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“Probably a wise decision.”
A speaker suddenly sounded from near the water with a bouncy rendition of “Holly Jolly Christmas.”
“We’re headed to the karaoke event, aren’t we?” she asked, a note of resignation laced in her voice.
“Trust me, you don’t want to miss it.”
She sighed and continued walking. “I suppose it can’t hurt to watch for a bit. There are worse ways to spend the evening.”
Reid hung his head low in mock offense. “Wow, not the most enthusiastic response I’ve gotten to the prospect of spending time with me, but I guess I’ll take it.”
“Trust me, it’s nothing less than a compliment. I can’t think of one other person who could convince me to go near an event featuring amateur singing of Christmas carols.”
There was no reason for her comment to cause the rush of pleasure in him that it did.
“You sure it’s me? It might be the ouzo,” he teased.
She groaned out loud. “I can’t believe I did that.”
They’d reached the area by the wooden stage, the music growing louder by the second. The slow crashing of the waves behind them grew more and more muted. An impressive crowd had gathered. Two staffers sat at a table, surrounded by laptops and sound equipment. They each had Santa hats on. Another staffer dressed as an elf walked around passing out the same hats to guests.
Reid realized he was taking it all in more as a participant rather than the co-owner of the resort. He couldn’t recall when that had ever happened before on one of his properties. He risked a glance at the woman next to him. She had to be the reason he was suddenly viewing things through different eyes. Though for the life of him he wouldn’t be able to explain why. What manner of effect did she have on him?
“Mr. Evanson,” the hat deliverer had reached them. Without asking, she reached up and placed one atop his head. Then she turned and did the same to Celeste.
Reid noticed her hat was different. It had a floral design instead of plain white at the base. The lettering said You’ve Been Chosen.
The hat elf clapped her hands. “You’ve been chosen, madam!”
Celeste blinked at her in confusion. She looked at him for some clarity. Damned if he knew what was going on.
“Chosen?”
“You have one of the special hats,” the elf answered.
“Special how?”
“It’s our version of mistletoe. But you have a choice. You can perform a song onstage.”
Celeste’s hand flew to her mouth in horror. “What’s the other option?”
The elf laughed in response. “You kiss someone, silly. That’s how mistletoe works, right?”
The staffer looked pointedly at Reid as she explained. Her coworkers had all turned their focus on the three of them. Several of the revelers turned to watch, as well. So, his employees were taking the opportunity to have a little fun at their boss’s expense. Nothing malicious, he knew. Harmless fun.
But Celeste looked as if she’d swallowed a raw conch.
He discreetly drew the staffer’s attention and gave a slight, almost imperceptible shake of his head. Drop it.
The elf immediately nodded in agreement. But it was too late. The crowd had now gotten involved. Chants of encouragement had begun.
“I’m not up for either of those options,” Celeste said in a low voice. Enough of the crowd heard her that the encouraging cheers started to switch to long, exaggerated boos.
This was his fault, Reid thought as he tried to find the quickest path out of the crowd. He’d never forgive himself if she was humiliated.
“Come on,” a man urged her to their left. “Pick one.”
Reid clenched his hand by his side. His fingers itched to shove the man aside and away from her but it wouldn’t do to accost one of his guests.
He grabbed Celeste by the wrist and began to lead her away. The boos grew louder.
She surprised him by halting them both to a stop. When he turned in question, she’d gone pale.
“It’s okay. I’ll do it,” she declared, breathless, her voice aquiver.
He pivoted to face her fully. “You don’t have to, Celeste. I’ll get you out of here,” he said on a low whisper against her ear so that only she could hear.
