Page 64 of The Mistletoe Mix-up

Nick’s wife told us about it when she picked up Ricki from Brews and Chews.

She’s the bartender, right? They got here about thirty minutes ago.

There was no way to beat them there since we are all walking. You’ve probably got another fifteen minutes before we arrive.

Arrive where?

Wait, are you coming to book club? To sing? Why? No!

Yes, we are coming to book club, but don’t worry. If it makes you feel better, I won’t let on that I like you.

They popped out of one neighborhood, and Anthony waved them on. Sam sure hoped that the guy knew where he was going and wasn’t dragging them around in circles.

His notification beeped, and he opened Wren’s message. You like me, huh?

As if he hadn’t been clear on that.

I do.

Rows of cars were parked on either side of the street, and Anthony called back, “It’s just ahead.”

Sam’s phone beeped again, and the message was clear.

You shouldn’t. I’m bad news.

Funny. I was beginning to think you were too bland to be bad. The lawful job. The early bedtime.

You’re criticizing me for being an adult?

An adult who doesn’t know how to cut loose and have a good time.

Oh, I’ll show you such a good time, Griffin, you’ll be ruined for other women.

Promise or threat, because I’m down for either.

They were nearing the end of the road, where Anthony waved them onto the lawn of a blue duplex.

“Alright, we need to practice so we can get this right,” Anthony said, hopping from foot to foot. “On my count— And a one, two, three.”

All the men started singing “Hey There Delilah” by the Plain White T’s, even Sam, although he was drowned out by Pike’s voice. After what seemed like hours of singing, the front door opened, and several women poured out. Sam recognized Delilah, since she was Holly’s best friend, at the front of the group, but the brunette behind her was new.

When Sam spotted a familiar blonde step out on the porch, he grinned at her slack-jawed expression.

“What are you doing here?” Delilah asked, her face burnished in the porch light.

“We have come courtin’,” Pike called, bowing with flourish.

Sam rolled his eyes and grabbed the other man by the back of the jacket, discreetly lifting him out of the ridiculous pose. “No, we’ve not.”

Delilah disappeared back inside for a moment, only to return to the porch with her jacket. “Again, why are you all gathered on my lawn?”

“I’m getting to that,” Anthony said, clearing his throat. “Nick?”

Nick held his phone up, and the first notes of “Hey There Delilah” sounded, and suddenly Anthony was singing at the top of his lungs. All his friends started humming along, but Sam hesitated; with Wren watching him, he felt like a giant dweeb. Declan interrupted his vocals and leaned over toward Sam, his voice low and commanding. “If I have to be here singing this crap, so do you.”

Sam coughed, smothering a laugh. Although Sam liked to mess with the big guy, he actually liked Holly’s grumpy, antisocial boyfriend.

“Oh, it’s what you do to me!” Anthony belted, slightly offbeat and slurring his s’s, but as Sam vocalized with the rest of them, they didn’t sound half bad.