Page 50 of The Christmas Accomplice

“What I said about your type being barflies wasn’t fair.”

Dean held up an index finger. “I believe the term you used was ‘slutty barfly’.”

“Fine. Whatever I said wasn’t fair, and you didn’t deserve it. I apologize.”

“Thank you. Apology accepted.” Dean leaned forward, clasping his hands together on the table. “All I’m trying to do is help you show Reece everything good about you, okay? My intention isn’t to get you to change in order to do that. I just want you to open up to him and have a good Christmas.”

“What about you?”

“Me? Oh, don’t worry about me. I’ve got a couple of slutty barflies on stand-by.”

Welton grimaced. “You’re never going to let me forget I said that, are you?”

“Not anytime soon.” Dean smirked, but then turned serious. “Reece really lights you up. I can see it and everybody attending karaoke tonight could see it as well. You owe it to yourself to see where this can go. If you back off from what this could turn into, I think you’ll really regret it.”

“So, what should I do? I can’t help thinking that I leave here the day after Christmas.”

“Put that out of your mind. You have a few more days and nights with him. Let him get to know you, and take the time to get to know him. Talk about things, open up to him. Tell him how you’re feeling so he’ll know.”

“That’s pretty scary.”

“I know it is. I did it with you, and it didn’t get me very far.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t a better boyfriend.”

“Oh, you were a good boyfriend. Sex was great, and we worked well as a couple in social events. But I don’t think we clicked back then as friends.”

Welton studied his hands a moment, then met Dean’s eyes. “What about now?”

Dean smiled. “I think we’re going to be better friends than we ever could have been boyfriends.” He checked his phone. “We don’t have much time before I need to make myself scarce.”

“All kidding aside, where are you going to spend the night?”

“I met up with a hot guy at the ski bar this afternoon while you and Reece were hanging each other’s stockings. He invited me to spend the night in his room in the main hotel.”

“Okay, I just wanted to make sure you wouldn’t have to sleep in the lobby or something.”

“Don’t you worry about me. Let’s get you settled and ready so when Reece knocks, you’ll be more than ready for him.”