Page 55 of Mistletoe Mischief

The two of them walked over to the bar and leaned against it. Pike signaled Ricki, who gave him a nod and held her finger up to signal she’d be over in a minute.

“So, are you going to be honest with me or tell me another whopper?” Nick asked.

“What are you talking about?” Pike asked.

“Ryler. I know you’re attracted to her, but I’m not sure why you’re denying it.”

“I’m attracted to a lot of people, but that doesn’t mean I want to hook up with them.”

“Fair enough,” Nick said, bumping Pike with his shoulder. “I do feel like Ryler is different though and you actually do want to hook up with her.”

“Have you talked to Anthony?” Pike asked abruptly.

“Just a few texts, why?”

“I got this feeling that something is going on with him and Delilah,” Pike admitted.

“I don’t think so, but even if there was, she turned you down, right?”

“Yeah, but I asked him point-blank about her several times, before I even made a move on her, and he swore he wasn’t interested.”

“Maybe he changed his mind,” Nick said.

“Which would be fine if he’d manned up and talked to me about it before anything happened.”

Nick shrugged. “I don’t know, man.”

“You’re right, it’s probably just my paranoia.” Pike laughed.

Ricki approached them before Nick could respond.

“Evening, boys. Another round of beers?”

“Actually, I’d like a whiskey on the rocks,” Pike said.

“And you?” she addressed Nick.

“I’ll have another beer.”

“You got it.” Ricki turned her back on them to grab a whiskey bottle off the shelf and a glass from under the counter.

Nick tapped Pike’s arm, drawing his attention away from his drink being made and toward the door. “Looks like your guests have arrived,” he said.

Alia was in the lead with her hair falling in loose waves around the shoulders of her cropped, cream sweater. Her jeans sat low on her hips, showing off her belly button ring.

Neil came in next in jeans and a button-down Hawaiian shirt under his jacket; he stood over a foot taller than Kit, the photographer, who wore a blue collared sweater and jeans. Ryler brought up the rear in an off-the-shoulder black sweater and wide leg khaki cargo pants. Her hair was swept back in a high ponytail, showing off the bare sun-kissed skin of her neck and shoulders.

Ryler spotted him and waved, saying something to her group, who started heading toward the bar. Alia reached them first, smiling.

“Pike, good to see you. And Nick, right?”

Nick nodded. “That’s me. Nice to see you again.”

“Nick, this is Neil, Excursions’ producer, and our cameraman, Kit. This is Nick. His family owns the Christmas tree farm outside of town.”

Nick stood up and took their hands. “Nice to meet you both. What do you all want to drink?”

“Can I just get a Shirley Temple?” Alia asked.