Page 86 of The Mistletoe Mix-up

The door opened, and Merry came in and removed her jacket, shivering loudly. “Brr, it’s cold outside.”

“Tell us something we don’t know,” Sam shot back.

“Whoa, what’s wrong with you?” Merry asked, crossing the room to lean over the back of the couch and stare down at him.

“He’s having trouble with the woman he loves,” Clark offered.

“Gotcha.” Merry came around and sat down on the other side of Clark. “How can we help?”

“You want to help me with my relationship woes?” Sam asked.

“Why not?” Merry asked, her hazel eyes boring into his. “You’re my brother-in-law, and I want you to be happy.”

“Alright, I’ll take it.” He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. “What advice would you give to somebody who wanted to date a woman who wasn’t ready for a relationship?”

“Find somebody who is ready for a relationship?” she deadpanned.

Sam scoffed and shot Clark a knowing look before Merry reached out to him, laughing.

“I’m sorry, I was just kidding. What is it about this person that tickles your fancy?”

“This person is like a once-in-a-lifetime, never-gonna-give-you-up kind of thing.”

“First of all, it’s too late for you to Rickroll me,” Merry said, reaching across to poke him. “Your nephew already does that to me all the time.”

“It was unintentional, I promise,” Sam said, leaning back against the couch. “I know she’s the one, even after I lost her almost two decades ago, I never found anyone else. It never felt right. She came back into my life, and I realized it’s because she was it. No one could take her place.”

“Then I would just tell her how I felt,” Merry said.

“Boom,” Clark hooted. “I told you; honesty is the key!”

“Wait a second,” Merry said, leaning forward to study Sam’s face. “Are we talking about Officer Little?”

“No,” Sam said sharply.

“We are,” Clark said, grinning.

“Absolutely not.” Sam glared at his little brother, silently telling him to shut the fuck up.

Merry’s gaze shifted back and forth between them, trying to figure out who was lying. “And . . . you’re in love?”

Sam groaned but didn’t confirm or deny the allegations.

“Wow,” Merry said.

“I know.” Clark nodded. “I couldn’t believe it, either.”

“Does she feel the same way?” Merry asked.

“He isn’t sure, but they’re sleeping together.”

“Dude,” Sam said, throwing his hands up, “your wife doesn’t have to know everything!”

“Well, I think that’s great. Maybe she’ll stop trying to give everybody tickets for jaywalking if she’s happy and in love.” Merry made a face. “It’s such a stupid law.”

“I think she’ll continue to give tickets for jaywalking because it’s breaking the law,” said Sam, earning a dark glare from Merry.

“I stand by my opinion.”