Read Online Home for the Holidays by Debbie Macomber - Free Book Online

she’d ever seen. The top was crowded with no less than ten tempting toppings, all covered with a thick layer of hot melted cheese.
    â€œDo you accept my humble apology?” Joe pressed, waving the pizza under her nose.
    â€œAre there any anchovies on that thing?”
    â€œOnly on half.”
    â€œYou’re forgiven.” She took him by the elbow and dragged him inside her apartment.
    Cait led the way into the kitchen. She got two plates from the cupboard and collected knives, forks and napkins as she mentally reviewed his crimes. “I couldn’t believe you actually said that,” she mumbled, shaking her head. She set the kitchen table, neatly positioning the napkins after shoving the day’s mail to one side. “Theleast you can do is tell me why you found it necessary to say that in front of Paul. Lindy had already started grilling me. Can you imagine what she and Paul must think now?” She retrieved two wineglasses from the cupboard and set them by the plates. “I’ve never been more embarrassed in my life.”
    â€œNever?” he prompted, opening and closing her kitchen drawers until he located a corkscrew.
    â€œNever,” she repeated. “And don’t think a pizza’s going to ensure lasting peace.”
    â€œI wouldn’t dream of it.”
    â€œIt’s a start, but you’re going to owe me a long time for this prank, Joseph Rockwell.”
    â€œI’ll be good,” he promised, his eyes twinkling. He agilely removed the cork, tested the wine and then filled both glasses.
    Cait jerked out a wicker-back chair and threw herself down. “Did Paul say anything after I left?”
    â€œAbout what?” Joe slid out a chair and joined her.
    Cait had already dished up a large slice for each of them, fastidiously using a knife to disconnect the strings of melted cheese that stretched from the box to their plates.
    â€œAbout me, of course,” she growled.
    Joe handed her a glass of wine. “Not really.”
    Cait paused and lifted her eyes to his. “Not really? What does that mean?”
    â€œOnly that he didn’t say much about you.”
    Joe was taunting her, dangling bits and pieces of information, waiting for her reaction. She should have known better than to trust him, but she was so anxious to find out what Paul had said that she ignored her pride. “Tell me everything he said,” she demanded, “word for word.”
    Joe had a mouthful of pizza and Cait was left to wait several moments until he swallowed. “I seem to recall he said you explained that the two of us go a long way back.”
    Cait straightened, too curious to hide her interest. “Did he look concerned? Jealous?”
    â€œPaul? No, if anything, he looked bored.”
    â€œBored,” Cait repeated. Her shoulders sagged with defeat. “I swear that man wouldn’t notice me if I pranced around his office naked.”
    â€œThat’s a clever idea, and one that just might work. Maybe you should practice around the house first, get the hang of it. I’d be willing to help you out if you’re serious about this.” He sounded utterly nonchalant, as though she’d suggested subscribing to cable television. “This is what friends are for. Do you need help undressing?”
    Cait took a sip of her wine to hide a smile. Joe hadn’t changed in twenty years. He was still witty and fun-loving and a terrible tease. “Very funny.”
    â€œHey, I wasn’t kidding. I’ll pretend I’m Paul and—”
    â€œYou promised you were going to be good.”
    He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “I will be. Just you wait.”
    Cait could feel the tide of color flow into her cheeks. She quickly lowered her eyes to her plate. “Joe, cut it out. You’re making me blush and I hate to blush. It makes my face look like a ripe tomato.” She lifted her slice of pizza and bit into it,