Page 111 of Mistletoe Mischief

“Yeah, but you’re going with me. They have karaoke and a pool table. It will be grand,” Pike said, mimicking an Irish accent.

Ryler chuckled. “If you say so, then I believe you.”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“I have to spell it out for you? I trust you.” They were honest words, but by the way he stilled beside her, you’d think she had professed her love for him. “What’s wrong with that?”

“Just the way you said it made me happy, is all.”

“Well, I live to please, but just so we’re clear,” Ryler said, leaning across the middle console, “if there is any danger, I will not hesitate to trip you and save myself.”

“So, shoving people out of the way to save yourself is a family trait you and your cousin share?” Pike said dryly.

“Uh-huh.”

“And you’re telling me when shit hits the fan, I better run faster than you?”

“Absolutely. Survival of the fastest and the most devious.”

Pike laughed. “Now that’s a movie I’d like to see.”

I’m already living it, Ryler thought, realizing that in two weeks the credits would roll on this little romance of theirs, and her time with Pike would be another adventure she could look back on.

Why did that thought make her so bereft?

Chapter Thirty-five

The minute they crossed the threshold of the Wolf’s Den, Pike knew he’d made a mistake. Not only were several men homing in on Ryler with obvious interest, but a familiar face called out to Pike, jovially crossing the bar floor to embrace him.

“Pike Sutton!” Davis Lamb slapped his back several times and pulled back, grinning down at him. His long blond hair was loose around his shoulders, and he wore a fitted blue T-shirt that hugged his bulging muscles like a second skin. “How the hell are you, friend?”

“I’m great, Davis. This is my friend, Ryler Colby.”

Ryler held out her hand, and Davis took it, pumping it vigorously. “So very nice to meet you,” Davis said.

“It’s nice to meet you, too. How do you know each other?”

Before Pike could fully mouth the word no, Davis said, “We were part of an all-male review about, what would you say, Pike? Four years ago?”

“Male review, like stripping?” Ryler asked, wide eyes swinging toward Pike as if searching for confirmation. He didn’t have time to fix his face before she realized that she’d hit the nail on the head. “Oh my God.”

“It was just a few months,” Pike said.

“Yeah, they canceled the group when interest died off, but it was fun, right? Also gave me a foot in the entertainment business. I got a part in an indie film after a producer saw me at one of the shows, and I’ve been in a dozen or so short films all around Idaho. Eventually, I’ll land that big role, but I’m going to have to relocate to LA or Georgia. Just not a lot going on in the Potato State.”

“Well, we’re going to get a table and order some drinks. It was good to see you, man,” Pike said, accepting another hug.

“If you get some time, you should come to an audition with me. You have no idea how many roles are out there for a ginger who can dance.”

Pike was keenly aware of Ryler’s curious gaze on him. “Maybe if my business folds, I’ll look into it. Great to see you.”

“You, too,” Davis said, heading over to a tall blonde and throwing his arm around her before the two of them headed for the exit.

“So,” Ryler drawled. “You failed to mention your former career as an exotic dancer.”

“It would have come up eventually,” he said, holding out a stool at a tall table. “Take a seat, I’ll grab us some drinks, and if you want the whole sordid tale, I’ll tell you all about it.”

“I’ll take something fruity.”