Page 105 of Mistletoe Mischief

“Delilah and Anthony fought, and he serenaded her. I feel like you need to sweeten the pot.”

“Oh, I’ll sweeten it alright. I bought you a packet of chocolate and a bottle of wine with the intention of groveling for your forgiveness, but got distracted by trying to help Anthony win back his girl.”

Ryler licked her lips. “Let me see what I can do.”

“Even if you can’t come now,” he said, releasing her hands and threading his fingers with hers, “I’d like to go back to our original arrangement. I want to spend as much time with you as possible before you go.”

“Still keeping it between us?” she whispered.

“Is that what you want?” he asked.

“I think it’s best.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do.”

Chapter Thirty-two

I’m trying not to be a bitter Ben, but I wish you could have come over last night.

Ryler stared at her phone, smiling at Pike’s Wednesday morning text. Alia had wanted to stay until the end of book club, having far too much fun hanging with Merry, but it turned out that book club was cut short due to Anthony vomiting all over Delilah’s front porch. Ryler had driven Alia back to the rental, but instead of being able to escape, Alia asked her to stay and watch movies with her. Ryler had texted Pike with her regrets last night, and he’d responded with a deliciously naughty pic and caption. I guess I’ll have to take care of this myself.

Ryler had tapped out a response, glancing over at Alia, who had fallen asleep on the other couch in the middle of Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. While it might be the campiest of the Dirty Dancing films, Ryler had always been partial to the romance between Javier and Katey.

Neither Neil nor Kit had stirred yet this morning, so Ryler silenced her phone, and using her finger, pulled the neckline of her night shirt down to expose an expanse of breasts. She took the picture and captioned the photo, Good morning. Would it make you feel better if I admitted I wish I’d come over too?

Her screen lit up with his next message, a shirtless picture of him in a pair of sweats and—

“Oh my,” Ryler whispered aloud when she realized his dick was creating that tent in his sweats.

This is what you do to me. I just have to think about your smile, and I’m hard as a fucking stone.

Ryler grinned as she texted, Maybe you should imagine me frowning.

Doesn’t help. It’s just you.

Ryler could get used to this kind of flattery and swung her legs off the couch, fully intending to use the bathroom and take a shower. Before she turned on the water, another text came through, this one from Neil.

I need to talk to you.

Ryler washed her hands and opened the bathroom door, then saw Neil peeking out of his room down the hall. He made a motion for her to come to him, and she did so reluctantly, allowing him to close the door behind them.

“What’s up, Neil?” she asked coolly.

“Look, I know I should have told you about Alia and me, but I thought it was nothing. Just the two of us hooking up when we were bored or lonely. I didn’t plan any of this.”

“I know you didn’t, but that doesn’t change the fact that you slept with my cousin. For better or for worse, you’re the father of her baby, and whatever you’re doing is hurting her. You’re making her feel small and sad, and I hate it.”

Neil ran his hands over his face and took a seat on the edge of the bed. “You know, for years I thought it was going to be you and me? I mean, we tried it in college, but this podcast was about us and our love of the world. Of discovering new things. When did we lose sight of that?”

“Neil,” Ryler whispered, sitting next to him on the bed. “You’re my best friend, but I don’t—feel that way about you.”

“Especially now that I’ve impregnated your cousin.”

“Definitely didn’t win you any points, but I’m more concerned about what this means for the two of you. I know that you’ve been looking at other shows.” Ryler almost laughed at his horrified expression. “What? You should be careful what you say. Your voice carries.”

“Why aren’t you angrier with me?” he asked.

“Because this is life. You are well within your rights to get bored and look for something else, whether that be a new job or a relationship. We’ve been friends a long time, and I’d like things to stay that way. I don’t want you to resent me for holding you back.”