“Okay, folks, this is round two,” Brendon’s voice crackled over the speaker. “Each of you received some mystery materials you’ll use to create a holiday drink. The more festive, the better. The tastier, the better. This will challenge your senses and your quick thinking. You have ten minutes total before you present your drink to the judges in the sleigh. Wave, judges!”
Three people sat in a full-ass Santa sleigh near the front door. The women wore dresses from the early 1900s, probably, and the dude wore a top hat and a monocle. I had zero clue how that related to this holiday tomfoolery. Charlotte about buzzed with excitement.
“What do we have?” I picked up the green bottle and turned it over to find a label.
“We aren’t told yet.” Charlotte rubbed her two fingers together, a wrinkle between her brows. I knew that face well—she was making a plan.
“You seem intrigued.”
“This place is bonkers, and that means something coming from a Calhoun.” Her voice had a dreamlike quality to it, and I couldn’t tell if she loved the entire thing or hated it. Or maybe she was confused, just like me.
“It’s all a bit much.” I set the cool green bottle down as Brendon glared at me. “What?”
“Don’t touch the materials until the music starts. That’s the rules.” He pursed his lips, irritation written all over his face.
Big whoop. I touched a bottle. I rolled my eyes.
“Behave, Porter. He could turn the judges against us, and we need every point possible. Christian texted me a list of his favorite artists and freaking Butthole Surfers is on it. Who even is that?”
I choked on my own breath. Her brother was a pain in the ass. “Brendon needs to take his job less seriously, that’s all.”
Right on cue, the evil elf shouted into the microphone, interrupting me. “Okay, ready, go! Read your instructions and impress us!”
An upbeat version of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” blared, startling me for a second. How were we in a family-friendly resort with club Christmas music? Was there a DJ? Did reindeer even like this music?
Focus, Hayden.I let the thought of clubbing reindeer go.
“Okay, are you good with your nose?” Charlotte asked, unscrewing the lid on the green bottle.
“Wait, what?”
“I don’t know what this alcohol is.” She scrunched her nose, wincing. “Something not pleasant?”
She handed it to me, our fingers brushing. I ignored the spark as I sniffed. “Brandy. For sure. My mentor took me out for drinks, and he made me try all the expensive kinds. This is definitely brandy.”
“Great. Cool. Never had it.” She placed her hands on her hips after setting the supplies out. Her tongue traced the outside of her mouth as she stared at the ingredients. “Cranberries? Cinnamon? Candy canes? This is so not my thing. I’m panicking, Hop.”
I squeezed her shoulder in a friendly, supportive gesture. Because I was a gentleman, I also ignored how warm her skin was.
“Don’t panic. We’re a good team.” I eyed the materials. “There’s cranberries?” I shifted my weight, which made me closer to her. Ignoring the brush of her arm against mine, I pulled out a quart of cranberry juice and some cinnamon. “If we have a lime and something like triple sec, we can make a modified sidecar.”
“For real? No idea what that even is, but I love the sound of your confidence.”
“Yeah. Here, let me do this.” I rolled up my sleeves and pointed to the knife in the bag. “Okay, is there a lemon or lime anywhere?”
Her gaze froze on my arms, her lips parting. I stared,unsure if I had something weird on them. Sometimes I colored with Gwen and didn’t realize I had marker all over me, but my forearms seemed okay. “What is it?”
“Uh, nothing.” She ducked her head. “Knife, you said?”
“What just happened?”
“Hayden, drop it.”
“Why are your ears red?” My lips twitched. Was she thinking something dirty? It’d be great to know I wasn’t alone in my overwhelming attraction. “Do you deserve to be on the naughty list, Charlotte? What’s going through that pretty head of yours?”
She ignored me. She stood a little bit too straight to be comfortable, but I appreciated her effort. I smiled, enjoying myself more and more. Charlotte was flustered about something, and I liked it.
“Lemon! Here!” she shouted ten seconds later, throwing it into the air.
