Page 23 of Mistletoe Mischief

“That is true,” Ryler said, pausing to see if Alia would notice her irritation before adding, “Which one of your many admirers are you chatting up?”

Alia blushed, finally looking up from the phone, although she didn’t exactly meet Ryler’s eye. “No one special.”

“Then why is your face so red?” Ryler teased.

“Because it’s really warm in here,” Alia said, suddenly getting up from the table. “I’m going to the bathroom.”

“Alright,” Ryler said, watching her leave. It wasn’t like Alia to be cagey about her conquests. Was she recycling an ex Ryler didn’t approve of? Oh man. The list of sucky former boyfriends was long, and Ryler hoped she was wrong.

Ryler’s notification beeped, and she checked her Instagram DMs. Glad you made it safely. If you and the crew want to meet up, I’m headed to Brews and Chews for a drink.

Rylie’s pulse kicked into high gear. Pike was going to be here? Tonight?

Sure, she’d imagined there was a possibility he’d show up, this being a small town and all, but the knowledge that he was coming …

Not to mention he thought she was a guy and was probably in lust with her cousin, but details.

The pretty bartender waved at someone behind Ryler. “Hey, Pike.”

Ryler straightened at the name, turning discreetly in her chair to get a look at him. He appeared disheveled compared to his Instagram pics, as if he’d just gotten out of the shower. His hair was brushed back like he’d just run his fingers through it. The collared shirt he wore was unbuttoned at the top, and there seemed to be something hanging from it she couldn’t make out. His shirt was untucked, covering up his jean-clad backside.

Not that she was looking.

“Hi, Ricki, how are you?” he asked, taking an empty stool with his back to Ryler.

Ricki shrugged, her smooth tan shoulders exposed in her muscle tank top. “Same old. Want a beer?”

Pike shook his head, and although she could only make out his profile, Ryler thought he may have winced. “Something stronger.”

“Rough day?”

“I’d say so.”

“Whiskey it is, then.” Ricki grabbed a bottle off the shelf and brought it back over to the bar tap with a glass full of ice.

Alia came out of the bathroom, and Ryler held her breath, hoping that Pike wouldn’t recognize her yet. Ryler wanted to have a little time to watch him before introducing herself … and Alia.

Yeah, that doesn’t seem stalkerish at all.

Ryler could freely admit that she found the guy intriguing and the last thing she wanted was to watch him drool all over her cousin, which was bound to happen. Every guy lost their mind when they met Alia, except for Neil and Kit, but they were atypical. Pike definitely seemed like the type of guy to be struck dumb by big blue eyes and a killer smile.

Alia managed to make it back to the table without being recognized by Pike, probably because she was bundled up in a sweatshirt and jeans, her blond hair haphazardly thrown on top of her head. It wasn’t her normal look, but he also seemed distracted by the need for another drink and was hyper-focused on the bartender, Ricki.

“Are you about ready to go back to the house?” Alia asked, standing behind her chair with her back to Pike.

Ryler glanced from her cousin to Pike’s impressive shoulders. “Not particularly.”

“Really? Because I’m feeling kind of funky.”

Ryler noticed her cousin’s pallor and wanted to kick herself for being a selfish tool. Alia obviously wasn’t feeling well, and Ryler kept railroading her into staying because Ryler wanted to check out their guide.

“Of course, we can go. Sorry, I was just people-watching.”

“That’s okay, you stay. I’m sure I could get an Uber to take me back to the house.”

Ryler laughed. “An Uber here? I doubt it.”

“Oh, you want to bet?” Alia said, holding up her phone. “Check that out.”