Carter recovers faster than I do, turning to bestow his usual grin on her. “It’s a great town.”
“You know, I do have a room available at the inn now that the Santas have left town.” Her statement hangs, and Carter looks at me as though to gauge whether I want him to stay at my B&B or not.
Panic twists in my stomach at the idea of him leaving.
He must see something in my expression because he turns back to Ester. “I appreciate that, but I’m already settled, and it makes it a little easier now that Ashley and I are having to help with the wedding.”
She turns to me, concern in her gaze. “Oh? What’s going on?”
I explain to her what happened with my sister’s schedule and how Carter and I have stepped up to ensure things go smoothly for their big day.
“Well, I’m sure you both have it handled. I heard Neil was able to fix your fridge.”
“He was. Thank you again for sending him over.” I manage to hold the smile on my face. No mother wants to hear that her son was a little too pushy when it came to asking for a date.
“Oh, he was more than happy to help. He was supposed to come tonight, but something came up.”
I watch Carter take a long drink from his eggnog, and when he pulls the cup away from his mouth, his lips are pressed into a hard line.
“Well, I really do appreciate his help,” I say.
Ester turns to Carter, and he schools the severity of his expression into a more neutral one.
“Will you be participating in the festivities later?” Her head cocks to the side.
Carter’s gaze flicks to me, but I shake my head, unsure what she’s referring to. “What festivities are those?”
“The Santa Strip Tease. It’s a new thing this year. Holiday music plays while a Santa strips down to his underwear, but to keep the song going, money has to be donated every twenty seconds. All the money goes to the local elementary school.”
I already know what Carter looks like in a Santa suit, but now I’m picturing what he’d look like out of one. Of course, mycheeks betray my thoughts, heating so hot I feel as if I’m in front of the fireplace.
Carter must notice it too because he chuckles. “I’m not sure, Ester. We’ll have to see.”
She faces me. “You know, women can participate too. It’s for a great cause.”
My eyes widen, and my cheeks get even hotter. “Um… I think I’ll pass. I’ll donate though.”
She opens her mouth, and I fear she’s going to press this issue, but thankfully, the universe is looking out for me because my phone buzzes in my back pocket. I pull it out and see that it’s my sister.
“Excuse me, I’m just going to step out to take this.” I hold up my phone and rush out into the hallway, not wanting to miss this call. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for days,” I answer as I step out of the room.
“I know I’m sorry. The schedule has been brutal since we’re trying to get this done before the holidays. If I’m not on set, then I’m sleeping. How’s it going? How’s everything with the wedding coming together?”
I love the excitement in her voice, so I set aside my irritation that she hasn’t gotten back to me. “Great, no worries. We’ve done the tasting already, and your meal is going to be mouthwatering. We’re picking up the chairs in a few days, and I have an appointment tomorrow with the seamstress to try on the dress and get any small alterations done.”
“Oh, Ash, you’re the best. Thank you so much, we couldn’t do this without you guys.”
My chest warms at the appreciation in her voice. “Of course. What good is having a twin sister if you can’t have her step in at the last minute to arrange your wedding?”
We both laugh.
“And how is it with Carter? Managed not to kill each other yet, I take it?” She’s trying to mask her trepidation with humor, but I know her too well.
I hate the idea of Steph being concerned that her big day will be ruined because Carter and I can’t manage to put aside our differences. Though I’m not even sure we have many differences anymore. Since I’ve had to spend more time with Carter, I’ve realized that he’s not all that bad. In fact, he isn’t anything like I thought he was.
“Don’t worry about us. We’re getting along fine. He might not be that terrible of a guy after all.” With the toe of my boot, I kick at a crack in the old flooring.
“I told you! You know I wouldn’t be BFFs with an asshole.”
