“How’s business?” Garrett asked, lifting the lid of the glass dome that covered the plate of gingerbread.
“Can’t complain. It’s always a bit of a madhouse in the lead-up to Christmas, but I love it.”
“You are the most Christmassy person I’ve ever met,” Garrett said through a mouthful full of cookie.
“And you love it because you reap the rewards.”
“That I do.” Garrett hefted himself up and sat his ass on the edge of the counter. He chuckled and helped himself to more cookies. “How’s the decorating for the hall coming along?”
“You could always volunteer one year—”
Garrett raised a hand. “Whoa, buddy. I already get to supervise the decorating of the resort. Decorating one huge-ass building is enough for me.”
“I guess I’ll just have to accept your help on the night instead. Even if it’s the cushiest job ever.” Aaron made a show of rolling his eyes and huffing, but in all honesty, Garrett was indispensable.
“Hey! Putting on that uniform and ho-ho-ho-ing for hours on end is not easy work. Anyway, back to my question. Are you managing okay? I know I always put up a fight, but if you did need a hand, I could probably free up some time.”
“I appreciate it, man. Maybe a bit of help stringing some of the decorations? But the planning is all under control.”
“Well, look at you, Mr. Organized. Has Melody Cavendish got the whip out as usual?” Garrett chuckled, his laughter fading when he took in Aaron’s face. “Aaron?”
Aaron looked anywhere but at his friend. “Ah…”
“Aaron McBride, what aren’t you telling me?”
“She’s not on the committee this year. Neither is Mrs. Myers.”
“So who’s leading the committee then?”
“That’d be me and Hunter.”
“Hunter Cavendish? Hunter’s on the decorating committee?”
Aaron nodded. “Yep.”
“Well knock me over with a feather. Holy shit! How did that happen? No, forget that. It doesn’t matter. How are you coping? You poor thing.” Garrett raised his coffee cup. “Maybe we should be drinking something stronger—your nerves must be shot to shit.”
Aaron laughed. “It’s not that bad. I haven’t been driven to drink yet.”
“Give it time, it’s still early days.” Garrett huffed. “But seriously, how are you holding up?”
“It’s… unexpected.”
Garrett’s eyes narrowed, and Aaron squirmed under his penetrating gaze. Garrett sucked in breath, then let it out in a rush. “Oh... my… God. Aaron! You like him, don’t you?”
“What?” Aaron straightened the display of novelty playing cards. “Don’t be ridiculous.” But even as the words left his mouth, he knew he was lying.
“You thinkI’mthe one being ridiculous. You forget it’smeyou’re talking to. I know you, Aaron, inside and out.”
Aaron sighed. That was true. Garrett was his best friend, and he’d been by his side through thick and thin, including having his heart trampled on by the very guy he was now finding himself liking again. He sighed again. “He’s just so different than I expected.”
“Different? How?”
“Actually, no, that’s not quite right. It’s more like he’s the same. The Hunter I’ve seen in the past few days is so much like the Hunter I remember from when we were growing up. He’s kind and cares about other people. Plus there’s none of that formal crap he pulled that last visit. He prefers wings and lager over fine dining, and damn, he’s got so much passion for his work.”
“You’ve only spent a short amount of time with him. Don’t you think it’s a bit early to be making assumptions about his character? That family is all smoke and mirrors. I’d hate to see him playing you.”
“I don’t think he’s playing me. He didn’t have us fooled for all those years, did he? He’s like the same guy he was back then. At least before that last visit and everything that happened.” What exactly happened to change Hunter? And why?
