Page 66 of Holiday Hook Up

“Yeah, and there was enough ice in that greeting to melt all the snow off the sidewalk. Did you two get into a fight?”

Rachel rolled her eyes. “Kind of. Yeah, I guess. It’s over.” She took the hot chocolate Bethany poured for her. “Besides, I told you it was just sex. We did it. It was fun. We’re done.”

“Okay then.” Bethany might have believed her if her friend wasn’t fixated on what was happening across the street. Bethany stretched her head to see Will carrying in a sidewalk billboard. “Did you notice how nice he looked?”

“Yeah,” Rachel admitted. “I mean, no. Who cares?”

“Well, not you as you’ve clearly stated, but on the off chance you did care, you might find it interesting to know that he’s going to be running his mother’s shop for a few weeks.”

“Will is running Belle Bridal Boutique?”

“Yep.”

Rachel stared out the window in silence before delivering a flat, “Wonderful.”

“How was your Christmas?” Bethany asked, deciding to change the subject.

Rachel turned back around. “It was really nice. I love having Donovan here. Although, did you hear about what the bonehead did last night?”

“No. What happened?”

“He nearly set my house on fire. I had the entire fire department there for two hours.”

Bethany’s hand flew to her mouth. “You were Adam’s emergency?” She put it down. “I mean, a group of us were at the Lakeside Inn when the call came in. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, there’s barely any damage. It could have been a lot worse.” She raised an eyebrow. “I hear you have a date for the First Kiss Ball.”

Bethany smiled. So Adam had been talking about her to Rachel. Was it a good sign that he told his ex that he’d asked her to the First Kiss Ball? “How do you feel about that?”

“I think it’s great. You both are friends. You’ll have fun.”

“Right.” Her heart deflated. Had he told Rachel they were going just as friends? Was that how he felt?

Rachel moved toward the window and peered out. “Oh . . . my . . . God.”

“What’s Will doing now?” Bethany asked, and removed her apron. It’d been another long day. She was eager to call it a night and perhaps fix herself a nice glass of wine. She’d be lying if she didn’t also admit she was anxious to get home in hopes that her neighbor would stop by. She’d even dressed up a bit in one of her sleeveless black dresses in case she saw him. She wanted to look nice.

Rachel spun around in her boots. “You have to see this.”

Bethany crossed the floor and stood next to Rachel who’d already opened the door. Dozens of women were running down Main Street. “Well, that’s unusual.”

“Let’s find out what’s going on.” Rachel stepped out and Bethany followed, running smack into Pauline Maycock.

“Oh my goodness, sorry, Bethany.” Pauline stopped and caught her breath. “I don’t think I’ve gotten this much exercise all year.”

“Where’s everyone going?” Bethany asked as the door from the nail salon flew open across the street and a group of women rushed out. One customer blew frantically on her nails while running to keep up with the bunch.

“They’re headed . . . to the . . . Sugar Spoon.” Pauline barely pushed out the last sentence, winded from running. “Adam’s doing the Batter Up spell tonight.”

“He’s what?” Bethany stared down the street in the direction of the Sugar Spoon. Adam had said last night that he’d stop by and see Sheila, but wasn’t that only to practice? Was he actually attempting to do it again with an audience?

Panic raced through her. If so, who would be his bachelorette? She needed to get down there immediately, because if her theory was correct and he outed the wrong couple who last kissed, all hell could break loose.

But then again, was she ready to reveal her theory to him? She’d wanted to do it all at once—including her confessing that if her theory was correct his name would appear in her batter because she was the mysterious blonde from the Holiday Hook Up.

Rachel grabbed her hand and dragged her a couple steps. “Let’s go.”

“Wait. I need to lock up first.” Bethany dashed in and grabbed her coat and purse from the back office. Minutes later, she jammed her key in the door and locked it.

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