between home and the store. The terrified look on Santa Howard’s face reminded her of Michelangelo’s depiction of lost souls. He definitely had that look that he might bolt, and she wouldn’t blame him if he did.
Howard’s white knuckles gripped the chair arm, and she sensed he was determining whether to swat or not to swat. Her skin crawled each time the horrid thing moved, inching its way slowly up Howard’s arm. Why would anyone in his right mind have a freakin’ tarantula for a pet? And why in the world would he want its picture with Santa Claus?
She aimed the camera, closed her eyes and fired off four shots. A quick peek showed she had the image. She let out her breath and announced, “Done.” A trickle of sweat ran between her breasts.
Only Mandy seemed unfazed by the ordeal. She took the print as it came out of the printer and slid it into the Christmas card frame, attaching the receipt. “You pay for this at checkout,” she instructed the tarantula’s owner who was making cooing sounds toward the cage. Mandy then turned her attention to Kyndal with an annoyed sigh. “Okay, I’m outta here. I’m twenty-three minutes past break now.”
The store manager’s voice came over the loud speaker. “Kyndal Rawlings, please come to the manager’s office. Kyndal Rawlings, come to the manager’s office, please.”
Mandy’s growl brought a smile to Kyndal’s lips. She shrugged. “Sorry.” But she really wasn’t. Her smile broadened when she caught herself humming “Jingle Bells” along with the music coming over the loud speakers.
The manager’s office was a small glassed-in enclosure at the front of the store. She hurried that direction until the office came into view and then her steps slowed. Chance. In the office chatting with the owner. Her heart flip-flopped before bouncing into that quick rhythm it always hit when he was near.
Why was he there? If he expected her to pay for his ruined suit, she would remind him what happened was his fault. She’d warned him.
She jerked the door open and stepped into the small space, ready to field whichever ball he threw her way.
“Kyndal.” His eyes looked tired as they took her in, and he was unshaven, which made his features even darker and more brooding. But he smiled that infuriatingly, gorgeous smile, and instantly her brain went fuzzy.
“I’ll leave you two alone.” Nancy hustled out, and her absence seemed to make the walls close in tighter.
Kyndal didn’t trust the look in his eye…or the way his presence seemed to engulf her space. “What do you want, Chance?” She tapped her foot in annoyance. The tinkling bell on the tip of her toe ruined the desired effect. She watched one side of Chance’s full mouth lift, so she stopped tapping and crossed her arms instead.
His expression turned serious. “I just found out Dad worked against you on the magazine job, and I came to apologize, Kyn. I know how hard you worked, and how much you wanted that job. I’m sorry you were treated so unfairly.” The contrition in his voice sounded sincere.
Kyndal remained outwardly cool, despite the mixed emotions swarming through her body. “If you want me to say it’s okay, you’re in for a long wait, Counselor. I was treated unfairly. But I’ll survive.” She placed her hand on the door handle. “I have clients waiting. Thanks for the apology.”
“Wait!” In two strides, Chance stood beside her, his hand covering hers, holding the door closed. His familiar scent mixed with the cold from his clothes, filling the space between them and depriving her of air. She pulled her hand from the door and stepped away to gain some distance from him. “There’s more I want to say. I’m sorry for the way I’ve treated you.” His deep voice hummed with emotion. “The truth is…” He hesitated, ran his hand through his hair. “I love you, Kyndal.” His words gave her a claustrophobic feeling. She breathed deeply, fighting for her share of the oxygen in the tiny space.
His eyes held hers as he went on. “I love you, but I’ve been afraid to love you. I’ve snubbed you, thinking you weren’t good enough to have a part in my dreams.”
A flash of anger tore through Kyndal, hearing the truth spoken so brazenly. She opened her mouth to speak, but her breath sputtered to a stop when Chance took a step toward her.
“But I know now that I don’t have any dreams without you.”