A Christmas Date Read Free Page A

knees, hands clasped, frowning
at him.
    “What do you mean?”
    “Angie always stays for
Lillian’s cinnamon rolls. But today she slipped out early, as soon as the roads
were clear,” Sean replied. “She moved so fast you’d think the devil was nipping
at her heels.”
    “I didn’t do anything!”
he cried, wondering if it was safe to get up yet, unfortunately his body
disagreed. The longer they talked about Angelina, the longer he would be here,
and it was the last place he wanted to be. They’d probably have him married by
the end of the week. Hadn’t he just thought about that himself? Oh hell! Now he
was really confused. Sean snorted and handed him a cup of strong black coffee.
    “You look like crap!”
    “Thanks!” he muttered
and lifted the strong brew to his lips, downing it in two swift swallows. It
wasn’t exactly the espresso he was used to, but it would have to do.
    “Maybe
you scared her away?” Lillian suggested sweetly. He was beginning to wonder if
Lillian was really as sweet as she pretended to be, but she just smiled at him
softly, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
    “That bad huh?” he
asked wryly. “But I think she must have left before day break, so she didn’t
see me.”
    “I wasn’t talking about
your appearance Luke,” Lillian pointed out serenely.
    “Yeah, what was with
the bad attitude last night? It just wasn’t you,” Sean asked, refilling Luke’s
cup.
    Great, he was prisoner
here until his body cooperated or those two left so he could make his escape to
the bathroom. He sipped his coffee and eyed them speculatively.
    “What’s with the
matchmaking you two?” he countered.
    “She’s perfect for you
and you know it!” they said in unison.
    He looked from one to the
other and couldn’t help it, he burst out laughing.

 
 
    Chapter Four

 
    “Angelina?”
    “Yes this is Angie,
who’s calling please?” She hadn’t recognized the voice right away, but suddenly
she just knew it was him.
    “It’s Lucas Hart, Sean
and Lillian’s friend.”
    “Oh
God! Everything is okay with them isn’t it?” she asked
hurriedly.
    “Yes, yes, fine,” he
quickly reassured her.
    “Then why are you…?”
    Luke cleared his
throat. “I was calling to ask you out. On a date,” he clarified.
    “A
date? With you? ”
she asked incredulously. “Why?”
    Not the reaction he’d
been hoping for but it wasn’t entirely unexpected, “I was rude and belligerent
at our friends’ house last night. I would like to make it up to you…”
    “Not necessary, but
thanks anyway. Have a nice day Lucas.”
    Luke
stared at the phone. She’d hung up. That had never happened to him before. He
was both stunned and strangely disappointed.
    ***
    “What do you mean she
turned you down?” Lillian asked , hands planted on her
hips glaring at Luke. He shrugged. This was embarrassing. Sean was just leaning
back against the wall, arms folded over his massive chest looking smug. Luke
shot him an evil look, Sean smirked wider. Sean was a former bodybuilder who
after years on the road chasing competitive titles, had fallen for a sweet
homely girl who wanted babies and liked to bake cookies. Sean was still massive
and worked out every day. Lillian was small and soft looking, they were total
opposites. Is that what they were aiming for here, with him and Angelina? They
had nothing in common. But he had to admit they might have a point. He was
strangely drawn to her.
    Lillian began rummaging
purposefully in her messy cupboards, how she ever managed to make some of the
delicious things she baked in her totally disorganized tiny apartment kitchen
Luke did not know, but it was obvious she was up to something now. She pulled
out a roll of cling wrap and packaged up a few cinnamon rolls.
    “Off you go!”
    “What? Where?” Luke asked, now dressed in his dark outerwear and
once again looking like he’d walked off the pages of a Milan fashion magazine.
    “To
Angie’s store of course! You can drop these