She couldn’t help glancing around in traffic just to make sure the paparazzi weren’t following them. Thankfully, they weren’t. She glanced over at Simon as he lounged back in his seat, checking messages on his phone.
The silence in the van was deafening. She reached over and turned on the radio. She adjusted the tuner to a station that played nothing but Christmas tunes. Andy Williams’s “Sleigh Ride” was playing. At least it was upbeat, unlike her passenger. She turned it up.
She chanced a quick glance at him. The frown on his face had deepened, marring his handsome face with deep lines. What was up with him? Did he regret offering to ride with her?
“Is something bothering you?” The question popped out of her mouth before her brain had a chance to restrain her tongue.
“What?”
At the same time, they reached for the radio. Their fingers touched. A tingle pulsed up her arm. She glanced at him. His gaze met hers, making her heart pound.
She yanked her hand away as she turned her attention back to the road. Simon lowered the volume on the radio. She swallowed hard, gripping the steering wheel with both hands as she tried to put a lid on whatever it was that just happened between them.
“That’s better,” Simon said. “Now what did you ask?”
She felt really weird asking him now, but she refused to let on how their contact had unnerved her. “Is something bothering you?”
“You mean besides you being angry at me when it was you who dumped me?”
So they were back to this again. “I didn’t see you minding so much when you were out with that tall blonde the next night.”
“It wasn’t the next night.” His tone was gruff. “It was two weeks later.”
“A day. A week or two. It’s the same difference.”
“Turn left right up here.” He was quiet for a moment. “And it does matter, because it wasn’t the same thing.”
She made the turn. She shouldn’t care, but her curiosity was eating at her. “Why is that?”
“Because that appearance wasn’t a date. It was arranged to draw the paparazzi’s attention from you.”
It wasn’t a date? She caught sight of the serious look in his eyes. Should she believe him? After all, they had looked like a real couple in the photo. “But they said you were both on the rebound.”
“Turn left in a mile onto Willow Lane.” He shifted in his seat so he could look at her. “Since when do you believe what they print online? Remember, those are the same fools that said we were getting married.”
“Like that would ever happen.”
“Exactly.” His tone softened just a bit.
He didn’t have to agree so quickly, like the thought of marrying her would be worse than a death sentence. Maybe it was better if they didn’t talk. In fact, that sounded like a really good idea.
The ride had gone far worse than he’d imagined.
Thankfully, the Christmas party was faring much better.
Simon was certain he was losing his touch with women. That or Pepper was immune to his charms. Rekindling their friendship was never going to happen. The realization was a sobering one.
But even though their relationship was broken beyond recognition, he noticed that didn’t stop her from putting on the most amazing display of pastries. But it wasn’t just sweet treats. She’d mingled in flowers and twinkle lights. The display really drew the eye.
She was attentive to the guests as their hungry gazes meandered over the lengthy selection of sugary temptations. She was kind. She was patient. And she beamed as she talked about the baked goods and her beloved bakery.
As a professional, he had no qualms with her. On a personal note, he wished they’d never taken things to the next level—even if it had been the most amazing night of his life. The price had been too high. It had cost him a friendship that he didn’t know how much he valued until it’d ended.
He made his way through the great room, greeting all of his guests. These were important clients who’d helped get his products on the store shelves. And now that he was branching out with his Pet Playground chain, he was talking it up, hoping a groundswell of excitement would carry through to his launch at Christmas.
“Your Christmas tree is gorgeous,” the wife of a business associate said.
“Thank you.” Simon didn’t admit that the tree wasn’t his. His assistant had hired a decorator to come in and stage the house with holiday cheer. When the party was over, the tree, the twinkle lights and all of the other decorations would go away. None too soon as far as he was concerned.
But the funny thing was, as much as he tried to talk business, everyone wanted to talk about the baker he’d hired. Forget the heated appetizers; they were all agog over the sweets. Not that he could blame them. They were delicious.
“Isn’t she the best?” Elaine stepped up next to him.
His assistant was a few years younger than him, married and the most efficient assistant he’d ever hired. He would be lost without her. She kept him and his calendar on task.
“Yes, Pepper is very good.” He only hired the best.
“The guests seem to love her. And everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.”
He nodded. “You’ve done an excellent job coordinating this party.”
He made a mental note to speak with Elaine at a later date about removing Pepper from their list of vendors. No matter how good Pepper was, they needed to maintain their distance. He felt bad about having to do it, but it was for the best—for both of their sakes. Because no matter how much they both wanted to deny it, there was still chemistry sizzling between them.
His gaze kept straying to Pepper. He assured himself that it was his job to keep an eye on the staff, to make sure the party was running smoothly. He noticed her on the phone. He couldn’t have his employees chatting while they were supposed to be working. She turned her back to him and headed toward the kitchen with the phone pressed to her ear.
His jaw tightened. Surely she had to know how important this party was to him. He set off after her. When he stepped into the kitchen, the door almost bumped Pepper.
“Are you sure?” she said into the phone. “Okay. Okay. I... I’m out of town. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
He couldn’t see her face, but he could hear the tremor in her voice. “What’s the matter?”
She turned to him. Her face was white like the frosted snowflake cookies on the buffet. Her eyes filled with unshed tears, but she didn’t speak.
“What’s the matter?” He repeated with more urgency.
“I have to go.” She rushed to the coat check.
He followed her. “Go where?”
She attempted to shove her hand in the sleeve of her coat, but missed. She tried again and got it. Her movements were quick and jerky. She muttered something under her breath.
“What did you say?”
“My backpack. I need my backpack.”
It was hanging right in front of her. He took it down from the hook. “Here you go. Now tell me, what is going on?”
“I don’t have time. I have to go.”
Concern pumped through his veins. He took her by the shoulders. “Pepper, look