Free Mistletoe Bachelors by Jennifer Snow Page A

her. “I take it you don’t like it?” He laughed.
    “How could anyone drink this?” She scanned the hotel lobby for the nearest garbage can and
the Starbucks .
Cole took the cup from her and handed her a different one. “Relax, I was kidding. Here is
your coffee.”
Madison hesitated until the familiar aroma drifted from the cup. She took a sip, savouring
the rich taste. The champagne the night before hadn’t been a good idea, given the early morning,
but she hadn’t been able to refuse the happy newly engaged couple. Her head ached, one look
outside at the bundled people passing by the frosted windows, and she moaned. This assignment
was more trouble than it was worth. Keep thinking about your future with the magazine.
“There’s Nathan.” Cole nodded toward the entrance. He grabbed his camera and tripod and
set off for the door.
Madison braced herself for the cold, tucking her head deeper into the collar of her coat and
followed him out to Nathan’s Hummer . The wind took her breath away as she waited for Cole to
open the passenger side door.
He helped her up into the large vehicle then climbed into the back seat behind her.
She shivered as a blast of heat hit her feet.
“Good morning, you two. Sorry about the early rise.” Nathan pulled the Hummer onto the
street.
“No problem. We’re looking forward to the shoot.” Cole looked like a kid waiting for Santa.
Nathan laughed. “Maybe you are, but Madison looks like she could have used more sleep.”
He glanced in her direction and patted her arm.
Madison gave a weak smile. “I am tired, but this will be fun.” She took another gulp of her
cooling coffee and leaned her head against the seat. Content to let the two men chat about the
shoot, her mind wandered, as she stared out the window. Fifth Avenue was quiet in the early hour
before dawn, rare for the busy street. Soon it would be full of people, scurrying to their day jobs
or holiday shopping. The street would come alive with glittering holiday lights and extravagant
window displays in the department stores. The sound of Christmas music playing in the cafes
and restaurants would drift through the opening doors. Escaping the festive sights and sounds
was a challenge every year and made her heart ache. Despite the time since their separation,
forgetting about Kurt and the divorce continued to be hard, and the holidays reminded her of the
loneliness she fought every day. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“Here we are.” Nathan said, breaking into her thoughts moments later. He turned the Hummer into the park.
Security guards flagged them inside a barricade and motioned to the parking area.
Nathan nodded in thanks.
“Wow, look at the amount of people on set.” Cole’s eyes shone with excitement.
Madison was impressed. Four cameramen and their assistants worked setting up additional
lighting and backdrops. Models stood under a large white tent, wrapped in big, bulky winter
coats and blankets to stay warm. Security guards milled about the perimeter of the park. Madison
hadn’t realized so much work or so many people were involved in the creation of the ads she redinked every quarter for the magazine.
Nathan led the way through the crowd to introduce them to the Gucci executives. Three men
in suits and overcoats huddled together over a laptop, reviewing the photo shoot line up and
making last minute changes to the rotation.
“Nathan, hi.” Erik Johnson, a Gucci executive shook Nathan’s hand.
“Erik, this is Madison Grey and Cole Harris from Women’s World .” Nathan accepted a cup
of coffee from one of the assistants. “Thank you.” He smiled.
Erik turned to Madison and Cole. “Welcome. It’s nice to meet you both. Cole, Nathan tells
us you are a very talented photographer, and I hear you’ve worked with some of our regular
models before. They speak highly of you as well.” He winked.
I bet they do . Madison shifted her eyes and shoved her hands into her pockets.