"Because we were just renting the space."
She smiled. "So, you can rent it from me."
"Oh, yeah?" The more she talked, the more I was warming to the idea. "How much?"
She leaned out of the concession window. "The same price I had to payyou."
I grinned. "A kiss?"
She nodded. "But you'd better make it a good one."
Chapter 35
Harper
I smiled as I stared down at the tray of Christmas cookies, still warm from the oven. Even though I didn'thaveto make something for tonight's reception, I'd wanted to.
In fact, I'd insisted on it, and when Bryce had offered me the use of my own kitchen, I'd jumped on the idea so fast, it should have been embarrassing.
But I was long past the embarrassment stage when it came to Bryce. There was something so nice and easy about the way we meshed – with no secrets and no awkwardness – that I'd let down my guard entirely and was having the time of my life.
The cookies were in the shape of Christmas trees, and I was just mixing up some green frosting so I could decorate them in style when the sound of the doorbell made me pause.
I looked toward the sound.Should I get it?
I waffled for only an instant before deciding that whether the visitor was for me or for Bryce, I couldn’t exactly stand here and let the door go unanswered. I wiped my flour-covered hands onto my festive red apron and headed toward the front door.
But when I flung it open, I wasn't quite sure what to say. The visitor was a stunning brunette in a faux fur coat. The coat was open, revealing a slinky red dress that matched her high red heels.
Her hair was smooth and glossy. Her legs were magnificent and long. She was model thin and so fashionable, I felt like a total frump in comparison, especially in my baking gear.
I was still taking in her appearance when she said, "Wow, it's good to seeyou." She lowered her voice. "If you want the truth, I was a little worried."
I wasn't following. "About what?"
She glanced down at my apron. "That he wouldn’t have a cleaning person. Do you know how hard it is to find good help these days?"
"Um…"No. I didn't actually.As my words utterly failed, I belatedly noticed the big black suitcase at her heels. With growing confusion, I asked, "Are you sure you have the right address?"
"Positive. So, is Bryce around?" She smiled. "Or is he off causing trouble?"
Trouble? What kind of trouble?"I, um…I'm not quite sure." This was technically true. I mean, Brycecouldbe on the other side of the fence, or he could be somewhere else entirely.
The reception was only a few hours away, and he was handling a multitude of details to make sure the Christmas village was ready for tonight's tours.
The woman looked past me, and her nose wrinkled with obvious distaste. "How many bedroomsisthis place?"
"Two."And why was I answering her questions?By now, I had far too many questions of my own, although I didn't relish the thought of asking them.
She frowned. "Only two? Thank God he's only renting."
I stiffened. "What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing serious," she said. "I'm just saying, I didn't expect to find him in a place likethis."She said "this," like my house was a hovel crawling with cockroaches.
I crossed my arms. "A place like what?"
She gave a delicate little laugh. "Well, it's not the Taj Mahall, is it?" But then her laughter faded. "Hey, what's up withyou?"
