Page 56 of The Mistletoe Mix-up

“I was never trying to acquire a reputation. I just wanted to live my life and be happy.”

“Well, why don’t you happily pretend to be my situationship for five hundred bucks,” the woman said, opening her purse.

Sam stared at her, trying to gauge whether she was serious. After realizing that she was, he was beyond done. “Ladies, as much as I love the movies Pretty Woman and The Wedding Date, I do not want to be arrested for prostitution. So, I’m going to say good night and have a great time.”

“Oh, I don’t wanna sleep with you,” she said, adding, “Yuck. No offense, but I like limited body counts in men.”

“Oh no, she didn’t,” said Ricki, finally spinning around on her stool. She glared at the woman and pointed her finger. “I don’t care if you are speaking to a man or a woman; you will not slut-shame one of my friends. Now, you need to take your little butt away from here, because we both know the reason your boyfriend doesn’t love you is ’cause you’re as vanilla as they come, and he wants himself some sprinkles!”

Her friends were a mix of snickers and horrified expressions as the woman turned tail and ran to the corner of the room, where they all proceeded to crowd around a table, shooting Sam and Ricki venomous glances. Sam sat down and spun around in his chair, picking up his glass of Jack with a grin.

“You know, as a bartender, it is not a good idea to make your clients angry.”

“Oh, I’ve met that girl.” Ricki picked up her glass, grinning over the rim. “She’s a lousy tipper anyways.”

“Well, thanks for finally stepping in there,” Sam said dryly.

“You’re welcome. I was going to come to your rescue all along.” She knocked back the drink and set it on the counter. “I just wanted to see you squirm.”

Sam stared down at his glass of liquor, considering how his life had spun out of control these last few weeks, and he asked, “Do you think people can change?”

The bartender handed Ricki another drink, and she slipped him a ten. “Thanks.” The guy walked away smiling, and Ricki turned her attention back to Sam. “Are we speaking about anyone in the world, or are we speaking about specific people changing, because I am a firm believer that neither rapists nor pedophiles can change their spots.”

“Speaking more along the lines of regular, handsome men who have been perpetually single their whole lives.”

“Oh, so we’re talking about you. Okay, alright, I got you. We’re on the same page.” Taking a drink from her glass, she seemed to mull his question over and finally said, “In that case, I think if someone wants to change, they can, but usually there is a catalyst that brings about that change.” She leaned her cheek on the palm of her hand and gave him all her attention. “So, do you have a catalyst that you would like to share with the class?”

“Well, being torn apart on the radio didn’t help.”

“Yes, there was that, but was there something more? Something female that maybe made you think, ‘I could change my ways. I could be a boyfriend, maybe even a husband’?”

“I don’t remember saying I wanted to be a boyfriend or husband,” he mumbled.

Ricki huffed. “Then what are we talking about?”

“Fine, I’m thinking about being a boyfriend or husband, but she doesn’t want any of that.”

“And who is this mysterious ‘she’?” Ricki asked.

“I don’t know if you remember me in high school—”

“Do I remember the kid who thought he was badass on that dinky street bike? Please.” Ricki snorted.

“Well, the girl I dated my senior year is who I’m talking about.”

“The sheriff’s girl? The one who always fought the dress code and flirted her way out of trouble?” Ricki’s eyes widened. “Is she that new cutie cop in town?”

“That’s her.”

“Wow, glad she did well for herself. Most of the time cops’ kids go one of two ways,” Ricki said thoughtfully. “They either follow in their daddy’s footsteps, or they start breaking laws.”

“Well, even when she was in high school, she wasn’t breaking any laws.”

“I bet she was just breaking Daddy’s heart by dating you,” Ricki teased.

“Something like that,” Sam said, finishing off his drink and asking for another one. “Anyway, she’s back, but she doesn’t want anything with me.”

“What do you mean she doesn’t want anything with you?”