Page 10 of Miss Humbug
Ethan was here.My Ethan.
I couldn’t actually call himmy Ethan.Not after so many years of dropped contact with my oldest friend.
Schmoozing at Crystal Cove’s sad excuse for nightlife after traveling halfway across the country was not my idea of a good time, but running into Ethan Sawyer felt fortuitous. Maybe even downright miraculous.
I nudged Ethan’s beer bottle with my own, causing a lightclink. “Let’s go outside.”
Ethan nodded and stood.
“Don’t let her take off,” Ashe called after us.
“Letme,” I grumbled. “I’m my own person.”
And being here in Crystal Cove meant I wasn’t. My own person. Yup, I’d had to hightail it out of town to become something other than an interchangeable piece of the famed Holly family. Once wealthy, but not immune to tragedy. We were the cautionary tale that money couldn’t fix everything.
A line of smokers and vapers gathered outside. I veered the opposite direction, which offered a dark but pleasant view of evergreens. I stamped my feet to get my circulation going.
Ethan nodded toward me. “Nice boots.”
I snickered. “Courtesy of Cara, Ashe’s wife. I feel ridiculous.”
“You don’t look ridiculous.”
A familiar shyness hit instantly. “Um, thanks.” Subject change incoming! “Hey, I’m sorry you got sucked into our weird family drama.” And my life, period. “Probably not what you were looking for tonight.” I shivered into my borrowed sweatshirt which was warm but not warm enough.
Ethan peeled off his coat. “Here.”
“No, you don’t have to—” Warmth spread over my shoulders. “You didn’t have to do that.” But I was glad he did.
“Sawyer blood boils. We run hot. Always have.”
I laughed. A real laugh that felt freeing after today’s tension of travel and a bananas family competition. And who was I kidding, tension that had built for weeks. Months. Even longer. “Why do we constantly self-identify as our family names? I started referring to myself as a Holly the second I got back.”
“I’m used to it. I answer to Sawyer same as Ethan.”
I knew this and yet I had to hear it again to remember.
I didn’t know how to do this anymore. Talk to people who’d known the Crystal Cove version of me but knew nothing of who I’d become. Especially, of all people, Ethan, who I’d known for so long. I supposed if I was really aiming to win the family house, I better get good at remembering the Crystal Cove version of me.
“So, Ethan. Growing up, you were pretty into the Holly Days fest. Are you still?”
“Yeah, absolutely. Every year I’m there.” His whole demeanor shifted, now more relaxed. “We use Holly Days to advertise the tree farm and the Christmas tree lot.”
“Your family still runs the tree lot?” Perfect.
“Yeah, I work at the farm full time. My brother part-time.”
Perfect on top of perfect. “I wasn’t sure if you were only in town for Thanksgiving.”
His cheeks reddened. “Nope. Not all of us have big dreams like you.”
Big dreams ending in…whatever state I was in now. “I’m a bit out-of-the-loop on the whole Holly Days thing. If I want to be competitive, I’ll need help.”
He nodded, waiting. Watching.
Right. I needed to actually ask. Ask him for help. Why was this so hard? “So, um. Could you maybe refresh me on the whole holiday festivities thing? Give me some pointers?”
His smile appeared eager. “Whatever you need, I’m your guy.” He breathed easily, not seeming cold in the slightest. “I’m surprised you want the house, is all. I’m surprised to even see you here. Especially since the holidays are, well, not your favorite.”
