Page 30 of A Newport Christmess

In my periphery, I could see him nod, but he said nothing.

I spun back toward him. “To be honest, I’m kind of sick of your Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde routine. I don’t know what I did to make you upset, but I’m sorry—whatever it was.”

“That had to be the shortest silent treatment in the history of silent treatments.”

“I didn’t realize how hard it is to be silent when the other person is acting like an imbecile and needs to be told.”

“Weren’t you the one who just apologized to me?”

I narrowed my eyes. “After I compared you to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. That was the main point. Besides, I can’t help it. I’m an over-apologizer.”

“An over-apologizer,” he said, accentuating each word. “I didn’t realize that was a thing.”

I gestured to myself. “Case and point.”

“Case in point, actually.”

“Ugh! You’re so aggravating.” Another shiver moved through me.

“And you’re freezing. Let’s wait for Nikki and Kade inside.”

“Your diversion tricks won’t always work, you know.” I glanced longingly toward the store Landon had indicated, well aware it would work this time. “Eventually, we’re going to have to figure this out because there’s no way I’m going to your sister’s wedding with you otherwise. I’ve had enough stiff conversations and second-guessing myself to last me well beyond Christmas.”

“If you want, we can chat about it now, here in the cold.”

I threw one last irritated scowl in Landon’s direction, then allowed my frozen toes to carry me toward salvation.

NINE

LANDON

I lingered near the door, watching Quinn peruse the racks of women’s clothing. Her shivering had subsided a few minutes ago, and she was now contentedly swaying to the Christmas music, even lip-synching the words occasionally. I chuckled quietly before rebuking myself. No. I wouldn’t let her affect me. Not anymore. Especially since I again suspected Nikki really was trying to set the two of us up. Why else would Kade refuse to bring me home after the meeting in Boston? Unless he’d gone rogue with his own matchmaking scheme—or more like a keep-me-away-from-his-cousin scheme. But it made more sense that Kade was doing Nikki’s bidding, and she was using the threat of Tyler and Rachel as an inciting factor to force Quinn and me together. She was probably stoked I’d asked Quinn to the wedding.

“Can I help you with something?” A barrel-chested man with a long beard and a sleeve of tattoos approached me. I was over six inches taller than him, but considering his arms were probably the same circumference as my thighs, I felt sufficiently intimidated.

I caught sight of his employee name badge. “Thanks, Jim, but I’m fine.”

“Are you here to buy something?”

Was this guy desperate for a commission or something? “Nope. But I’ll let you know if that changes.”

His line of sight shifted to Quinn, probably realizing she was a more promising customer, and I followed it. She picked up a thick, black coat and held it to her with a mesmerizing smile before glancing at the price tag. Her eyes went wide, and she set the coat back on the rack like it had deeply offended her.

“Sir?”

I glanced back toward the voice, surprised to find Jim standing in the same spot as before.

He flicked his head in Quinn’s direction. “Do you know that woman?”

“Why?” I asked, feeling suddenly defensive of her. Did this guy want me to introduce him? Because that definitely wasn’t happening.

“Is there a problem, sir?” Quinn wove through the clothing racks, coming toward us.

“Do you know this guy?” Jim asked, his tone a lot friendlier with her.

Amusement lit Quinn’s face at the same time I realized the reason for this man’s interrogation. “We’re friends,” I said, waiting for Quinn to confirm my innocence.

Her lips pursed, like she was considering my claim.