AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“How about you just trust me when I say that I’ll do it?” he says, his voice pure flirtation.
I shiver, goosebumps running all up and down my arms. He’s leaned in so that we’re nearly nose to nose. I can feel Judy’s eyes popping between us.
“Trust you?” I bite my lip and swallow. “Oh, no. We’re not there, Mr. Sheppard.”
“Listen,” he says again, still staring at me like the idea of kissing is not all in my head. “I have a job. And I’m in line for a promotion that I’m never going to get by spending another week in Santa’s workshop.”
And just like that, the spell is broken.
I straighten and take a step back. “Well, I suggest you head over to Mistletoe Lane Realty then. They’re on Mistletoe Lane,” I add, in the spirit of helpfulness. “They’re not open on Tuesdays during December though, so you’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”
I smile.
He glares.
“Fine,” he finally mutters. “I’ll do that.”
“You should,” I agree, still smiling. My smile isn’t totally altruistic, because I might know a thing or two Ryan Sheppard doesn’t know yet.
He turns and walks away, muttering something like “deranged Christmas cop” under his breath. He might say something else, too, but I don’t catch it. I’m too busy staring at his ass.
Damn it all to the North Pole.
A waste of a face and an ass.
Chapter Four
“So, how’s the Christmas enforcement season going?”
Normally, I’d love to gush to Lexi about anything and everything that’s going on in my official role as a holiday enforcement officer. Normally, you can count on me for a funny story about a mishap with double-booked Santas or an amusing violation over string lights. But after Ryan Sheppard’s earlier dismissal of my official duties, I’m not really in the mood to share.
Lexi and I are shopping for candles at the best candle shop in town, Jack Frost Candles. I guess it’s technically the only candle shop in town—though other places sell candles, this is the only place that specializes in candles. And they make them in Reindeer Falls, so you know they’re good.
There isn’t a perfume-y, fake-smelling candle in the bunch here. Wall to wall, Jack Frost smells like the real deal. I don’t know how they do it, but the Christmas Tree candle smells like actual pine. The Gingersnap Cookie candle smells like they stole Ginger’s recipe and bottled it up. And they’ve got it all, even a line of candles for “the Grinch in your life.” That candle is dark green and smells like cloves and cedar. Which I still claim is also what Ryan Sheppard smells like.
“It’s… fine,” I say, evasively. “A couple of problems on Candy Cane Lane, but nothing I can’t handle.”
“Oh, yeah?” Lexi asks. “What about that Ryan Sheppard? How many tickets have you stuck on his door?”
“A few.” I shrug, doing my best for nonchalance, but I’m pretty sure I’m blushing because Lexi immediately hones in on my discomfort.
“Ohhh,” she drawls, knowingly. “So you met him.”
“Are they all that attractive?” I ask. “Were their parents supermodels or something? Did they create them in a lab? It hurts my eyes to look directly at him, for crying out loud.”
“Mmm-hmm,” Lexi murmurs in agreement. “So you suggested a quickie with the lights off?”
“Lexi!” I gasp, and I’m only partially exaggerating. “I would never. You know I’m a consummate professional.”
“So that’s a no on consummation?” She laughs at her own pun while I grab a Snowflake Storm candle from the nearest shelf and shove my nose in it to distract myself.
How do friends do this? How do they pick up on your ridiculous crushes without even witnessing them firsthand?
Not that I have a crush on Ryan Sheppard. I definitely don’t. It’s just lust. As it has been mentioned, there’s a lack of available bachelors in Reindeer Falls. But to be fair, there’s a lack of eligible bachelors everywhere on Earth, as far as I can tell.
And besides, Ryan Sheppard is barely eligible. On account of his bad attitude about Reindeer Falls and holiday décor. He might be attractive but attractiveness can only overcome so much. A girl has to have standards.
“I have to check on his place tomorrow morning,” I murmur. “On account of the staggering number of violations.”
“Staggering, huh?”
“Mounting exponentially.” I sigh. “It’s a shame, really.”
“Definite shame,” Lexi agrees. “Maybe you should take him out for hot cocoa in order to discuss the violations in greater detail.”
“Totally not interested,” I lie. I don’t know why I’m lying. I never lie to Lexi. But something about Ryan just gets under my skin. And… maybe I just want to wait until I have the upper hand before I say anything. Yeah, that must be it.
A slow smile creeps onto Lexi’s face. “Oh, my God, did you already sleep with him? Because you’re totally lying to me right now!”
