“He’s just sore he gets roped into dressing up as Santa every year, but it’s a good cause and I’m sure he’ll get into the party spirit.” Aaron said. “What about you? Are you looking forward to it?”
“I’m not much of a party person. But I think this one will be fun.”Especially because you will be there.
Aaron met his gaze. Hunter felt as if he were reading his thoughts—parties weren’t his thing, too many memories of that last disastrous Christmas dance, but this year he was hoping for a do-over. It was Christmas, after all, and wasn’t Christmas all about special wishes coming true?
“I’m taking the afternoon off tomorrow,” Aaron said. “I’m handing over the reins to Amy, as I really need a break. Garrett and I thought we’d hit the slopes. Are you up for it?”
Garrett grinned. “Like the good old days! You still board, right?”
Hunter waggled his brows. “I’ve been known to a time or two. Haven’t broken a leg yet.”
“Excellent. We’re on then.” Aaron’s eyes shone as he raised his glass.
“Oh no, don’t look now, but we have incoming,” Garrett said in a low voice, breaking the moment.
“I didn’t think I’d get away with hiding for too long,” Hunter moaned.
“Put on your best faces, boys,” Aaron said, pasting on a broad grin and giving them a wink before turning to face Hunter’s mom, who had Richard in tow.
“Mother, you’re looking lovely this evening,” Hunter said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Hello, Richard. It’s good to see you.”
The usual round of false pleasantries was exchanged. Handshakes and air kisses. At least his mom wasn’t blatantly rude to Aaron this time, although Hunter couldn’t help noticing the way she pulled Richard in so that Aaron was forced to step aside and away from Hunter. He shot Aaron a look that hopefully conveyed his apologies.
“Darling, I know you said you wanted to catch up with Richard while you were in town, so I thought why not kill two birds with one stone. You’re both here, and the drinks are flowing, and poor Richard was stuck talking to his parents.”
Because no one else wants to talk to him.Hunter pushed the uncharitable thought aside. “Yeah, sure.”
“I’ll leave you boys to it then,” she said, and left in a cloud of Dior.
Richard’s grin was broad, and he didn’t seem uncomfortable in the slightest at being foisted on them. “Your mother is such an angel,” he said. “Always worrying about others.”
“Worrying about what they think,” Hunter muttered under his breath.
“What was that?” Richard leaned in closer, close enough that Hunter inhaled his cloying cologne.
His good manners prevailed. “Nothing important. I hear you’re doing well in law.”
Richard used the statement as an opening to inform them all of his achievements over three years of law school and his impeccable results. Hunter hoped he was nodding in the appropriate places and his boredom wasn’t too evident on his face.
“Next step is my master’s,” Richard said.
“Oh?” Garrett said.
No! Don’t encourage him.Hunter gulped the last of his champagne, wondering how long it would be before they could politely leave.
“Yes. I want to specialize in corporate tax law. It’s a very lucrative area.”
He shot Aaron an apologetic smile as Richard droned on, something about tax laws and the benefits he could bring to the resort that Garrett managed. He tuned out until Richard mentioned his name.
“Hunter? I’m looking forward to a nice long lunch tomorrow.”
“What?”
“At the club. It will be great to spend some time together. Your mother told me how much you were looking forward to it.” Richard rested a hand on Hunter’s arm. “I wanted you to know that I am too.”
“I’m not—”
“Our parents have arranged for drinks later in the afternoon as well, so we’ll be able to make a whole day of it. It’s wonderful that our families are so close. Yours too, Garrett.” He then looked at Aaron. “I suppose you’ll be working in that shop of yours.”
