Page 4 of My Knight Before Christmas
She turned over her shoulder to look at me. “I have a good class this year.”
Speaking of jobs reminded me the bakery I worked at would soon be chaotic. “Can you believe Meg leaves for California to filmBaking Spirits Brightin three weeks?“ I asked. My boss, Megan Frost, was competing in a Christmas baking show to get more exposure for the bakery. I’d been assigned manager duties while she was gone. I was only slightly freaking out. Not that I would tell Meg that. She panicked enough over leaving her bakery in my hands.
“I swear you were just telling us she applied for the show,” Anna said. She merged onto the freeway toward her boyfriend’s house.
I filmed Meg’s audition almost six months ago. How had time passed so quickly? “It seriously feels like it. What if I mess something up? I’m not sure I’ll remember everything Meg told me,” I moaned.
Amy turned around in her seat, facing me. “You’ll be great, I promise. And if you need help, we’re here.” She pointed between Anna and herself.
“Well,” Anna grimaced. “I have two parties coming up, so my time is limited. But absolutely. If you need us, we’ll be there.”
“You gals are the best.” I placed a hand on each of their shoulders and squeezed. “So, who will be at Spencer’s?”
Amy and Anna shared a wide-eyed look again. Anna met my gaze in the rearview mirror before darting back to the road.
I raised my brows and tilted my head. “What’s happening?” I pointed between the two of them.
Amy shrugged.
Right. And I was a monkey’s uncle. “Y’all are dropping Texas-sized hints thatsomethingis going on. Why won’t you just say it?”
Anna responded without taking her eyes off the road. “Does it matter? Tonight will be fun.” Her face was the same as when she forced me to go to a haunted house during our freshmen year of college.
I don’t do scary. There was enough crazy in the world that purposely seeking out fear for the sake of entertainment was loonier than tightrope walking across the Grand Canyon.
“Excuse me for not believing you,” I retorted. I almost stuck my tongue out at her, but I wouldn’t bring myself down to the same level as Amy’s second-graders. At least, not this time.
I played with the hem of Anna’s dress, stewing over their odd behavior. Obviously, they were keeping something from me, but what? And why? From their shared looks, it wasn’t a good surprise. Maybe I shouldn’t have come to the party after all.
Before I knew it, we arrived at Spencer’s. My stomach quivered with unease. I folded my arms and set my chin at an angle. I would stay there until they told me what was going on.
Amy opened my door, pulling me out. “Come on. Barbeque is waiting.”
Drat. I could already taste the ribs falling off the bone between my teeth. I smoothed the skirt of my dress, then followed my friends.
Spencer’s home was situated just outside of downtown Lampton. The leaves on the tree-lined street showed off their tinges of yellow and orange as they waved in the breeze. The craftsman cottages had fall wreaths on their doors, welcoming the cooler temps with their pumpkin inspired decor. Spencer’s pale-green siding, large covered porch, and neatly trimmed bushes leading up the walkway oozed New England charm. Instead of knocking on the solid-wood door, Anna walked right in.
Music notes mingled with the rise and fall of voices. I inhaled, reveling in the tang of smoked meat. Spencer was standing in the living room, surrounded by a few guys. Anna waltzed up to him and kissed his cheek. “Hey, Babe.”
"Hi," Spencer said to Anna. "You look gorgeous."
“Hey, Spencer.” I gave him a quick side-hug. “Congrats on the new job. That’s exciting.”
“Thanks. I’m looking forward to working for Li—“
“We’re going to get some food,” Amy interrupted Spencer. Uh, that was a little harsh. Especially for Amy.
“Good idea,” Anna said. She turned wide, crazy eyes to Spencer and waved her fingers across her throat in acut itmotion.
Seriously, what was happening with my friends tonight? “You guys,” I whined.
Amy pulled on my arm. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.” She led me to the kitchen, not giving me a chance to have any say on the matter. If my all-time favorite food wasn’t waiting, I’d protest with a full-on tantrum.
Disposable aluminum pans from Big Doc’s BBQ filled the kitchen island. My mouth watered. I almost elbowed Amy out of the way so I could go first.
“Here.” She passed me a plate.
As I grabbed it from her, the sliding glass door that led to the deck opened. Two men walked in chuckling, one of whom was the last person I’d ever expected to see.
