All I Want For Christmas: A Sweet Serenade Christmas Novella Read Online Free Page A

Surprise and an overdose of chemistry gave him the advantage, but after her first delay, she wrestled out of his grip. “Will you stop doing that?”
    He grinned. “Did you know your lips pucker when you pout? I couldn’t resist them. I’ve wanted to kiss you properly for a long time now.”
    “You certainly hid it well.” Pouting? Is that what he thought she’d been doing? That he was unruffled while she was flustered and panting annoyed her further.
    He gave her a wounded look. “Don’t you believe me?”
    “I’m not sure I should. Let’s talk about Evangeline.”
    “She means nothing to me.”
    “I might believe that if you didn’t sound so bitter.”
    His jaw worked. “If you must know, Evie dumped me.”
    “That explains why you tried to get back at her with me.” She stepped away from him.
    He followed her. “Don’t think that. I wanted you before Evie came along. She just distracted me with…well, because of--”
    “No need to spell it out.”
    Putting a finger under her chin he tilted her face to the light. “Forgive me?”
    She’d cried into her pillow, walked around with an ache in the pit of her stomach, and endured having to see him with Evangeline. “I’ll…try.”
    “You won’t regret it, I promise.”

Chapter 6
     
    “Earth to Hailey.” Matt’s soft call coaxed her from her thoughts. He was leaning back in his chair at Seattle Coffee, looking comfortable in his own skin.
    She sighed. “Was I staring into space?”
    “Again.”
    “Sorry. There’s a lot on my mind.”
    “Care to elaborate?”
    “It’s Corey at work.”
    “I thought you were so over Corey.”
    “I know I said that.”
    “But you’re not?”
    She shook her head, not quite meeting his eyes. How stupid to feel guilty, as if she was cheating on Matt. There had never been anything romantic between them.
    He sat forward, looking considerably less relaxed. “He’ll hurt you again.”
    “You don’t know that.” She took a drink from her mocha, wincing as it scalded her tongue.
    “I can guess.”
    “It’s different this time. He apologized for…well, for Evangeline.”
    “And you believed him?”
    “He seemed sincere.”
    “Of course he did. The man is slick, I’ll give him that.”
    “You have no call to say such a thing when you don’t even know him.”
    “I know of him. Remember, I watched you go through the wringer once already.”
    “He said he was confused.”
    “And I suppose you bought that, too.”
    “I’m going to a party with him Saturday night.”
    “That’s answer enough.” He pushed to his feet and picked up his fiddle.
    “Where are you going?”
    “Back to work.”
    “But our break isn’t over.”
    “Sorry, Hailey, but I think it is.”
    “ Wait! ”
    He stopped at the door, his eyes dark.
    “Will you be here tomorrow?” Her voice sounded pathetically small.
    “I don’t know. I need time to think.”
    “Why?”
    A couple seated at another table turned their heads to stare at them.
    Matt came back to Hailey. “I can’t go through all that again.” He emphasized each word.
    “You’re not making any sense. I was the one with the broken heart, not you.”
    “Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong, sweetheart.” He ran his gaze over her face, firmed his jaw, and left her.
    She didn’t call him back to explain. Why not be honest and admit what she already knew, had known, and until now had gotten away with ignoring?
    Matt was in love with her.

Chapter 7
     
    Hailey splurged on a semi-formal dress in festive red for her date with Corey, and from the way his gaze slid over her when he picked her up at the ferry, it met with his approval. He drove them in his Geo Metro the short distance to Lake Union, where white lights sparkled in the waters, reflections from the Christmas lights festooning the houseboats. Several parties were in full swing, with music and laughter spilling into the air.
    Corey led her down a dock to one of the houseboats and rapped at the front