Page 65 of Dragged Home for Christmas

“You were amazing!” Jim planted an exuberant kiss on Mike’s cheeks.

Anthony picked Ashley up and swung her around. “And as for you? Girl, you have enough sass and vinegar to be a queen.”

“Put me down. You’re way too tall, and I don’t have a head for heights.”

He lowered her back down to earth. “Seriously, I was impressed.”

“Well, thenerveof her.” Ashley glared. “As if we need her anyway.”

“Which we don’t,” Elliott affirmed. “We’re gonna knock ’em deadwithoutany help from her.”

“Besides, if she brought her Hollywood costumes, she’d only clash with ours.” Jim preened. “Ours aresomuch better.”

“We are going toslaythem tomorrow night,” Sam declared, his eyes shining.

Mike gazed at the jubilant group.

“Sam’s right. We’ve got this.”

Now all he had to do wasnotfuck up.

Chapter 21

Friday, December 20

First Night

Mike stared at the rack of costumes hidden behind the curtain. “You get to wear all these?” Beneath every outfit was a pair of shoes, and suspended from each hanger was a bag containing the jewelry that went with it.

Anthony laughed. “How many numbers do you think we’ve got planned?”

“Do you perform the same songs every night?”

Elliott shook his head as he scrolled on the tablet. “We like to mix it up a bit.” He beamed. “Okay, the playlist is ready.” He peered at Mike. “You know what you’re doing, right? Because if I sashay out there to sing “I’m Coming Out”, and what pours outta the speakers is “I’m Every Woman”, heads are gonna roll. Well, one head in particular.”

Mike laughed. “Will you chill? Sam’s had me running through this about fifty times.” He peered at the large kidney-shaped foam pads sitting on top of a trunk. “What are these?”

Jim grabbed them. “Those,sugar, are my hips.”

“Mike, you in here?” Ashley called from the bar. “Matt from the Provincetown Fudge Factory is here with the boxes.”

Anthony’s eyes gleamed. “Ooh, I think I might lend you a hand.”

Mike snorted. “Think again. Those little boxes of chocolates are destined for the guests’ pillows, not your belly.” The company was only one of several P-town businesses that had contributed to Nick’s Place. There were prints on the walls, ornaments in the lobby, and both theProvincetown Business Guild and the Provincetown History Project had provided framed photos of the hotel and the town, dating back many decades.

He and Sam had gone through every piece of bed linen, throwing out anything that was no longer fit for purpose. Thankfully, there wasn’t much that ended up in the trash, and they’d bought new sets.

He’d taken a last look at the place that morning, and he had to admit, everyone had done a stellar job. The first guests were due to arrive the following day, and Jim was going to work the front desk, with Ashley taking over while he was on stage.

We’re finally ready.

“Now scoot.” Sam smacked his butt. “We need to get changed.”

Elliott rolled his eyes. “Yeah, it’s only two hours until blast-off.” He grinned. “And it’ll take Ant that long to squeeze his fat ass into his dress.” Then he squealed as Ant gave chase, and all of them laughed to watch Elliott dodging behind the curtains.

“He’ll be watching, you know,” Sam murmured.

Mike didn’t have to ask whohewas.

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