She turned, her concentration shattering at the sight of Amie approaching. The corners of Amie’s lips curled into a radiant smile, one that reached her eyes and made them sparkle. A far different look than Willow had seen when she’d first met her.
“Hi, Amie,” Willow smiled in return.
Amie took the stool next to Willow, her gaze glued to the monitor. “Damn, did you make that? Looks good.”
“Thanks,” Willow said. Maybe someone not in marketing might approve, but Willow knew it wasn’t quite right. “We’re featuring new holiday cocktails every week over the holidays. This will come out next week.”
“Ooh, tell me about it,” Amie said, rubbing her hands together.
“I’ve named it ‘Winter’s Embrace,’” Willow explained. “It’s a white chocolate cocktail Aubrey came up with. It’s got rum, white chocolate, nutmeg and vanilla. She said she wanted to create something that felt like a Christmas hug in a glass.”
“Sounds delicious! I will be the first one to gobble it right up,” Amie said with a laugh. She shifted on her stool. “So.” She paused, an impish glint in her eye. “I heard from a little birdie that you are dating Eli Cole.” She leaned forward. “Is it true?”
A hesitation snagged at Willow’s heartbeat, a quick stutter before it resumed its rhythm. She did not want to lie to Amie. Especially after Amie’s past, but in this case, she knew she had to think of herself right now. “We’re taking things slow,” she said finally, hoping that was not too much of a lie.
“Slow is good,” Amie agreed with a nod. “He’s a good guy from what my friend has told me. She went to high school with him. Kinda a lone wolf, is what I’ve heard, but if anyone is going to be good for a guy like that, it’s you.”
“Thanks,” Willow said with a smile. Wanting off this subject, and onto matters that had nothing to do with her, she asked, “How are things with you? Any word from Buck?”
Amie shook her head, her smile fading. “Thankfully, no. He’s respecting the restraining order.”
“Good,” Willow said with relief. “That’s good.”
“Extremely,” Amie said with a long sigh and a slow nod. “It’s been nice having the quiet in the house. I don’t jump at every little thing now. It just feels...calm.”
Willow understood that wholeheartedly. “Peace is a wonderful thing.”
Amie agreed with a nod. “All right, enough about all that, there is a reason I came here,” Amie said, her voice upbeat again. “What do you think about gingerbread houses?”
“Building them, eating them...?” Willow asked with a laugh.
“Decorating them, actually. Tonight there is a gingerbread decorating event that I’m going to with a friend. Starts at seven o’clock at the Summit Sweets Bakery. It’s twenty-five bucks each. Could be fun, don’t you think?”
Willow was momentarily touched that Amie wanted to spend more time with her, and she was glad for it. She liked Amie too. Guilt began to set in that she was taking time off work to play this charade, but both Charly and Aubrey new it was necessary for the sake of their plan. She promised herself that she would make it up to them later, as she planned on heading back to the bar after the event was over. “Sounds like a blast.” An idea sparked. Eli had done his part to play into the fake relationship. She needed to do her part too. “Do you mind if I invite Eli?”
“Not at all,” Amie said, waggling her eyebrows. “The more the merrier.”
“Great.” Willow grabbed her cell from the bar and fired off a text to Eli.
Interested in coming with me tonight to a gingerbread house decorating event at Summit Sweets Bakery at 7?
The reply came quicker than expected, a ding from her phone slicing through the air.
I’ll be there.
“Looks like we’re all set, then,” Willow said to Amie, a little surprised that Eli would want to take part in such an event, but figured he’d do so for the show. To protect her.
“Fantastic! It’s going to be so much fun.” Amie grinned, sliding off the stool. “Maybe after we’re all done, you could display the gingerbread house here at the bar. It’d be such a cute decoration.”
Willow snorted. “I don’t know about Eli’s gingerbread-making skills, but I’m not exactly confident it’ll be worthy of showing it off.”
“Oh, hush,” Amie said, heading for the door, waving her off. “You’re going to kill it.”
Willow wasn’t fully convinced by Amie’s words. “Amie,” she called out.
Amie opened the front door and turned, glancing back at Willow. “What’s up?” she asked.
“Just wanted to say thank you for inviting us out tonight,” Willow said, forcing a smile. “I really do appreciate it.”
