Christmas Cookies and Coworkers (Paperback)

Chapter 1
Gabriel hovered near the reception desk, his focus remaining locked on Eve. The fifteen-foot Christmas tree offered a backdrop that only made her look more beautiful. She was like a regal princess. From her dark hair to her green eyes, he still couldn’t believe that some guy hadn’t swept her off her feet.
Then again, Eve was the kind of woman who didn’t seem to put much priority on her own love life. She was always working. Here at the resort was where he’d first met her. From the moment he had, he knew she was special.
The problem was she didn’t feel the same about him. It had been so clear that he’d chosen to become her friend rather than her love interest.
Gabriel glanced over at the guy who’d just found the engagement ring for his future bride as he made his way toward the elevator. That man’s question had thrown everything off-balance. If a stranger could tell Gabriel had feelings for Eve, then who else had noticed?
He prayed Eve hadn’t. Boy, that would be embarrassing. If she knew he liked her, and she hadn’t said anything, either she was being a good friend, or she felt more awkward about the whole thing than he did.
A sigh burst from his lips. It wasn’t like Eve would ever be interested in him anyway. If he’d ever seen even a glimpse that she might have feelings for him, he would have asked her out on the spot. So here he stood, admiring her from afar—always watching but never quite being part of her life in the way that he wanted most.
“Gabe, I need you to man the counter at the ice-skating rink.”
Gabriel started and glanced to his right. His manager scanned a document in his hand, not looking up. The man was in his mid-fifties and claimed he ran this resort because there were two things he cared about most—creating connections between people and Christmas.
Well, if he was so interested in creating connections, he should have paid more attention to the people who worked for him.
Stephen glanced up at Gabriel. “Well? They’re short, and we have a large group heading that way.”
Gabriel straightened and gave his boss a nod. “Of course.” He headed through the lobby, slowing his steps as he passed Eve. She looked up at him from her clipboard and flashed him a smile, stirring those familiar reactions in his chest. They’d probably hang out after their shifts like they usually did.
Their evenings were always the same. Eve would chat excitedly about some couple she interacted with. Gabriel would let her take control of the conversation because he loved hearing her talk. Maybe they’d go ice-skating or spend some time at the pool. Then they’d part ways without anything remotely romantic. He was content with this. They’d been doing it for two years now.
So why was he suddenly wondering if he was doing something wrong?
If he confessed that he liked her, he could lose everything. Friendships didn’t last as long when the two individuals didn’t feel the same level of attraction. Gabriel tore his focus from her and headed out the door.
He’d made the right call. Eve was out of his league anyway.
Gabriel arrived at the rink a mere five minutes before the large group that Stephen had mentioned showed up. A group of couples in their seventies were on-site for some program. It was possible that Eve had told him about it, but he couldn’t recall.
About thirty minutes later, he was just standing behind the counter, waiting for people to bring their skates back. His eyes followed one couple after another slowly making their way around the rink. All the Christmas songs that played over the intercom seemed to bleed into one another.
Gabriel rested his elbows on the countertop. It was probably time to find someone of his own—someone who could make him happy. Someone who wasn’t Eve.
“Hey.”
Speak of the devil. Gabriel turned his head in a slow, lazy motion. “Hey.”
Eve placed her hands on the counter and climbed over to his side, forcing him to move out of the way. “I got off a little early, so I thought we could hang out.”
Gabriel gestured toward the rink that was nearly filled to the brim. “I don’t think I’m going to get out of here as soon as you’d like. Maybe you could go hang out with Amy.”
Eve made a face. “Did you hear? She’s dating Finn. They’re inseparable.”
Biting back a smile, Gabriel pulled his focus from Eve and put it back on the rink. “You don’t seem too pleased about it.”
“Amy? With Finn? There’s no way they’re going to last. Besides, workplace relationships rarely do. And what are they going to do when they get done with this gig over the holidays? I’m pretty sure they live in completely different states.”
“You don’t think they’d find a way to make it work?” Gabriel could feel his throat closing up already. It wasn’t that relationship talk was hard for him to handle. At least, it hadn’t been before that guy brought Eve to his attention. For some reason, Gabriel couldn’t stomach this tidbit of information.
Eve might have seemed disinterested in him, but she’d also appeared less than enthused about anyone else who worked here. He’d thought it had something to do with just not wanting a relationship. But maybe it had more to do with her opinions of dating someone at work.
She leaned forward and rested her elbows next to his on the counter. Their shoulders bumped against each other’s, and she set her focus on the rink just like he had. “I mean, I guess it could work if they were really in love.”
“And you know they aren’t.”
A smile tugged at her lips, and she nudged her shoulder against his. “Hey! I’ve been at this a long time. You know that. And if I know anything, it’s getting a feel for how well a couple will mesh. Amy and Finn don’t at all.”
Gabriel scrunched up his face. “Isn’t Finn new?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, if he’s new, then how would you know? Wouldn’t it be better for you to get to know him first? Maybe he’s the right kind of guy for Amy.”
Eve snorted. “Amy only likes him because he’s the flavor of the season.”
Gabriel’s brow lifted, and he turned slightly to stare at her. “Flavor? Are you suggesting that the girls talk about the guys around here as if they’re ice cream?”
She gave him a pointed look. “You know as well as anyone here that is exactly what’s happening. What else are those girls going to discuss?”
“I dunno, their jobs?”
Eve laughed. “In a perfect world, you might be right. But the fact is that we come out here for the holiday season to work for other couples. It’s hard not to succumb oneself to thoughts of romance when you’re surrounded by it on a daily basis.”
He nudged her. “So what about you?”
“What about me?”
“You entertaining any romantic thoughts?”
She lifted a shoulder. “Maybe I did once upon a time.” Eve shook her head. “But right now? Nah. I have so much on my plate. I don’t have time for something like that.”
“Well, maybe you should.”

(Prequel) Saving Paradise Resort
1. Christmas Honeymoon For One
2. Merry Mistletoe Wedding
3. Christmas Cookies and Coworkers
4. Made for Mistletoe Mix-up
5. A Sweet Paradise Holiday Reunion