“I’ll have those out right away!” Sandy smiled as she took their menus and walked away.

Liam reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “So, no cookies?”

Roxanne smiled, shaking her head. “No, thank you. What is it they say? A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips?”

Liam burst out laughing. “You have nothing to worry about. You have a great figure.”

“It’s kind of you to say it, but—”

“I’ll tell you what,” Liam said, cutting her off. “If you have a Christmas cookie with me tonight, I’ll let you work out with me tomorrow.”

Roxanne burst out laughing. “You’ll ‘let’ me work out with you, huh?”

He shrugged. “It’s the least I could do.”

“Okay, you’re on!” Roxanne arched an eyebrow. “But do you think you can keep up with my workouts?”

Liam chuckled. “I’ll do my best to try.”

She laughed. “So, your place or mine?”

“Here you go!” Sandy set the cups of hot cider on the table before them. Steam rose from the cups, immediately filling the air with the sweet scent of apple cider. Sandy looked between them. “Are you ready to order?” Luckily, either she hadn’t heard the comment, or she had discreetly ignored it.

“I’ll have a stack of your blueberry pancakes, please.” Roxanne smiled as she closed her menu and handed it to Sandy.

Liam looked at her as if she were crazy. “Pancakes? Really?”

Roxanne shrugged. “Hey! What can I say? I like pancakes.”

He shrugged. “Okay then, blueberry pancakes it is for me, too.”

Sandy chuckled. “Okay! I’ll be right back with your meals.”

“Oh!” Roxanne interjected. “Could you bring some sugar-free syrup, too?”

Liam chuckled. “Not for me!”

Sandy smiled. “Okay, so two stacks of blueberry pancakes as well as sugar-free and regular syrup. I’ll be right back.”

Liam scoffed. “Who eats sugar-free syrup with pancakes?”

She shrugged. “I do.”

“Okay.” He nodded, smiling. “If you want sugar-free syrup, then fine.”

“I’m glad you approve,” Roxanne said flatly.

After Sandy walked away, Liam gave her a sly smile. “So, what was that about ‘your place or mine’?”

“For working out!” Roxanne quickly amended. “There’s a gym at my condo, and I know the The North Pole Lodge probably has one, too....”

Liam laughed. “I was only joking.”

Roxanne leaned in conspiratorially. “So was I.”

“Why don’t we meet at The North Pole Lodge tomorrow. Then we can shower and discuss a plan over lunch,” Liam said.

“‘We can shower’?” Roxanne teased, one corner of her lips curling into a mischievous smile.

Liam held up his hands, laughing. “Hey! That’s not what I meant, but if you want to go there—”

“Liam!” Roxanne burst out laughing. “I was only joking.”

He leaned in conspiratorially. “So was I.”

“Touché,” she replied, smiling. “So, are there showers in the gym?”

He grinned. “Well, not in the gym, but—”

“Liam!” She laughed.

“Hey, you started it,” he teased.

Roxanne took a sip of her hot apple cider as warmth filled her body. “Man! This is good! I haven’t had it for a while.”

“Really?” Liam’s eyebrows shot up as he took a sip. “Oh, wow! This is good! It tastes like my Mom’s.”

Roxanne raised an eyebrow. “Your mother cooks?”

Liam lowered his voice. “Actually, she has the chef make it under her direction, but we pretend that she makes it.” He laughed. “Why Chef Roberts puts up with it every year, I have no idea.”

Roxanne laughed. “Sounds like my mother.” She took another sip, and the taste of apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg filled her mouth. “This tastes like liquid hot apple pie.”

“Yes! It does, doesn’t it? I was trying to think of what it tasted like, and that’s it.” He took another sip, enjoying himself. “By the way, do you cook?”

Roxanne smiled, tilting her head to the side. “Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. I make a mean pot roast and fried chicken, and I can also make a great Cherries Jubilee and lots of other things.”

“Seriously?” Liam asked, his eyes wide in disbelief.

“Yup,” she replied. “I took some culinary classes in college. I always wanted to be able to take care of myself and my family one day. And since Mom didn’t know how to cook herself—”

“You thought you’d learn on your own,” Liam finished, smiling.

She shrugged. “Pretty much.”

“Do you have to work tomorrow?” Liam asked, stirring his hot cider with the cinnamon stick.

Roxanne shook her head. “I’m off. Kiki and Jocelyn have everything under control. I may go in late to close up or to make sure everything’s running smoothly, and we’re closed Sundays, so I’m officially off for the next few days, or close to it anyway.” She stirred her hot cider, tilting her head to the side. “What about you?”

He shrugged. “I haven’t had a day off in a long time, so I can take off any time. How about we make a day of it tomorrow? We’ll work out, have lunch, and then—if you’re not too sore from the workout—we can go Christmas shopping.”

“Uh huh,” Roxanne scoffed. “You mean if you’re not too sore.”

Liam chuckled. “Well, that may be the case, too.” He shrugged. “Either that, or we could go Christmas shopping Sunday.”

“Or you can work out at my place Sunday, and we’ll have lunch in the restaurant, and then shop, too,” Roxanne corrected. “Either that or I can cook. What do you like?”

Liam’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head. “Seriously? I haven’t had a homecooked meal in years. Other than what Chef Roberts cooks when I visit my parents.”

“Wow....” Roxanne grinned, shaking her head in disbelief. “What’s your favorite meal?”

He shrugged. “I love everything, but I really love lasagna, Chicken Marsala, and Chicken Cordon Blue.”

“Well, I don’t think I’ll make all three,” she teased, letting out an exaggerated breath. “Which one do you like the best?”

Liam reached over and held her hand. “What do you like?”

She smiled. “Why don’t I surprise you?”

“Okay.” Liam smiled. “But nothing too fancy. Just a home-cooked meal will be fine.”

Roxanne chuckled. “Sounds good.” As they made plans for the weekend, Roxanne had no idea how long their newfound friendship would last, but it was nice to have someone to commiserate with... even if it was just for the holidays.