“I’ve been meaning to call you,” Nick said. “Things have been pretty hectic, but I owe you a dinner.”
Harlow laughed out loud. “I think it’s me who owes you a dinner, Nick. Mine was disastrous.”
The food may have been rotten, but the company had been exceptional.
“Truth is, I can’t think of the last time I had so much fun with someone,” Nick confessed.
Something flickered in Harlow’s eyes that told Nick she felt the same way he did. She opened her mouth to say something just as Lucy began clapping to get their attention, breaking up the moment between them. “Okay, we’re about to start selling the tickets. Here’s the list of items they can win and pricing for the tickets. Ten winning items in all, with the grand prize being a weekend for two in Vail.”
Luke let out a whistle. “Nice! I’ve never been to Vail.”
“Well, buy some tickets,” Stella said. “You gotta be in it to win it.”
“If you buy a raffle ticket, selfies with a purchase,” Dante called out. He flashed his million-dollar movie-star grin at the crowd.
People began flocking toward him and pulling out their cash. “Line up, people. Don’t worry. Everyone will get a turn with the Inferno,” Lucy called out.
“Dante’s killing it,” Nick said as he eyeballed the golden boy of Mistletoe working the crowd.
“Using that Hollywood charm!” Luke chimed in, nodding his head approvingly.
“You’re not doing too bad yourselves,” Harlow said. “Mistletoe’s eye candy.”
***
“You think I’m eye candy?” Nick asked in a low voice. Harlow had blurted out the words without thinking. Now she felt her cheeks getting flushed. She’d basically let on how much she was into him without saying it directly.
“I said what I said,” she answered. “Stop fishing for compliments.”
Nick chuckled. “Give me a break. I live with a nine-year-old. It’s pretty rare to hear nice things about myself.”
Harlow rolled her eyes. “Cry me a river, Keegan.”
“Definitely Maine’s finest,” Stella said, beaming at her husband.
“We need to give Dante some competition,” Luke said. “I’m a former Navy SEAL. He’s bringing out my competitive spirit.”
“You could take your shirts off and show some abs,” Harlow suggested. She was only half kidding. She had a feeling Nick, with his search and rescue exploits, was hiding a serious six-pack under his sweater. She wouldn’t be opposed to seeing his abs.
“I have my dignity,” Luke quipped.
“Barely,” Nick responded, earning himself a jab in the side from Luke.
“You think it would work?” Nick asked, slowly peeling off his jacket.
“Take it off. Take it off!” Stella, Lucy, and Harlow began to chant.
“Troublemaker,” Nick said, looking straight at Harlow and wiggling his eyebrows.
“Always,” Harlow answered, winking at Nick.
“I can’t,” Nick said with a shake of his head. “This is a family event. I might never be able to live it down if I go there.”
Harlow, Lucy, and Stella let out groans of disappointment.
“What a tease,” Harlow muttered, her lips twitching at the bemused look Nick sent her. She hoped he knew that she was teasing him. Nick had the most playful facial expressions.
“You’re right,” Lucy said. “It’s PG. Family oriented. Your abs might send the women of Mistletoe into a complete and utter frenzy.”
