Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

“Don’t take this the wrong way,” Felicity said as she picked up her mug of plain coffee. “But I think you might still be twelve years old.”

Marissa used her middle finger to scratch her nose while she gave her friend a pointed look. “Just because I like chocolate in my pancakes, that doesn’t make me twelve.”

“It’s more like pancakes with your chocolate and yes, I think it does.” Felicity picked up a piece of crispy bacon and nibbled on the end.

“Leave her be, City,” Clara said. “We’re all allowed to like what we like.”

“I always knew you were the smarter one of my friends,” Marissa said with a cheeky grin. “Prettier and sweeter two.”

All three of them laughed. It was Sunday morning, and they were at Candy Canes for their weekly breakfast date. They’d come a little earlier than normal since they were decorating afterward, and that was why Felicity was a little saltier than usual. Her idea of early on her day off was more like eleven than eight.

Marissa made a big show of forking up a piece of pancake that was loaded with chocolate and then stuffed it in her mouth and made moaning sounds as she chewed.

“Making love to that pancake isn’t going to change my mind,” Felicity said, causing a new round of laughter.

“You two are the best, you know that, right?” Marissa said, feeling like the luckiest girl in the entire world.

“We know,” Felicity said while Clara sobered and stared at the front door.

“What is it?” Marissa asked but didn’t need her to answer. The moment she flicked her gaze to the hostess area, she spotted them.

Danny was there, in her diner, with the most gorgeous person she’d ever seen in real life. The woman was everything that Marissa was not. She had a waifish build and an interesting, angular face that was highlighted by a beautiful smile and glittering eyes. She wore a white flowy blouse and skirt with gorgeous white boots that were not made for snowy conditions. Where had she come from? Certainly, she wasn’t from Christmas Grove. Nobody dressed like that here. And definitely not in December when there was always a chance of snow.

“Wow,” Clara said, her voice full of awe. “She looks like she belongs in a mystical garden.”

“She looks like she’s going to freeze her butt off,” Felicity said .

Marissa snorted. Leave it to Felicity to always speak the truth.

“They look really good together,” Clara said and then sucked in a sharp breath as she covered her mouth with her hand. “Sorry, Mar. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“It’s fine.” Marissa’s tone was sharp, indicating that it was anything but fine. She let out a sigh. “Sorry.”

“It’s all right. I know this is weird for you.” Clara leaned over and put her head on Marissa’s shoulder. “Some relationships just never let go of a person.”

Marissa wrapped and arm around her, giving her a quick hug as she wondered what relationship haunted Clara. She sounded like a woman who completely understood what Marissa was going through, but she’d never said a word about it.

“Uh-oh. Here come the gorgeous shiny people,” Felicity muttered.

The hostess made a beeline for their table with Danny and his date following closely behind.

Marissa looked at the empty table right next to them and swallowed a groan. Sure enough, her ex and his ethereal princess were seated right next to them. The woman sat just to the right of Marissa while Danny sat directly across from her.

Danny blinked and then met Marissa’s gaze. His eyes flicked to the woman briefly before he grimaced, and Marissa knew then that it was, in fact, a date.

“Hello, Danny. Who’s your friend?” she asked, her cheeks aching from the fake smile she’d plastered on.

His expression was wary. Cleary he’d caught on to her fake cheer. “Marissa, Clara, Felicity, this is Sophie. She’s in town for the holiday season.”

Sophie’s smile reached her eyes as she took in the trio of women. “I’ve heard so much about each of you. It’s just lovely to finally meet you in person.”

“You have?” Marissa and Felicity said at the same time.

Clara held out her hand to the woman. “It’s lovely to meet you, too. What brings you to Christmas Grove this year, besides the holiday? Do you have family here or…”

“Oh no. My family is spread out all over. I’m here for work, actually.” Sophie said cheerfully. “I’m hoping to wrap it up soon.” She let her gaze roam over Danny as she added, “I’d love to have time to enjoy everything this charming town has to offer.”

Oh no, that wasn’t going to happen. Over Marissa’s dead body. “It’s not really that charming when the rain kicks in. There’s nothing pretty about dirty ice and limp Christmas decorations.” She turned to Clara. “isn’t it supposed to rain next week? I heard something about a front that’s supposed to last a week or so. The rivers might even crest. If that’s the case, this place will be sandbag city. No place for a tourist to be during the holiday.”

“Really?” Clara asked. “I better look at a weather report. If the power goes out, that’s a real problem at the studio.”

Felicity tried to cover a snort of amusement while Marissa gave Clara a look that said, seriously?

“I’m not too worried about a little shower. That’s just nature’s way of cleansing the collective. The earth is always beautiful after a decent rain,” Sophie said.

Was this chick for real? Marissa wanted to ask Danny what he was doing with a hippy-dippy headcase, but she hadn’t quite lost her mind just yet. Instead, she gave Sophie a tight smile and said, “I suggest rain boots.”

Sophie smiled at her. “Thank you for the tip.”

“Damn, she’s good,” Felicity whispered so softly that Marissa barely heard her.

Marissa gently nudged her friend with her elbow. Now was not the time. Because she didn’t want to sound like a crazy person, she just nodded at the woman and said, “Enjoy your breakfast.”

“Thank you.” Sophie nodded and then picked up her menu.

Marissa went back to her pancakes, but they’d suddenly lost their appeal, and she spent the next ten minutes pushing them around on her plate. Finally, she put her fork down, admitting defeat.

Felicity raised a questioning eyebrow.

Marissa just shrugged. It was the first time in maybe forever that she hadn’t eaten every last bite of her favorite meal. Maybe she just wasn’t that hungry.

