“So maybe we should turn around and go home.” My throat tightens. My heart pounds.Goddddd, my entire soul shrivels. “I left these people in the lurch four years ago, Dean. Total bitch move. I forced them to scramble and pick up the pieces I’d tossed in the trash. They probably don’t even want me here.”
“Hell they don’t.” He leans closer, unsnapping my belt and pinning me in place with a hand on my chin. “This isyourfestival, beautiful. This whole thing belongs to you and your dad. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.”
“But—”
“Nick told me he’s playing Santa this year. He’s been here all day, listening to wishes and promising miracles.” He presses a gentle, barely-there kiss on the corner of my lips. “That’s a long-ass day tending to little kids with sticky hands and flirty moms.”
I cough out a nervous laugh. “I hope Mel’s handling those bitches like a boss. That’s her man.”
“I’m sure she’s got it under control.” Another kiss. “And now it’salllllmosteight o’clock. Nick’s putting his Santa hat away and swapping his fifteen-XL pants for something that fits a little better. He intends to romance his fiancée one last time before they say their vows, which is…” He waits for a beat, grinning. “When?”
“Tomorrow. Oh my gosh.” I press my palm to my belly. “Mel’s getting married tomorrow.”
“Mmhm. So come on.” Pulling away, he unsnaps his seatbelt and pushes his door open. Slamming it shut, he jogs around the hood and opens my side.
Offering his good hand, his smile notches higher when our palms touch. “Nick told me they’ll meet us on the north side of the park.”
“I feel like you and Nick are entirely too friendly, considering you’ve only just met.”
“Toofriendly?” He tugs me to my feet and drapes his arm over my shoulders, tucking me comfortably against his side as though we’ve been doing so for eons already. “Babe, I haven’t touched his ass. Not even once.” He closes my door and leads me off the road, onto crackling grass. “Nick’s a decent dude. I like that we get along, since he’s marrying Mel, and I’m head over heels in love with Mel’s bestie.”
I roll my eyes and step out from under his arm. “Shut up.”
“I willnevershut up,” he teases, snagging my hand and tugging me back, but this time, he wraps my arm around his and makes us appear entirely sibling-appropriate. “He’ssomad he doesn’t get to fuck you.”
“Nick?” I glance around the park swelling with young families and festive with Christmas music. Coffee thermoses are everywhere, and the scent of hot chocolate lingers in the air. Frowning, I bring my focus back to Dean. “What the hell are you talking about? He’sonlyever had eyes for Mel?—”
“Not Nick,” he snickers. “Detective DoopDoop.” He pats my hand and leads me directly toward the waiting trio.
Mel, Nick, and a narrow-eyed Carter.
Dean smiles the smile of a man who doesn’t give a damn ifhe goes to prison for a jewelry heist, broadening his shoulders and turning his walk to a swagger as we approach. “Park looks great, huh?”
“It looks fantastic!” Mel’s eyes grow impossibly wide as she stares into mine and conducts a telepathic conversation. I mean, I don’t actually hear her thoughts, but I’ve known her long enough toknowthe words booming in her mind. GIVE ME THE GOSSIP! “I’m so happy you came, Anna. This event grows bigger each year.”
“Mmhm.”How close can a sister snuggle into her brother’s side before it becomes weird?“I’m glad the committee continued this even when I lost interest. Everyone deserves a lit tree each year.”
“They sure do.” Too impatient for subtleties, she lunges my way and grabs my hand. “There’s a coffee van over…” She waves nowhere in particular. “Come for a walk with me.”
I look to Dean. “Uh…”
“I’m fine, Counselor.” He taps my backside, too sneaky to be caught by the eagle-eyed detective. “I’m happy to chill with my new best friend till you get back.” And because he enjoys confrontation, he angles toward Nick, completely cutting Carter out of the conversation.
“Let’s go.” Mel yanks me away, traps my arm with hers, and leans until our heads practically touch. “How the hell can you be near Carter—who thinks you and Dean are something you’re not—while also being near Dean—who looks at you in an entirely non-sisterly way?Jesus,” she huffs. “The sex pheromones are stifling.Andhe got you to come out tonight. That’s…” She shakes her head. “It’s…”
“A Christmas miracle?” I snort. “Are we actually getting cocoa?”
“Yeah, I’m cold, and it’s?—”
“This way.” I tug her to the left and lead her toward the line of trucks just begging for their last-minute windfall before business slows again. “What were you and Carter talking about?”
“He was asking about Dean.” She releases an unhappy scoff. “Asked what we thought of him, and if we trusted him. All that sorta crap.”
“What?” I jerk her to a stop and search her eyes. “He asked if youtrustedhim?”
“Mmhm.There’s something off about that dude.” She speaks in a deep, Carter-esque tone. “How does he just turn up outta nowhere and everyone’s cool with it? I didn’t even know Anna had a brother.”
“What did you say?”
