Cari Lynn - In Love By Christmas

Theo returned his attention to the photograph of the woman and the dog. Once again, he searched for the reason this one simple picture fascinated him. It was more than the perfectly placed lighting. Or the backdrop. Or the vibrant subjects. If he’d been asked to give a definition for carefree , he’d have chosen the picture. But he’d never been carefree in his life. Never considered such an impractical sentiment until now.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Mia’s work is exceptional.” Josie appeared beside Theo and pointed to a photograph. “Are you thinking about hiring her?”

“I already have.” It was the woman beside Theo that worried him. He turned toward Josie, extended his hand and, for the first time since middle school, stumbled over his own name.

Her blue eyes were too round, her smile too honestly genuine, her face too guileless. And those wisps of blond hair brushing against her pale cheeks—he’d bet anything the soft curls were natural. She was too natural. Too refreshing. Even more distracting than the photograph. The photograph she was featured in. The one that now seemed to be laughing at him. “Theo Taylor,” he finally managed to say.

She reached for her scarf, rather than his hand. The silk fabric loosened around her neck as her fingers tangled in the frayed ends, as if she was struggling to hide something. “This is an unexpected surprise. I wasn’t aware we’d confirmed a meeting time.”

She was an unexpected surprise. Theo avoided surprises. He never liked the disruption that surprises caused in his routine. Knowing what to expect in any given situation gave him the advantage and that was often the difference between winning or losing. He followed her toward the fitting area. “Can I offer you some business advice? You really shouldn’t give your services away for free.”

Josie draped the measuring tape around her neck, letting the ends twist around her scarf. Disapproval twisted through her voice. “You really shouldn’t eavesdrop on conversations that don’t affect you.”

He shrugged. “Free services are not a sustainable business model. There is no profit in free .”

She walked into her workroom and rolled a dress form in front of her. She eyed him as if he was more distasteful than Shanna’s secondhand wedding dress. “You probably haven’t heard of Penny’s Place.”

The annoyance in her tone set him back. She dared to judge to him. Dared to make herself even more appealing. He centered his focus on her, letting his gaze narrow. “Coast to Coast Living has donated to Penny’s Place every year for the past decade. Penny is well-known for the sanctuary she provides to women in need of a safe place to recover and rebuild their lives.”

“But you’ve never spent time inside Penny’s Place,” she said. “Never met any of the women who live there.”

He didn’t have to stand inside Penny’s Place to understand the value of Penny’s nonprofit organization. The Taylor family and Coast to Coast Living supported many charitable organizations in the city and around the country. He wouldn’t defend himself to her. “I have not.”

“Shanna Jennings—the bride-to-be that just stood on this platform—recently moved out of Penny’s Place.” Josie set her hand on the body form as if to find her balance. Anguish creased her forehead, pulling her eyebrows together. “Her story isn’t mine to share. Shanna has more than earned a fairy-tale wedding. I have the opportunity to be a small part of her new life. That means something to me.”

She had an opportunity to turn a profit, too, and chose not to. Josie acted as if she was being granted permission to work for Shanna, not doing Shanna a large favor. A very large, very free favor.

Josie Beck was obviously a good person. But charity should never stand in the way of profit. Everything had its place. Charity was separate from the daily tasks and standard practices of any business.

He couldn’t recall the last time he’d done something for free. Something for the simple pleasure it gave him. He always considered the business first. Always considered the corporation’s bottom line. Always . And he wouldn’t go soft now because of some selfless, misguided wisp of a dressmaker no matter how much she charmed him.

He picked up the design book that was lying open on the corner of the platform. The drawing was similar to how she’d described the alterations to Shanna. He could almost envision the finished dress. Almost .

He flipped through more pages. Nothing sparked inside him. Nothing leaped from the page and commanded his attention. He wanted more for Adriana. He needed more for his sister’s wedding. His sister might be getting married, but Coast to Coast Living would be reflected in every detail of the day. Perfection was expected.

Josie might be appealing, but Theo feared she lacked the experience and sophistication required for such an event. “I’m sorry for interrupting your morning, but I don’t see anything suitable for my sister.”

She yanked the book out of Theo’s hands. Her fingers clutched the binder and it seemed as if she was debating whether or not to bash him on the side of the head. “These designs are for my current clientele, modest and affordable.” He could hear the irritation in her voice. Her words came out like finely sharpened tacks.

Theo crossed his arms over his chest, blocking her barbs. He refused to be swayed. “And not original.”

She pressed her design book into the seat cushion of the couch and held her position.

“You’re using the base of consignment dresses to build from,” he accused. He couldn’t back down. He’d given his word to his sister. Not to mention the other promises he’d made. He had a family and company to protect. “Rather than the dresses being your own work from start to finish.”

She straightened and faced him. Anger lit her gaze. “When I’m finished, you won’t be able to tell where the vintage dress ends and the current one begins.”

He doubted that. He didn’t doubt that Josie Beck was much too interesting.

“Come back for Shanna’s final fitting.” She lifted her chin, straightened her shoulders and met his gaze: challenge for challenge. Nothing timid about her. “Then you can judge me.”

“I might just do that.” Not because he wanted to see her again. Only because he wanted to prove her wrong. “But I don’t know when that fitting will be. About two weeks isn’t a very definitive date. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have scheduled meetings to attend.”

She blocked his path. “I only need to meet Adriana and I can design an exclusive gown for her.” Her voice dipped into that hard-nosed, implacable business edge he often relied on to get the results he expected.

Theo gaped at her. Why wasn’t she backing down? This small-time boutique owner, more concerned about her goodwill deeds than ensuring a profit. “Excuse me.”

“I’d like to meet Adriana before you dismiss my work,” she repeated in that same inflexible tone. She stretched out her words as if she were stretching out her backbone. Theo approved and moved toward her, certain she wouldn’t back away. He hadn’t enjoyed a business meeting this much since…

He stopped abruptly. Business was business. Not fun. Not playful. Definitely not joyful.

Still, one meeting was all she was asking for. She was talented, at least reflected in her drawing book. Besides, he already had an idea stirring for Josie Beck. One that would boost her boutique and career without jeopardizing his sister’s perfect wedding. He could be kind when he chose to. And make a profit. “Lunch tomorrow at Jasmine Blue Café. Eleven thirty.” He motioned to her sketchbook on the couch. “If you have original designs not inside your book, bring those, too.”