I spray-painted huge pink magnolia flowers on the side and then hand-painted the details, the design making us classy and unique in Cora’s hometown of Magnolia Point.
“You can’t do it yourself; it’s too big.”
“Did you ask him? There’s no way he’d say yes.” My eyes ping-pong between my former friends as Cora looks guilty and Bristol stares at me with amusement.
“He said yes,” Cora admits, her nervous smile slowly becoming a happy one.
Dammit.
My best friend works harder than anyone I know, and she deserves this vacation with her super-hot fiancé. My heart thaws the slightest bit as the ring on her finger catches the light, the diamond sparkling like a disco ball.
“For the record, he’s the one who doesn’t like me.”
“That’s not entirely true,” Bristol mutters as I dip a tortilla chip into the queso and point it at her.
“I get under his skin. I’m not serious enough. I think one time he told me I smile too much.” The words pour out of me, and I shove the chip in my mouth to stop anything else from escaping.
Unfortunately, IlikePhoenix.
He just doesn’t like me back.
And he made thatveryclear after the one drunken, groping kiss we shared before he’d stormed out of the bar.
I hadn’t told Cora—I hadn’t told anyone. I just continued to aggravate Phoenix with my general presence.
And the problem isn’t that he told me no. The problem is that I see the way he looks at me. The way he undresses me with his eyes, his gaze like a physical caress that sends a shiver down my spine.
I remember the way he felt pressed against me and the way he unapologetically rubbed me all over his aching cock. I’d wanted to rip my clothes off right there or at the very least drag him into the bathroom and let him bend me over the sink.
But none of that had happened because he balked when I asked him to take me home.
So, I’d moved on.
Mostly.
Now I find enjoyment in aggravating him every chance I get. Like when I saw him across the street walking Talon’s teacup pig, Chip. I made a big production of waving hi to him and calling his name. The attention had earned him several groups of women who wanted to fawn all over the pigandhim.
He grunted and growled at me for a week straight after that one, and it was worth every second.
But other times, like when I had to call Talon because the truck broke down and needed to be towed, I asked him back at Lowcountry Automotive if he’d give me a ride. I’d readhis unspokennoloud and clear. It had been the end of my unrequited pining. I still teased and tormented him, but I did it with the knowledge that Phoenix Banks would never want a woman like me.
“He likes you,” Bristol says with a laugh that means she thinks I’m oblivious.
But I’m not. I’mreallynot.
“You guys can make nice for one day, right? Please?”
“Of course.” I nod as I take Cora’s hand and squeeze. “Don’t worry, we’ll have it all taken care of. I just want you to enjoy your vacation.”
“Thank you!” she squeals as she beams at me. It’s hard not to smile back. Her enthusiasm is infectious and it’s so incredible to see my best friend finally happy.
When Cora gets up to use the bathroom, Bristol turns to me, a frown on her pink-painted lips.
“My brother really does like you. I know I probably shouldn’t tell you that but I know him. It’s just he had averyserious relationship blow up in his face, and even though it was before he moved back to Magnolia Point, I still know it hurts him.”
“Look,” I say, unable to help the sigh that accompanies that single word, “I don’t have a problem with Phoenix, but he made it clear that I’m not for him romantically or as friends, honestly. We’re cordial because Talon and Cora are getting married so we’re stuck together, and we’ll just have to make the best of it.”
She opens her mouth to speak but before she can, Cora drops down into her seat and raises her glass. “To the best Christmas ever!”