She chuckled humorlessly to herself. What a liar she was. When it came to her favorite pancakes, hunger didn’t have anything to do with it. Obviously she wasn’t hungry because Danny and his date had messed up her vibe.

“Care to share with the class?” Clara asked.

Marissa shook her head and waved to the waitress.

“Are you ready for your second hot chocolate?” Vanessa, the older waitress, asked. Marissa had been coming to the place so long, the woman new her habits backward and forward.

“Not today. But I will take a Bloody Mary,” Marissa said.

Vanessa blinked, her painted-on eyebrows rising to her hairline. “Bloody Mary, huh? Today must be special.”

“Special. Sure.” Marissa tried not to look at Danny but failed and found him staring at her with a troubled expression. She smirked at him and then told Vanessa, “And keep ’em coming.”

“You better bring me one, too, then,” Felicity said.

“And you?” Vanessa asked Clara.

Clara glanced at her two friends, looking reluctant, but then said, “Sure. Why the heck not?”

“You got it. I sure wish I was partying with you girls today. Looks like you’re in for some fun,” Vanessa said with a wink.

“Definitely,” Felicity agreed as she eyed Danny and his date.

A few minutes later, the Bloody Marys arrived just in time for Sophie to ask when she could get the private pottery classes she’d asked about. Marissa plucked the olives out of her glass and then downed half of it. Before the waitress could even leave, she ordered another.

“That was impressive,” Felicity said, giving her a nod of approval. “This is why you’re such a fun date.”

Danny twisted his head to eye Felicity and then Marissa. His brow was furrowed, and he looked like a concerned dad .

Marissa responded by lifting her glass and taking another long drink.

Danny cleared his throat and said, “I really don’t have time for private lessons this month, but I do have group lessons on Sunday afternoons. There’s still space if you want to join us today.”

“I do,” Marissa said without thinking.

Both Sophie and Danny stared at her. Danny had a hint of a smile while Sophie studied her intently. Then she turned back to Danny and said, “That would be lovely. My new friend Marissa and I can get to know each other better.”

Marissa gave her a tight smile. They weren’t friends. They never would be friends. Not as long as she was dating Danny. Marissa didn’t care if she turned out to be Mrs. Freakin’ Claus in disguise. Danny was off limits. “Great.” Marissa forced her smile again and asked, “What time?”

“What time shall we arrive, Daniel?” Sophie asked.

“It’s Danny,” Marissa said automatically.

Danny cleared his throat. “I do go by Danny, but I’ll answer to either. The class starts at three o’clock. Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty.”

“Do I need to bring anything else to your shop?” Sophie asked. “What’s it called? Pottery something?”

“Pottery Grove,” Marissa said, not caring at all that she was eavesdropping and butting in on their conversation. Perhaps the vodka had gone to her head. Or maybe she just needed Sophie to stop trying to make moves on her man. “It’s the one with a giant mug painted on the front window.”

“Thanks, Marissa,” Danny said dryly before speaking to Sophie again. “No, you don’t need to bring anything, but you might want to trim your nails and leave the rings at home.” He picked up his ice water and took a long sip.

“I can do that,” Sophie said. “I’m really looking forward to this.”

Vanessa reappeared with Marissa’s second Bloody Mary. Then she turned to Danny and Sophie. “Need anything else?”

“Just the check. We have a reservation to take the horseless carriage ride around town in a few minutes,” Sophie said. “It should be beautiful with the snow coming down.”

“But it’s not snowing,” Vanessa said, eyeing the front windows where the sun was streaming in as she placed their check on the table.

“It will be.” Sophie picked up the check and handed it to Danny.

He placed some bills on the black tray and stood abruptly.

Sophie joined him, and Marissa started in on her second Bloody Mary as she watched them walk out.

Once the pair were safely outside the café, Felicity started to laugh softly until it turned into something close to hysterics. Clara grinned and then suddenly joined her.

“Oh, you think that was funny?” Marissa asked.

“Uh-huh.” Felicity nodded and wiped the tears from beneath her eyes. “You looked like you were ready to scratch her eyes out.”

“You’re not really going to go take a class with that woman there, are you?” Clara asked after she caught her breath. “That would be next-level crazy, Mar.”

“Then someone call the psych ward, ’cause I’m going.” Marissa sucked down the rest of her drink, tossed some bills on the table and said, “Let’s go. We have decorating to do before I go learn how to make a pot. One that I might be able to drop on that woman’s head if she doesn’t stay away from—” She abruptly closed her mouth. What was she saying? Danny wasn’t hers to fight for. But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t be at that class right at three p.m.

“Danny?” Felicity filled in for her. “If Sophie hasn’t figured out by now that she’s gonna have to go through you to get that man, then I kinda feel a little sorry for her.”

Marissa didn’t answer. She just got up and said, “Come on. There’s decorating to do and nog to drink.” She hiccuped on the word drink and let out a small laugh as she patted her chest.

“Maybe you should pace yourself today,” Clara said, taking her friend by the arm. As they walked out, Marissa stumbled slightly and Clara shook her head, mumbling, “It’s a good thing I drove today.”

“You’re not drunk, too?” Marissa asked, looking her up and down.

“No, sweetie. I only had a few sips. Now let’s get in the car and get our merry on, okay?”

“Yeah, okay.” Marissa reached for the driver’s door handle, but before she could get the door open, Clara guided her to the back seat.

“Dang, girl. That vodka hit you hard,” Clara said. “Usually you’re much better at holding your liquor.”

“I think Vanessa made them doubles,” Felicity said as she climbed into the front passenger seat. “That would mean our girl here drank four in like ten minutes. That’s a lot, even for her.”

“Whoa boy. Yep. Okay, let’s get her home and sobered up before she goes throwing mud around Danny’s shop.”

Felicity nodded. “That just means more nog for me.”