in that time, I’ve never seen him date anyone. Besides that, don’t you think our careers say it all?”
Nat’s brow furrowed. “Lawyer and innkeeper?” she asked, confusion heavy in her tone.
“I think she probably means wedding planner and divorce attorney,” Asher said, his arm slung around Nat’s shoulders in an easy embrace as they walked.
“Bingo.”
Nat waved a hand through the air. “Oh, who cares about all that. You plan weddings, and he plans divorces. Big fucking deal. What’s the harm in givin’ him a chance?”
The harm was that in all the times Sadie had imagined her Prince Charming, she might have imagined Cole’s dirty-blond hair or his pale-blue eyes or his tall, hard body and how it fit so perfectly against hers. How, in only a short time, he somehow knew how she took her hot chocolate and brought her a fresh cup when he arrived at the inn, or that he could tell when she hadn’t eaten supper and offered some of his pizza that just so happened to be topped with all her favorites.
But one thing she’d never imagined was falling in love with someone who believed so surely in love’s inevitable demise, he’d made a career out of it.
Chapter Ten
This was Cole’s third Christmas in Havenbrook but his first time experiencing the town’s famous Sip and Shop event. The streets were bustling, the Square packed with townsfolk and those who traveled in just for it. Which was exactly why he usually opted out of attending. He’d grown used to flying under the radar—when the rumors surrounding his and his ex-wife’s split began surfacing, he’d made it a point to keep his private life private—but when his sister had called and told him she and her daughter were visiting him specifically to attend, he’d reluctantly agreed.
Though they both knew the reluctant part was all an act. Between her, their mom, and his niece, he could be talked into just about anything. It wouldn’t surprise him if he were actually physically unable to say no to the three most important women in his life. Case in point, the call from his momma yesterday. Though he couldn’t say he regretted it. After they’d hung up, he’d contacted the shelter in town, that serviced the surrounding area as well, and offered his services anytime they needed them. He’d done it so he could tell Jemma that it was something he offered to everyone, not just her. But he couldn’t deny that as he’d left the office last night, he’d felt better than he had in a long time.
“I can’t get over how adorable Havenbrook is,” Carly said, her eyes bright as she glanced around the Square. “Seriously, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a Hallmark movie being filmed down the street.”
It was late, the sky dark, but the streets were brightly lit with holiday lights. Stores were open later tonight to accommodate what appeared to be the entire population of Havenbrook, some even setting up stands outside with holiday confections and festive hot beverages to counteract the chill. Townsfolk wrapped up tightly in their winter gear strolled, arm in arm, through the streets, their laughter ringing along with the distant harmony of carolers.
Cole rolled his eyes and glanced down at his sister. “You still watch those things?”
She scoffed and lightly slapped his arm. “Of course I do. What kind of question is that? I like to be happy during the holidays, and sappy, romantic movies make me happy. I’ve gotten Whitney hooked on them too.”
He groaned. “C’mon, Carly. Don’t fill her head with idealistic garbage.”
She turned to him, her eyebrows raised. “Oh, so romance is idealistic garbage?”
“That’s not what I said.” Though, yes, that too. Cole’s life—hell, Carly’s too—was proof enough of that. “What’s idealistic is the idea of two people bein’ together forever.”
“I see someone peed in your Cheerios this mornin’.”
Cole ran a hand over his jaw and shook his head. “Nothing new there.”
Carly glanced ahead to Whitney, the teen’s phone illuminating her face as she managed to type and walk at the same time, instinctively dodging both people and inanimate objects. Lowering her voice, she said, “Look, I know Amber totally screwed up your outlook—”
He snorted. Yeah, his ex-wife—and ex-best friend—had messed with him, but it didn’t start there. “My outlook was tainted well before that. Or have you forgotten about our father? Or how about hers?” he asked, lifting a chin toward Whitney.
Their dad hadn’t stuck around past Carly’s first birthday, and Whitney’s hadn’t lasted past the