Page 53 of Dragged Home for Christmas

I’m sorry, Nick, but I think I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.

“There’s tea in the lobby if you want some,” Ashley called out from the theater. She and Jim had been getting the space ready for Phil’s recital that afternoon.

“In a sec.” He had to smile. Ashley had told him once that her grandma was a firm believer in tea as a cure-all.Shehas to be a Brit.Mike went downstairs to check on the club space, making sure all was ready for its next influx on Friday night.

He gazed at the glitter ball that sent shards of light dancing over the walls. When the place was full, it got a little claustrophobic, not that Mike was into dancing all that much.

Sam teased him that his sole purpose in going down there was to ogle, and Mike had laughed and replied,And your point is?

Sam had nothing to worry about. Mike intended getting hot and sweaty with only one guy.

He went back upstairs and out onto the porch, taking care to walk carefully because of the ice. The lobby was warm, thanks to the fire roaring behind the grate. He stopped in surprise at the sight of the whole gang.

“Why aren’t you all out doing things?” he quipped. “This looks like a town meeting.” Then his throat seized when his remark didn’t raise so much as a smile.

“That’s because it is—kinda,” Anthony began. “We figured it was about time we had a little chat.”

Mike’s heart sank.Seems as though I’m not the only one who’s lost hope. And if they were about to dash all his hopes, he really didn’t want to hear it.

He pointed to Jim’s garish holidays sweater, done in red and green, with images of holly, reindeer, Santa, and gifts topped with a red bow. “I didn’t think I’d seeyouin something like that. I thought you were a man of good taste.”

Jim chuckled. “Which I am—usually. I saw this in my closet this morning, and I guess it kinda spoke to me.” His face tightened. “I didn’t wear it last Christmas. It… it was a present from Nick.” Then he froze. “Well fuck. Look who didn’t get the message the first time. I thought we’d seen thelast of him.”

Mike followed Jim’s gaze to where Ben Sharp stood peering through the glass.

Great. That’s all I need today.Then he stilled.Maybe that’sexactlywhat we need.

He got up and walked toward the door. “Let’s hear what he has to say.”

“We already know that part,” Ashley protested.

Mike ignored her and opened the door. “Ben. Come in.”

Ben looked a little different. He’d lost the suit and was dressed in jeans, a thick coat, and a long red scarf. His boots were covered in snow, and he stomped on the mat.

His gaze flickered to the tea pot on the table. “I wouldn’t say no if there’s a cup going. It’s freezing out there.”

Ashley glared at him. “Usually guests wait to be invited.” Her eyes gleamed. “Oh wait, that’s right. We didn’t invite you.”

Mike fired her a warning glance before giving Ben his attention. “What can we do for you?”

“I’ll come straight to the point.” Ben glanced at his surroundings. “I notice you haven’t announced when the hotel will re-open. I can guess why that is. The survey didn’t make for pleasant reading, did it?”

Mike froze. “And how would you know the contents of that survey?”

“It was a fair bet who’d carry it out—there’s only one civil engineer around here who conducts inspections. I just happen to have a source there.” Ben straightened. “But I digress. I’m here to make you a very handsome offer for the Velvet House, one that will make all your financial headaches a thing of the past.”

“You’re assuming Mike wants to sell.” Sam’s voicewas low and firm.

Ben glanced at him. “He’d be a fool not to.” He met Mike’s gaze. “And you don’t strike me as a fool. You’ve rallied the town around you, so my sources tell me. But classes and workshops won’t even scratch the surface of what you need, and if you were honest, you’d admit that you know this is a lost cause.”

Ashley pulled her phone from her pocket, got up from the couch, and wandered over to the front desk. She disappeared behind it.

Mike didn’t have time to wonder what she was doing. He was too busy digesting Ben’s words. They left a sour taste in his mouth, but most medicine did that, right?

He sighed. “What are you offering?”

Ben beamed. “I knew you’d see sense. I’m prepared to pay you six million dollars. And in case you have ideas of asking for more, thatwillbe my final offer.”

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