The Perfect Christmas - Debbie Macomber [51]
“Oh.” She heard a world of disappointment in that one word. He didn’t say anything for a moment. “Did you tell Simon this?”
“Yes, I was in his office on Monday.” Could that have been just forty-eight hours ago? It seemed far longer; it seemed like a lifetime.
John hesitated again. “Then I don’t understand why Simon was so insistent that I call you.”
Cassie, however, was completely aware of his motivation. “I’m afraid…well, the man I fell in love with is Simon.”
“Oh.” There was a wealth of meaning in his short response. “I guess it would be safe to say he doesn’t return your feelings?”
Cassie believed he did. “Apparently not,” she said softly, hoping the pain she felt wasn’t obvious.
“I guess that explains why he urged me to contact you.”
She disagreed, but didn’t voice her opinion.
“I realize you…like Simon, but seeing that he doesn’t feel the same way, it might help if we met. Simon spoke highly of you on several occasions and I thought the two of us might have a lot in common.”
“What did he say about me?” she asked.
“Well…” He drew out the word. “He said that you’re thoughtful and caring of others.”
Despite herself, Cassie smiled. Simon had chosen to forget her negative attitude toward her neighbors and how she’d done everything she could to get out of hosting the pre-Christmas dinner party.
“He said you’re wonderful with children.”
“He did?” She closed her eyes and remembered the sad little girl who’d come to visit Santa. All that child wanted for Christmas was for her father to come home. Even the hardest heart would’ve been affected by such a request.
“He also said how generous you are to others.”
Cassie wasn’t sure that was true.
“And he told me you’re one of the most beautiful clients he’s ever had the pleasure of working with. He said your beauty is special because it’s internal as well as external.”
“That was kind of him.” Simon would cringe if he heard her say that. He didn’t receive compliments gladly.
“Actually, Simon couldn’t say enough good things about you. He urged me to ask you out and not to take no for an answer. You will meet me, won’t you?”
She probably should but couldn’t dredge up any enthusiasm for even a casual meeting. She needed time to deal with her complicated feelings for Simon. Her love was as strong now as when she’d stepped into his office two days earlier, and yet it was useless to believe he’d change his mind.
“I don’t know,” she said honestly.
“What would it hurt?” John asked. “All I’m suggesting is that the two of us have coffee together.”
He had a point, but she hesitated. “It’s, uh, nice that you’d still like to meet, especially since you know how I feel about Simon.”
“I do. From everything Simon had to say, it sounds as if we’re a perfect match. Or—” and she could hear the smile in his voice “—the most suitable one.”
That might’ve been true a few weeks ago, but it wasn’t anymore. She loved Simon.
“I think perhaps we should drop it for now,” she said.
To her surprise, John laughed. “Simon told me you’d say that, but he also said I should be persistent.”
Cassie straightened and a chill went down her spine. “Did he?”
“Yes. In fact, he said I shouldn’t listen to any arguments. He went so far as to say he’s introduced dozens of couples over the past few years and in all that time he’s never met two people who were a better fit for each other than you and me.”
Cassie had to restrain a laugh. Simon was doing his utmost to push her into the arms of another man, and his determination only served to confirm that she’d been right all along.
But telling John this would be touchy. “Why do you suppose he praised me so much?” she asked him.
“Well…”
“I suppose you’ve noticed that Simon isn’t really one for flattery.”
“Yeah.”
“When I first met him, I wasn’t sure what to think.”
“Me neither,” he said.
“He seemed way too dictatorial.”
“I hear a lot of people have the same feeling. The friend who told me about Simon and his matchmaking