Page 54 of Mistletoe Mischief

“So?” Clark said, grinning at Nick. “She’s my wife.”

“Is the rest of her crew cute, too?” Sam asked.

“There is only one other woman, her assistant. The producer and photographer are men,” Pike said.

“And?” Sam asked.

“And what?”

“Tell me about the assistant,” Sam said, waving his hand impatiently. “What’s she like?”

“Would that be the assistant you helped with the tree yesterday?” Nick asked.

“Ryler,” Holly said, leaning into her boyfriend Declan’s side. “She is super cute.”

“Single?” Sam asked.

Pike’s spine stiffened at Sam’s line of questioning.

“I’m not sure, but I think so,” Holly said.

“Hmmm, I’ve never dated a California girl before,” Sam said.

Pike clenched his jaw. “I don’t think she’s your type.”

“Oh yeah? What’s my type?” Sam asked.

Pike didn’t have a good answer, but Holly jumped in to add, “I feel like she might be too introverted for you.”

While he wouldn’t have called Ryler introverted, Pike appreciated Holly’s attempt to dissuade Sam’s interest. Although, maybe Ryler would be excited at Sam’s interest. Every other woman in town, including his ex-girlfriend, fawned all over the elder Griffin.

“I like the quiet ones. They can be the freakiest.”

Pike’s vision blurred around the edges, and his fists clenched. Pike didn’t want Sam talking about Ryler like she was just one of his groupies, someone to use up and throw away. “She’s more than just a piece of meat, you know.”

“Whoa, what’s wrong with you?” Sam asked.

“Nothing, I’m just saying, she isn’t some lust bunny you can use and then forget about.”

“Lust bunny?” Sam laughed.

“Uh, Sam, I think you’re upsetting Fish,” Noel said, taking Pike’s phone and looking at the screen. She handed it to Nick, who simply held it out to Pike, just like every other attached man at the table.

Pike slipped it back into his pocket, trying to keep smiling as all the attention turned to him. “No, I’m fine.”

“If you’re interested in the assistant, pal, no worries,” Sam said casually.

“I’m not interested in anyone. The only thing I want is for the podcast to share Adventures in Mistletoe favorably with the world.”

“You heard him,” Sam said. “He isn’t upset, and he isn’t coveting the assistant either.”

Noel shot Pike a look of concern, but he ignored it, focusing on finishing his beer so he could order something stronger. Pike didn’t want to think of Sam or anyone else getting close enough to talk to Ryler, let alone sleep with her. It didn’t matter that they weren’t interested in each other or planning on hooking up, it was about Pike feeling responsible for her. She and the rest of the Excursions crew had come in on his suggestion, and he wanted to make sure that they were all treated with the utmost respect.

Even Ryler, who could press every last button he had.

Pike downed the rest of his beer and got to his feet. “I’m going to get another round. Anyone want something?”

“I’ll come with you,” Nick said, climbing to his feet.