Page 14 of Just Home for the Holidays
He shrugged. “No plans. Whatever comes up.”
Chloe stared at him in shock. “But it’s Christmas.”
“So?”
“You have to have plans at Christmas.”
“Why?” His gaze was steady and challenging. He either had no plans or didn’t want to tell her about them.
“Aren’t you meeting friends and family? Something?”
“Free as a bird.”
Chloe felt her eyes narrow. “That can’t be.”
“Sure it can, because it is.”
“Aren’t you going to Damon and Haley’s open house on Christmas Day. Everyone is invited.”
“I won’t be there.”
“You don’t have plans or you don’t want to have plans?”
“What difference does it make?”
“There’s a story behind this,” Chloe guessed
“Not one you need to know.” He stood up and turned to leave, evasive again.
Chloe wasn’t as ready to let him get away with it. “I think I do need to know.”
Hunter surveyed the conference room as if he’d find the answer in one corner. Then he met her gaze again. “Because I hate Christmas. I don’t celebrate it in any way. It’s a question of principle.”
Chloe was shocked even though he looked serious. “Nobody hates Christmas!”
“You just met someone who does.”
“But...but why?”
“I just do.” He held her gaze steadily. “We could enumerate all kinds of reasons: the terrible music, the false charity, the rabid commercialism, elves, but the exact reason isn’t important. I don’t do Christmas. Period.”
Chloe couldn’t believe it, but Hunter got up and reached for his coat, apparently ready to leave. “I’d better find a suit.” He snapped his fingers. “You never told me where you’re staying.”
“At my mom’s.” She emailed him the address.
“Swishy digs,” Hunter said, obviously realizing that the address was on the Upper East Side. “Did you grow up there?”
“Not exactly.”
He looked up, inviting more. “I should know, shouldn’t I? The most compelling fake dates know all the details.”
“We lived in that building when Mandy and I were kids.” At his look, she continued. “My sister. Three years older. Now happily married and living in D.C. with her lawyer husband. She’s already at my mom’s with the kids. Daughters, two. Daphne and Alexandra. Ballet fiend and tomboy.” He smiled crookedly at that. “Marshall probably won’t come until Christmas Eve.”
“He’s missing the big party?”
“He always does. Marshall doesn’t do small talk. Mandy goes with her friend from school, Todd. This works out better for both of them. They both love to dance.”
“No partner for Todd?”
