Page 10 of Snowed Inn

Sera frowns. “I’d take her, but my cat would literally stage a coup.”

“Oh, no.” I let my disappointment show on my face via a hard frown. “So now I need to find someone with a heart of gold and no territorial felines in residence.”

“I’ll take her.”

I snap my head toward Jesse so fast I nearly give myself whiplash. “What?”

He shrugs, flipping his bar towel over one ridiculously muscled shoulder. “I’ll take the kitten.”

My eyes narrow. “Since when do you want a kitten?”

He leans casually on the bar. “Since I figured out a cat is less work than a dog, and I wouldn’t mind the company.”

I cross my arms over my chest. My eyes have narrowed to slits again. “Uh-huh. And?”

His lips twitch. “And what? You just said the kitten needs a home.”

“I also said she needs an owner with a heart of gold.”

“Ouch.” He tilts his head, the corner of his mouth quirking.

I continue to glare at him.

“Wow,” he says, holding up his hands defensively. “I offered to take in a helpless kitten, and you’re debating it? That’s cold, Agostini.”

“I have trust issues,” I mutter. We engage in a sort of stare off for a few seconds before I drop my gaze from his and mutter, “I’ll think about it.”

Sera snorts.

Jesse chuckles, shaking his head. “All right, principessa. Take your time. My offer’s not going anywhere.”

“Stop calling me that.” I scowl. Why am I angry at his offer to take the kitten? My reaction makes no sense, but I feel defiance rising in me like a petty little hot-air balloon.

Jesse winks and disappears into the kitchen.

And, yes, I feel a little thrill because of that wink. Which I immediately squash. And also blame on the damn peppermint martini. That cocktail has done me no favors.

I turn back to Sera. “Do you think Charlotte might want the kitten?” Charlotte is Aiden’s younger sister, who also works at the inn. She’s twenty-four and a sweetheart. I don’t know her that well either—we collaborated last fall to get the inn and orchard’s social media popping—but she’s got a huge heart and seems like the exact sort of person who would take in a homeless animal.

Sera laughs. “Maybe. But Jesse just said he does want one.”

I roll my eyes, but deep down, I have to admit—it’s kind of sweet that he offered.

Not that I’m going to tell him that.

Chapter 4

Tonight, we’re having Christmas Eve dinner in El’s parents’ apartment, which is tucked behind the front desk of the inn. Her parents and Aiden’s are on a ten-day cruise to the Caribbean, but they don’t mind El using their place. It’s kind of the unofficial employee break room, actually.

Besides, Ellie and Charlotte have to stay close to the front desk in case any of the guests need something. El refuses to allow the guests’ stays to be diminished by the blizzard. They were all served a beautiful candlelit dinner in the private dining room beneath a gorgeous crystal chandelier. After I got back from the barn, I peeked in. It looked straight out of a luxury holiday commercial. Ellie truly is an amazing event planner. If she ever wanted to go back to planning events in the city, she’d have her pick of jobs. But she’s happy here, and that’s what matters.

Luckily, a handful of staff (including Jesse and the chef) live on the property. It’s a skeleton crew, but they are making it work despite the storm.

Before I go downstairs, there’s something important I gotta do. I click Luca’s contact and hit the FaceTime button. It rings only twice before his familiar face swings across the screen. “Hey, look who it is!” he exclaims.

There is holiday chaos in the background. Mass being read on TV, Mom and Dad laughing, my nieces squealing with excitement, and Veronica and Jackie talking a mile a minute.

“Hey,” I manage and I can clearly hear the sad trombone music implied in my voice.