Page 104 of Five Days of Christmas Spice

One man is sitting, facing the doorway. He has a stuffy beard, and his arms are crossed over his chest.

“Finally, big brother.” The guy gets up, and he moves a lot more gracefully than he looks like he can.

“Hunter, good to see you.” Noel gives him a quick one-armed hug. “Meet Holly.”

“Why does he get to meet her first?” A man comes between us, slinging his arm over Noel’s shoulders.

“I’m Theo.” He extends his hand to me.

“Hi, I’m Holly.”

“There, you met her before Hunter. Are you happy?” Noel asks.

Theo flashes a grin. “Thrilled.”

“Congrats, Noel. Holly, I’m thrilled you managed to make this guy smile,” Hunter says.

“I have the first course coming out in two minutes. Sit down.” Evan gestures at the table.

“So Noel, do you notice anything missing?” Theo sits across from us, with Hunter on his right. Evan sits at the head of the table, and Noel guides me to a seat on his right.

“It’s a good crowd for a Thursday. Can’t say I noticed anything. Holly?”

“I don’t know, but this is my first time in a restaurant like this.”

“It’s the only restaurant like it in North America,” Evan says.

“That can’t be true.” Theo shakes his head, his sandy hair falling into his eyes.

“It is true.” Evan glares at his younger brother.

“What does it matter?” Hunter says.

“Are you going to tell us?” Noel glides his hand to my thigh.

Being in the room with the Brennon brothers is a little overwhelming, and I’m trying to take in all their facial gestures, trying to figure out if they are happy I’m here or if I am a fifth wheel when the strongest pressure rolls through my centre.

I gasp and grab Noel’s arm.

Noel passes me the filled water glass in front of me, his smile so mischievous I want to lick him.

“There’s not a single flower in the place because Evan fired the florist.”

“They did horrible work!” Evan protests.

Just then, the doors open, and a whole team rushes in, sitting down plates before us. The most delicious aroma fills my nostrils, and I don’t know what’s on my plate, but I’m going to eat it all.

“First bite is Hoisin meatballs. Please enjoy.” The waiter bows her head, and the team leaves the room.

“But now he has a photo shoot and needs flowers.”

“There must be a million florists in this city. Choose one,” Noel says.

He picks up his skewer and pulls off his meatball, smiling at me.

I reach for mine and pull back as my body is on fire with the pulsating rockets of vibration.

“Holly, are you okay?” Theo, a sly smile on his face.

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