“We’llhelp,” Carter corrects.
I roll my eyes. “Yes,we’llhelp.”
“Thank you so much!” The way my sister’s face transforms with a big smile evaporates my annoyance.
“We appreciate it, you guys,” Doug says.
“I’ll email you everything unfinished on the list. And if you have any questions at all, call me. If I’m not on set, I’ll be able to pick up. Otherwise, leave a message.”
I sigh. I’m already busy enough through to this weekend because of Santa Fest. This is the last thing I needed added to my list. “Okay, as soon as you send it over, I’ll take a look and let you know if I have any questions.”
“You guys are the best! Thank you,” Steph says, then someone calls her name in the background. “I’m needed on set again. Talk to you both soon.”
She hangs up before Carter and I can say anything else.
“Unbelievable.” I shake my head and grab my phone off the holder, standing.
“On the bright side, you have an available room, right?” Carter smiles. “Steph and Doug’s room?”
Oh shit, he’s right. “Yeah, it’s right next to mine.”
Chapter Six
CARTER
Although Ashley isn’t excited about me staying at her B&B, she doesn’t kick me out.
Part of me knew she wouldn’t. She may not like me, but she’s a good person, and no way she would send me out into the cold. Had it not been for Steph and Doug being unable to show up, I’m not sure if I could have convinced Ashley to let me sleep on the couch, though.
Walking into the room that would have been theirs, I’m sure it’s the nicest room in the place. It’s got its own bathroom, a wood-burning fireplace, a small seating area, and even a window seat that overlooks the spacious backyard and the line of evergreen trees beyond. It even has its own fully decorated Christmas tree tucked in the corner.
Getting to stay in this room is the only good part about my two best friends being unable to get here to plan their wedding. The worst part is that I have to work with Ashley to set everything up. Not because I don’t like her, but because she doesn’t like me. Then again, maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. Perhaps the two of us being forced to hang out together will help to bridge the distance between us. One can only hope.
The next morning, I join the Santas at the breakfast table at nine. Even though I met them all last night, I can’t keep straight who wants to be referred to as Nick, Nicholas, or Mr. Claus. With so many variations, there must be duplicates. So instead of saying hello by their name, I go the generic route. “Good morning, gentlemen. What’s on the schedule for today?”
“Candy cane eating contest,” the one who I think refers to himself as Nick says.
“Interesting.” I reach for a plate of bacon in the center of the table. “How does one go about devouring a candy cane? Are we talking chewing or sucking?”
The Santas laugh, and it’s a big ego rush for me. They might be the happiest people I’ve ever met, or they are just really polite, since they laugh at everything I say.
Ashley breezes into the room, holding a plate of pancakes. “How about you stop corrupting my guests?” There’s a lightness in her tone that wasn’t there yesterday. Day two, and we’re already making progress.
“Now where would be the fun in that?” I grin when she sits in the empty seat directly across from me.
She shakes her head, but one corner of her mouth turns up, as though she finds me amusing but doesn’t want to admit it.
Something about her looks different today. I can’t quite place it until I’ve finished loading my plate with the spread she’s set out. Her hair hangs in waves down past her shoulders. She’s curled it, rather than wearing it straight the way Steph does, and the way she wore it on the first night we met. She’s also wearing a hunter green sweater—a color that Steph complained about one St. Patrick’s Day when she showed up in red for us to go bar hopping, stating the color green only made her hair look more red. Seeing Ashley now, I can see Steph’s complaint was justified, but in my opinion, it only makes Ashley look more beautiful. Her freckles are a little more pronounced and the goldflecks in her hazel eyes sparkle. Suddenly, my mind wanders to her under me as I thrust into her. In my mind, her red hair is wild, and her skin is flushed pink.
“Why are you staring at me?”
It’s like a needle screeches across a record, stopping all fantasies, and I shake my head. Ashley’s forehead is wrinkled as she glares at me. I guess we aren’t playing nice anymore.
“Sorry, I was thinking…about something,” I mumble, staring at my plate, forking some of the hashbrowns, feeling my cheeks heat.
What the hell am I thinking? Ashley is not hot. She cannot be hot. I’ve already been down this road. She’s identical to my best friend. Looks completely the same as my other best friend’s soon-to-be wife.
During breakfast, Ashley remains quiet. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m here or if it’s her usual demeanor, although I don’t think so. As soon as breakfast is finished, all the Santas depart the dining room to get suited up for the day.
