Mission of Christmas Read Free Page A

 
    Hawkins slammed on the brakes because an idiot cut him off to pull into a shopping center on the way.
    “Dickhead!” I screamed.
    “Ahh, the Christmas spirit is in full force today,” he said, then smirked.
    “Glad you’re driving. I might have hit him.”
    “You need a new car. I don’t.”
    “True,” I said, smiling.
    He let out a sigh, driving a little farther. “I gotta get my mother a Nook case. Guess Dad bought her one for Christmas, and I told him I’d buy the case for it.”
    “That’s mighty nice of you.”
    “And I think I’m going to get her a gift card too.”
    “We can get that at the grocery store,” I said.
    He merely smiled. “You like the bookstore.”
    “Yes, I’ve been meaning to go there anyway.”
    After all, I didn’t do Christmas. So no one bought me presents. I bought my own. But I didn’t fiddle with wrapping them. I could go home tonight, curl up with a new book, and veg out.
    No Hawkins allowed.

Chapter Three
    Saturday  
    Andy led Erica into the bookstore, and she still wore her totally Scrooge-ish scowl. While he knew she loved getting books, she loathed Christmas shopping. Probably why she walked at a tortoise pace behind him.
    Maybe he ought to get her a Nook as well.  
    But then she’d have yet another reason to stay home on her couch.  
    They hadn’t been in the store more than a minute when Erica disappeared into the science fiction and fantasy section.
    He remained rooted by a John Grisham display, watching her walk away.
    Her hips swayed with every businesslike step, and as she turned the corner to the aisle she wanted, he got a great shot of her body’s curves. Her dark hair dangled out of the stocking cap she wore, swaying with her steps. Even with her big coat on, he could see the roundness of her breasts.
    His groin tightened at the sight. He had to remind himself this was Erica, not just anyone. Unfortunately, that happened a lot when he spent time with her as of late. Not exactly what he wanted in their relationship, but like an addict, he just couldn’t stay away from her.
    They were always together as kids, and as teenagers they’d been pretty good friends even though they’d been in different cliques at school. While married, they hadn’t hung out much because of their significant others.
    Then Erica got the job at Inventive Proposals. And the last few years were almost like high school again. They spent almost every weekend together if one of them didn’t have a date. Though the more time passed, Andy didn’t want to go out with anyone else.
    He wanted to be with her.
    Hell, the whole office thought they were banging.
    Not that he’d complain…
    He shook off his thoughts. He wasn’t here to think about Erica. He was on a mission of Christmas. He browsed the Nook cases, checking his text from his dad about the type to get, and found a red one. His mother loved all things red.
    On his way to the checkout, he picked up a fancy metal bookmark with the initial K on it for his Secret Santa gift tonight.
    “What’s with the bookmark?” Erica snuck up behind him while he stared at the rack of the latest bestsellers behind the counter. Just the sound of her voice made him smile. He turned around to see three books in her arms.
    “Secret Santa gift. I have Katherine Davis.”
    She arched an eyebrow, framing her dark brown eyes. “She’s the elderly lady running the mail room, right?”
    “Yep.”
    “She an avid reader?”
    He shrugged. “Not sure. But it’s the kind of thing I think she would like.” The line started to move forward. “Who’s your Secret Santa?”
    She turned away from him. “I opted out.”
    He grimaced. “Why would you do that? You won’t get a gift tonight at the party.”
    “I’m not going to the party.” When she met his gaze this time, there was determination in her face. She had no desire to participate.
    Well, that wasn’t going to happen.  
    “Yes you are.” He grabbed the books she was carrying and