and did her best to remember them all. But there was only one man she always looked forward to seeing.
Leo.
She didn’t know anything about him other than his first name and that he paid for his drink with a Black Card, which put him firmly in another stratosphere. His suits looked tailor-made, showing off his muscular body and he was hot.
She’d known that from the moment he first came into the coffee shop a couple of months ago. Those brown eyes locked onto hers, and she nearly forgot her own name.
Their first interaction had been brief, and he hadn’t looked at her twice. Over time, she’d managed to get in a little flirting when he ordered his drinks, but they’d never had a conversation about anything other than his order. Until today, when he’d asked about her Santa hat.
“You know, I’ve always wondered what it looked like when a person had stars in their eyes,” her coworker, Mona, said with a snicker. “Now, I know. You’re staring at Mr. Peppermint Mocha like he hung the moon.”
Cammie pulled her eyes away from Leo, her cheeks warm from being caught ogling a customer.
Ignoring Mona’s knowing smirk, Cammie tried to act innocent. “I wasn’t staring at him. I was just… gazing out the window, and he happens to be sitting right in front of it. Total coincidence.”
Mona chuckled. “I’m not buying what you’re selling. Why don’t you just ask for his number?”
Cammie’s eyes flickered over to Leo again, and she considered her friend’s suggestion. She wasn’t the shy type, but asking out a regular didn’t seem smart.
“I don’t know,” she said. “He’s a steady customer. What if I ask him out and he says no? Then, I’d have to see him all the time, and it would be so awkward. For us both.”
Mona shrugged. “He’d probably just find another coffee shop. It’s not like there aren’t plenty of them in New York City.”
Cammie frowned. “I don’t want him to stop coming here.”
Mona raised her eyebrows up and down suggestively and nudged Cammie with her elbow. “You’ve got it bad, girl. Like, doodling Mrs. Peppermint Mocha in your notebook and obsessing over his Instagram posts, kind of bad.”
Her light-hearted teasing reminded Cammie of high school, when she and her friends would gossip about boys and do the exact sort of things Mona mentioned. Cammie was twenty-four-years-old, and it was ridiculous to act like the teenager Mona had described.
Laughter bubbled up inside of her, and she let it out, causing her friend to roll her eyes and smile. “I’m not quite that bad,” she said when both of their laughter trailed off. “I’m just enjoying the view, that’s all.”
Mona’s eyes shifted to the side, and she leaned in close. “Well, if there’s more to it, now might be your chance to find out. He’s coming this way.”
Cammie’s head snapped in Leo’s direction, and she saw that her friend was right. Leo wove his way around the tables scattered throughout the shop, his eyes locked on her. The smile on his face was subtle yet intimate, his lips curved up in a half-grin. Not to mention the almost mischievous glint in his eyes.
Cammie’s pulse skittered, and she suddenly didn’t know what to do with her hands as watched him approach. She crossed her arms, then worried that seemed too standoffish. So, she impulsively grabbed one of the smallest coffee cups, only to be left standing there awkwardly with it in her hand, as he stopped in front of her, placing his drink on the counter between them.