The 6'1" Grinch by Tiffany White Read Free Book Online Page B

wasn’t.
    â€œOh, lighten up, Noel. I’m going to have to be fingerprinted for my job if the news media have their way. Some dumb study found there are more felons in real estate than any other profession. Since we have access to people’s homes…”
    â€œSpeaking of homes, your beeper didn’t go off signaling we had a deal on my offer, did it?”
    â€œI’d have told you.” She exited the parking lot.
    â€œEven in all the excitement?”
    â€œI know you don’t believe it, but I’m good at my job.”
    â€œSo you sold John a house?”
    â€œYeah, the cutest little starter house when he got promoted to store manager.”
    They drove down Lindbergh through Kirkwood. Big red lanterns covered each streetlight and swags of greenery trailed down the poles.
    Hollie loved it.
    Noel just sulked, refusing to let Hollie cheer him up. Refusing to admit his attraction to Hollie.
    But Hollie didn’t need anyone to have fun. She could have fun all by herself. She had learned how to growing up alone more or less.
    She began singing Madonna’s saucy version of “Santa Baby” as they headed for Garvey’s Restaurant on Telegraph. Their special onion blossom appetizer and an ice-cold St. Louis brewery product would put Noel in a much better mood; she just knew it.
    Noel sat across from her feeling like Wile E. Coyote having run off a cliff, his body still in free-fall. Hollie Winslow could make him furious, laugh, shy—she could make him feel. She was a dangerous woman. The sooner he bought a house the better.
    He’d only really just met her and he already knew.
    He felt sexier all over.
    He’d volunteered to go shopping with her.
    He’d volunteer to do anything to be with her.
    It was too fast. He didn’t want it.
    He wanted it desperately.
    Most of all he didn’t want to disappoint her.
    Garvey’s was a bistro cum sports bar. It was known for its delicious food, casual atmosphere, fifty-two-inch televisions you could see from every table and cold beer by the bucket at an economy price. Since two could eat a tasty meal for under twenty dollars, the place was always busy, even on a Wednesday night. Of course, Hollie being in real estate seven days a week, one day seemed much like any other.
    When they were seated Hollie noticed Miracle on 34th Street was playing on every television screen. She grinned to herself, thinking how very much Noel would love to be able to escape the sentimental movie.
    Hollie suggested she order since she knew the menu by heart, and Noel acquiesced. She ordered the onion blossom appetizer that Garvey’s had built its reputation on. Unlike most fried onions, these weren’t greasy. The batter was just sweet and crisp. The pretty young waitress brought them and two cold beers while they waited for their grilled chicken pastas.
    â€œAre you sure your beeper’s working?” Noel asked.
    â€œIt’s working,” she promised. “You’ve got to be patient. A lot of emotion is involved in letting go of a house, even if you’ve made the decision to sell. I’ve had people change their minds at the very last second.”
    â€œBut you think I’ll get the house?”
    â€œI don’t know. It hasn’t been on the market that long. The probability is that they will at least counter your first offer.”
    â€œSo this could drag out a while…”
    â€œYes. Try the onion blossom and quit worrying. That’s my job. Have you seen this movie?” she couldn’t resist asking as Noel bit into the fragrant onion petals and made approving noises. “I just love it.”
    â€œI’ve managed to avoid it so far.” He glanced up at the screen, then away quickly, as if the Christmas spirit might be catching.
    â€œSo how come you want to buy a house instead of renting, or just living in a hotel while you’re opening a new store here?” she asked.