CHAPTERSIX
PARKER
“So he’s staying?” Haley, my best friend, asks, swirling the deep red wine in her glass as she sits at one of the stools by the bar. “You didn’t just turn him away like you did earlier in the week?”
“He booked a reservation. ”
I nod at Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman, the owners of the local pharmacy, as they walk past me. The barn is packed with a mixture of guests and locals seated at the dozen or so high-top tables placed along the perimeter of the dance floor.
“But don’t worry. Estelle put him in the cottage. Told him it was the only accommodation we had left.”
“You’re booked that solid?” Haley’s green eyes widen. “That’s incredible. That—”
“We’re not. That’s just what Estelle told him.” I glance her way as she mixes an Old Fashioned. “Even gave him a special rate.”
“Quadruple the peak rate.”
Haley bursts out laughing, the sound carrying through the open space. “That’s fantastic.”
“What’s really fantastic…,” Estelle begins, sliding down to our corner of the bar, “is that Mr. Sex in a Suit was so enamored by Parker that she was able to convince him to come tonight.”
“Why?” She furrows her brow. “I thought you hated him.”
“Idohate him. He’s trying to steal this property, for crying out loud.”
“He offered you money for it, correct? And quite a lot of it, from what I recall.”
“So?”
Truth be told, Callum’s offer is extremely generous and will allow me to walk away with a substantial amount in savings, even after paying off all my debts. It will give me freedom me to do whatever I want.
But I’m not sure if there’s anything else I want to do.
Did I ever see myself owning an inn or hosting weddings? Not really. But after everything my parents did for me, I feel like I owe it to them to make sure their dreams are realized, even if they’re not around to see it for themselves. I know they’re smiling down on me and are proud of what I’ve done with Holley Ridge.
“That’s not stealing then,” Haley remarks.
“Maybe not to you. But to me…” I shake my head, chewing on my bottom lip. “No amount of money is enough. You can’t put a price on memories.”
“So you duped him into dance lessons in the hopes to…what?” She smooths a strand of auburn hair behind her ear.
“Make him leave. If tonight doesn’t work, I’m sure sunrise meditation will do the trick. Or cookie decorating lessons. Or judging the fruitcake competition. This guy hates Christmas. He’s about to be immersed in Christmas on steroids. My money’s on him cutting bait by the end of the weekend, if he even makes it through the tree lighting ceremony Saturday night.”
“What is this? Some twisted holiday version ofHow to Lose a Guy in Ten Days?” Haley takes a sip of her wine.
“And if it is?”
“Then I’m all for it, especially if you get laid.”
“Amen, sister.” Estelle holds up her hand, and Haley gives her a high five.
“I amnotsleeping with the enemy.” I roll my eyes, although the idea doesn’t make my stomach sour like I thought it would.
Truthfully, since Callum Reed checked in, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him. About his woodsy scent. Or the way he seemed on the brink of losing control when I teased him with a little moan. I don’t know what came over me. It just sort of…happened. There was just something about the shameless way he raked his gaze over me. Or flirted with me. Or held his breath whenever I drew near.
“You weren’t looking at him like he was the enemy earlier,” Estelle points out. “And he certainly wasn’t looking at you like you were, either. Don’t forget, that’s precisely how you were able to swindle him into this.”
“Trust me.” I brush off her insinuations. “He’ll be out of our hair soon. No way is he going to put up with a night of swing dancing just to butter me up to the idea of selling.”
