“And say what?”
She growls—actually growls—and snatches my phone away from me. “It needs to be something flirty?—”
“But not desperate,” Lauren interrupts.
Riley nods, and her thumbs fly over the screen. Before she can send the message, Brandon pulls the phone from her hands. Smiling, but somehow not, he gives my sister a stern look. “He messagedHarper.You don’t even know if she wants to respond.”
And all six of them turn to me. Put on the spot, I clear my throat. “I don’t know.” Then, not quite able to look at Brandon, I say, “It would be rude to ignore him.”
Without a word, Brandon hands me my phone. There’s something in his hardened expression that tells me he doesn’t approve—but why should I care?
I quickly scan what Riley wrote, erase all of it, and type,You haven’t even wrote me a song yet. I think it’s a little early to pull out the puffy paints.
Then I bite my lip, trying and failing to hold back my smile.
Less than half a minute later, he responds,I’ll have plenty of time to work on it for you…because you’re going to Colorado.
I stare at the text, dumbfounded.
“Harper, what’s wrong?” Lauren asks.
Was that just a touch of light-hearted optimism or is he stating a fact?
Before I can ask if he’s serious, he responds,Congratulations. I don’t know about you, but I’m certainly looking forward to the next few weeks.
“Harper?” Riley demands.
I look up, still in shock, and turn to Sadie. “We’re on the show.”
“We’re…what?” Sadie blinks at me, just as baffled as I am.
Shaking my head, I look back at my phone. “We were selected for the show. We’re going to Colorado.”
CHAPTER FIVE
I thoughtHBN’s holiday lodge was the product of a large studio. Sure, they always panned the picturesque scene to a backdrop of festive Christmas music…but still.
As I stare at the massive structure in front of me, I quickly come to terms with the fact that I was very, very wrong. The word “lodge” conjures pictures of cozy cabins and little wood-burning stoves, but the mansion in front of me has more in common with a five-star resort. In a nod to tradition, massive timber beams parade as pillars. The entire exterior is stone, and the roof is brick-red. There are balconies, porches, and windows galore.
All in all, I suppose it’s not a bad place to spend the two weeks before Christmas.
A man who appears to be in his mid-twenties hurries forward to greet us. “You must be Harper and Sadie from Montana, correct?”
Sadie smiles, practically giddy. “That’s us!”
I resist the urge to rub my temples. My partner is very chipper. Honestly, I have no idea how she doesn’t drive Brandon insane.
The man doesn’t seem to mind. He’s obviously a member of the crew, and he’s attractive in a relaxed, friendly sort of way. He gives me a wink as he checks our names off the list on his clipboard. “I’ll take care of your luggage, and you can check in with Tammy. She’s at the desk in the lobby.”
Feeling as if I’ve stumbled into a movie, I walk inside, half dazed.
“What do you think they do with this place for the rest of the year?” Sadie asks as she gapes at the entry. The lobby is open, and the ceiling is at least three stories above us. An eighteen-foot Christmas tree twinkles in front of the main windows, decorated with tasteful white lights and glittering glass ornaments.
Everywhere I look, there are garlands, wreaths, and swags. It’s Christmas overload, but in the best way.
“Culinary tourism,” a male voice says from behind us.
We turn to face him. The man is older than we are, probably in his late twenties. His dark blond hair is short, his arms are massive, and he’s at least six-three.
