Page 21 of Holiday Hook Up

“You don’t have to tell me who he is. I’m sure I’ll see you tonight.”

“Tonight,” she repeated. “Right.” The event organizers aimed to offer two events before Christmas and the wild card date after, but before the First Kiss New Year’s ball. She was going to have to buy out the Ben & Jerry’s section of the supermarket to get through the next two weeks. “I actually didn’t pay for a Holiday Hook Up, but I heard Rachel did.”

He nodded. “Yes, she did.”

She took a long sip of her hot chocolate, pretending the next question didn’t matter to her in the least. “How do you feel about that?”

He shrugged. “It’s weird, and I definitely didn’t see it coming. One minute, I’m kissing this incredibly beautiful woman and the next my ex is dragging me across the room, declaring that I’m hers for the next two weeks.”

Bethany brought up her mug to cover the big grin that was forming.He just called me beautiful.

“So can I see your photos?”

There weren’t many to show, but she’d managed to get a few shots at the end of the evening. She could probably let him see those and say she’d already downloaded the rest onto her computer. “Sure, I’ll be right back.”

Bethany headed into the back to retrieve her camera, her heart pounding. Had Adam enjoyed their dark corner entanglement every bit as much as she had? He did say she was beautiful. Maybe she should march right back out there and confess that she was the woman.

She glanced up at Mr. July. Maybe she should practice first. “Adam, you’re never going to believe this, but I’m the one you made out with. Surprise!”

She shook her head.Lame.She’d have to think of something else. What if she suggested that they have dinner tonight at her place? She could make her pasta primavera that all her friends rave about, so she knew it was good. Then, as they enjoyed a bottle of red wine, she could confess. She smiled, rather enjoying the vision of both of them leaning across her dining room table to share another hot kiss.

But to make that a reality, she needed to get back onto the floor and see if he had plans for tonight. Grabbing her camera, she returned only to find Adam with his back against the counter in a lively conversation with the only other customer in the store.

Rachel.

“Good morning,” Bethany greeted her best friend, masking her disappointment.Stupid Bethany.Asking Adam over for dinner wasn’t going to happen. Especially not tonight since he’d be ice-skating with Rachel. They were probably making plans for their first date. “How are you?”

“Absolutely wonderful,” Rachel replied, her gaze never leaving Adam.

Adam pulled himself up off the counter. “I was just telling Rachel about my success this morning.”

“I never doubted you.” Rachel tugged on his arm. “So who was it on?”

“Can’t say. The bachelorette needs some time before going public.” He chuckled. “A lot of time.”

Bethany smiled over at Adam. She liked the fact that he’d revealed to her earlier that it was Zoe but didn’t divulge that information to Rachel.

“Well, you are going to make many bachelorettes happy in the new year,” Rachel said.

He pulled out his buzzing phone, glancing down at the screen. “Excuse me, ladies, that’s Tom. We’re meeting up later.”

While Adam stepped away to take the call, Rachel spun around, placing her hands on the counter and leaned in. “I have thebestidea. Guess what we’re going to do tonight?”

Bethany had a feeling she wasn’t going to like where this was going. “You and Adam?”

“Yes, me and Adam.”

Since when did her friend get so excited about ice skating? While Rachel was the first to sign up for water skiing lessons or suggest they all spend the afternoon sailing up and down Buttermilk Lake, winter recreation wasn’t her thing. Nevertheless, she could ice-skate. Most folks in this town had learned at one point or another. “Won’t you be at the rink?” Bethany asked.

Rachel scrunched her nose. “Don’t remind me.” She leaned in. “But after we’re done, that’s when the real date begins. I’m going to take him to Ralph’s for a sausage and mushroom pizza.”

Bethany’s heart sank at that news because she suspected Rachel was re-creating the first date she’d had all those years ago with Adam. A date thatonlyhappened because Bethany had nudged her friend toward him and encouraged her to ask him out. She’d even told her what pizza to suggest because she’d learned firsthand when she was fourteen how Adam Reed liked his pizza.

She didn’t think it was possible to experience the heartache she’d felt all those years ago when she watched Rachel ask Adam out, but there it was—building in her chest. “Well, you both will need to eat,” was all she could say.

“You don’t remember that he and I went there for our first date? You suggested it.”

“I remember.”And what I wouldn’t give to go back in time and yank myself off the football field.“I’m sure he will appreciate the romantic gesture.”

---