Page 92 of Mistletoe Mischief

“I know. But honestly, I’m considering keeping it. I mean, why not? I’ve got my trust fund and can buy my own place if you don’t want us living with you.”

“Alia—”

“No, I mean it. I know you didn’t sign on for this, and if you’re mad at me, I understand.”

“Why would I be mad at you? You are allowed to sleep with whomever you want and live your life on your terms. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to move out. I’m hardly at the condo as it is, so if you want to stay with me, I would love to have you both.” Ryler cleared her throat. “Of course, Neil might have something to say about that.”

“I don’t know,” Alia said, nibbling her lip. “Sometimes I think he feels more for me than just sex, and other times, it’s like nothing’s changed between us.”

“Well, you’re going to have to tell him about the baby, even if he wants nothing to do with any of it.” Ryler hoped that wasn’t the case, because if Neil turned out to be the type of guy to use her cousin and walk away, Ryler didn’t know if she could forgive him. Ryler reached out and tucked a piece of Alia’s hair back. “Do you think we should drive out and catch up with the guys? See if we can’t put your anxiety to rest?”

“Ugh, you’re really going to make me go snowshoeing in the forest when I feel like ass?”

“Maybe the fresh air will do you good,” Ryler said while calling Pike, but it went straight to voicemail. “Damn.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Pike didn’t answer his phone.”

“Ooh, Pike,” Alia teased, and Ryler rolled her eyes, trying Neil and Kit, but there were no answers either.

“Please, you can’t say anything to Neil-lover.” Ryler looked up Adventures in Mistletoe and called the store number.

“Adventures in Mistletoe, Anthony speaking.”

“Hi, this is Ryler from the Excursions podcast.”

“Oh, hi there. Aren’t you supposed to be out snowshoeing?”

“Yes, but my cousin wasn’t feeling well, so I stayed behind to wait with her, but now that she’s perked up a bit, we thought we’d join the guys. Only Pike isn’t answering his phone. I know you two have the GPS app to track each other and was hoping you could point me in the right direction?”

“He told you about that?” Anthony asked.

“Yeah, he seemed surprised I didn’t do it with my friends.”

Anthony chuckled. “Let me see.”

It was silent for a few beats before Anthony hopped back on the line. “I know where he went, but it’s a little tricky to find if you don’t know the area. How about I drive to you, and you can follow me out there.”

“Oh, but don’t you have to watch the store? I don’t want to put you out or in a bad position with everything—” Ryler snapped her mouth closed.

“I’m happy to do it. Just give me about fifteen minutes.”

“Thanks,” Ryler said, swallowing past the uncomfortable lump as she ended the call.

“Everything okay?” Alia said.

“Yeah, he’s coming here so we can follow him out to where the guys are.”

“I can always wait until Neil gets back.”

“Oh no, we are getting everything out in the open, especially this baby business. Neil was part of the production process and should be part of the finale.”

“You make our lives sound like your podcast.”

“Oh, Excursions was never about the drama, but I have a feeling today we are going to see all the plot twists.”

“Why is that?”