Page 16 of Mistletoe Mischief

“Be careful who you’re labeling old,” she said, a clear warning in her tone.

Pike smirked. “Not you, Mom. You’re timeless.”

“Mm-hmm. We’ll be back on Saturday, and we’ll swing by with your sister’s gift for you.”

“Her gift? For what?”

“Christmas. She couldn’t wait for you to have it.”

Pike lost his smile. Any time his sister was excited about something, it usually did not bode well for him. “If it’s a snake, I don’t want it.”

“Oh, don’t be silly! As if I’d deliver a snake to you!”

“I just don’t get why she’s so anxious for me to have it unless it is something that will make me uncomfortable.”

His mother scoffed. “Can’t she just be happy that she found something you will love?”

“No, because she’s my sister.”

“I’m not going to debate your sister’s love with you,” his mother grumbled. “I’ll see you Saturday, and I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving.”

“Happy Thanksgiving. Give everyone my best.”

“I will. I love you.”

“Love you, too. Bye.” Pike ended the call at the same time Clark said, “And that’s the last one! Who is ready to get cleaned up and eat?” The men in the tent cheered, filing out the entrance, and Pike ended up falling into step with Anthony.

“You still put out about your parents ditching you?” Anthony asked, a smirk turning up the corners of his mouth. The ball cap he wore hooded the upper half of his face, obstructing the view of his green eyes. Pike had caught himself wishing for his friend’s big, muscular build and brooding good looks more than once, but being handsome hadn’t brought Anthony any luck in the love department. Pike always felt like a ginger Kevin Hart among his friends: the short, funny guy that women always noticed last, but for whatever reason, Anthony got noticed and his relationships didn’t last.

“No, I’m more concerned about the Christmas present she’ll be bringing home from my sister.”

“Maybe it’s a sparkling new thong you can wear for the bachelor auction.”

“Uh-uh, Merry said no nudity.”

Anthony chuckled. “When have the rules ever stopped you?”

“Alas, my short time moonlighting in an all-male review is done and over with. While I’ll relish the chance of getting back onstage to show the ladies of Mistletoe that I have a lot of love to offer, it will be in a vintage suit.”

“I don’t understand why we can’t wear whatever we feel comfortable in,” Anthony grumbled.

“It’s about putting our best foot forward. You’ve seen what some of these guys wear to Brews and Chews. No woman in her right mind would waste her money on greasy hair and a barbecue-stained shirt.” Pike clapped him on the back. “Look on the bright side, maybe you’ll attract the attention of someone great, and you’ll spend the holidays snuggled up under a blanket, talking about all the Christmas traditions you’ll implement with your future kids.”

Pike could tell by Anthony’s expression that he wanted to say something snarky, but he refrained. His friend had been in a funk lately, especially when it came to dating, and Pike didn’t know how to snap him out of it. If he looked like Anthony, Pike would eat up the attention at the auction.

Pike’s phone went off, and he checked the notifications. It was an Instagram message from Ryler.

We’re in the rental car on the way. Where are the trees? This does not match the pictures!

Pike laughed at the photo he’d attached of sagebrush and rolling hills.

“What’s funny?” Anthony asked.

“Oh, the assistant for Alia Cole. He’s in the valley on the way here and asking where the trees are.”

Anthony’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You’re messaging with the male assistant, huh? You got something you want to share?”

“Oh, knock it off. Did you really think I’d be organizing all the details with Alia? She’s got people for that.”