Page 22 of Just Home for the Holidays

“No, just checking that everything is arranged.”

Her sister came into the room and dropped to sit on the bed, bouncing a little. Although both sisters were tall and slender, Chloe had always thought that Mandy had all the verve. Her big sister had dark blond hair and green eyes, and Chloe thought she was prettier. She dressed with flair, choosing garments with arty angles and unexpected pops of color. She taught Art and Chloe guessed that she was known as the funky teacher. She was as blunt as Chloe was practical. “I thought maybe you were trying to find extra time to be with Hunter.”

“No, not that.”

“Because if you want to dump us anytime, it’s okay. I didn’t expect you to spend every day with me and the girls.” Mandy smiled. “It’s great, but I don’t want you to feel obliged to spend your vacation with us.”

“I don’t. I’ve been looking forward to it for ages.” Chloe brought her laptop to the bed and showed her sister the display. “Hunter says I’ve missed something and I can’t figure out what it is.”

Mandy laughed a little. “Ah, so you’re insulted.”

“I’m not.”

Mandy studied the screen. She’d cut her hair short after Alex’s arrival and it suited her. It also showed off her earrings more, since she was inclined to wear long sparkly ones. “Other than it being kind of intense, I don’t see an issue.”

“Intense?”

“The ultimate Manhattan Christmas. I’ll call you the next time we do a family vacation in Orlando and you can book it all.” Mandy smiled and handed back the laptop. She wandered around the room, looking at various items, touching a few. “It’s so strange to be back here, don’t you think?”

“Why?”

“It takes me back. It’s like a time capsule.” She picked up a teddy bear and wagged it at Chloe, probably remembering the guy who had given it to her in high school.

“I guess.”

“All the things we collected but didn’t take with us,” Mandy mused. Chloe’s dress for the party was hanging on the closet door and Mandy fingered it. “Very pretty. It’s a good color for you, too.” She glanced over her shoulder. “What’s he like?”

“Hunter?”

Mandy nodded.

“Irreverent, flirtatious and serious trouble.”

Mandy laughed. “Trouble in terms of what?”

“The status quo. Assumptions.”

“Your heart?”

“No.” Chloe couldn’t lie to her sister. She dropped her voice. “It’s just a fake date, but don’t tell Mom.”

“Is that right?” Mandy said, in that knowing big-sister tone that Chloe hated.

“It is!”

“Well, anything that helps you fend off the master plan of you and Josh tying the knot works for me.”

Chloe was surprised. “You don’t like him?”

Mandy shook her head, as decisive as ever. “Never could figure out what you saw in him in the first place, except the plan of the moms. I like the sound of Hunter, though. Is he hot?”

“Yes.”

“Aha! Admitted without hesitation. That’s promising.”

“He hates Christmas.”

Mandy turned to look at Chloe, her gaze assessing. “Why?”

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