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Breck swallowed hard. Watching a Christmas movie sounded like his idea of hell.
“We don’t need to watch something Christmassy,” Caitie said quickly, glancing at him from the corner of her eyes. “It’s only Thanksgiving.” She shrugged. “Breck, what do you think we should watch?”
With the threat of watching a holiday movie removed, he could feel himself breathe more easily. “Why don’t we see what’s in the study?” he suggested. “Though I’d definitely prefer an action movie to romance.”
“Me too,” Caitie agreed.
“I’m easy,” Harper said. “I’ll probably fall asleep no matter what you put on. It’s been a long day and we started drinking at lunch time. I never realized your folks were so hardcore, Caitie.”
“Just don’t make it too scary.” Ember grimaced. “I need to get some sleep tonight. I want to hit the Black Friday sales tomorrow.”
“Oh I don’t know,” Rachel said. “I kind of like scary movies. As long as I’ve got somebody to cuddle up to.”
As the guys walked out of the room, Breck’s mind was made up. Definitely not a horror movie, and definitely not a Christmas movie. He was pretty sure that was going to rule out most of Wallace Russell’s antique DVD collection.
* * *
As the door closed behind Breck and Lucas, Rachel sighed from her spot next to Ember.
“Breck is so lovely. Where has he been all my life?”
“In Boston,” Harper said, deadpan. Caitie tried not to laugh.
Rachel ignored them, grabbing Ember’s wrist. “Did I tell you what he said at the end of our lunch the other day? We were talking about the best places to surf in winter, and he told me he loves going to Hawaii in December. Well, of course he can’t go before your wedding, but he’s thinking of flying out there after. Do you think he might invite me?”
Caitie set her half-drunk bottle of beer on the end table. “I’m going to look for some snacks in the kitchen. Anybody want anything?”
“I’ll help you,” Harper said, jumping up.
“Don’t worry about getting anything for me,” Ember said, rubbing her stomach. “I’m still full from dinner. And I have a wedding dress to squeeze into.” She frowned. “Ugh, I probably shouldn’t eat for a week.”
“I’m fine, too,” Rachel said. “I want to look my best when we walk down the aisle.”
“I bet you do,” Harper muttered, her voice too low for anybody but Caitie to hear.
Caitie sped up her exit, pushing the door to the kitchen open with more force than necessary.
“Are you okay?” Harper asked, pulli
ng the door closed behind her. “You were so quiet at dinner I thought you might have fallen asleep.”
“I’m fine,” Caitie reassured her, pulling a pack of chips from the cupboard. She grabbed two bowls and opened the packet, even though she had no appetite at all.
“Do you know that Rachel girl well?” Harper asked as Caitie started to shake the chips into the bowls. “She’s been hanging around Breck all day. Are they an item?”
Caitie stopped mid shake and turned to face her friend. “I’ve only met her a couple of times before. She’s Ember’s friend. They work together at the elementary school.” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “And I’ve no idea if they’re an item, though they seem pretty close.”
The two of them had seemed attached at the hip since lunchtime. Every time Caitie had glanced across the room Rachel had been talking with Breck. He didn’t seem to mind, either. He was his usual, amiable self, making jokes and talking with everybody.
But every time he’d smiled at Rachel, it had felt like Caitie’s chest was about to implode.
“Maybe they’re just friends,” Harper suggested, though she didn’t sound convinced. “That would be normal, wouldn’t it? If she hangs around with Lucas and Ember a lot she’d be bound to get to know their friends. The way you did when you grew up with Lucas.”
“I never whispered in Griff’s ear the way Rachel whispered in Breck’s,” Caitie pointed out. “And Breck is her partner in the bridal procession. He’s going to walk her down the aisle.”
“He is?” Harper wrinkled her nose. “Ugh. Maybe they are a couple.” She reached for Caitie’s hand, sliding it between her own. “I’m sorry, honey. That must hurt like hell.”
“I’m fine,” Caitie said again, hoping she sounded convincing. “He’s a grown man. He’s allowed to have a relationship with anybody he wants. It’s not as though I expected him to save himself for me.” She gave a short laugh. “It wouldn’t have worked anyway. He lives here and I live in New York. And I don’t know if you were listening to Daniel earlier, but he said none of them like Christmas very much.” She shrugged. “Maybe it’s better this way. We’re clearly not compatible.”
