Page 64 of A Very Merry Mistake

“Call you? I don’t have your number.” Claire picks up her phone. She unlocks it and raises her brows. “I’ll text you.”

I read off my number to her, and a few seconds later, my phone buzzes. I unlock it to add her contact, and when I see she sent me a picture of herself, my mouth falls open. “Fuck, you’re gorgeous.”

She’s standing in what I assume is her bedroom, wearing a tiny white T-shirt and a pair of panties. Her hair is messy, and she’s smiling in the long, full-length mirror.

Her lips turn up into a grin. “When you miss me today, open your phone, and I’ll be there.”

“Hell yeah.” I finish my coffee, then as I pass her, I stop to steal a kiss.

“What was that for?” She bites her bottom lip.

“You looked like you could use one. But now I gotta go.” I boop her on her nose. “Try not to give Tinsel too many treats today.”

“We’ll see,” she says as I move to the door to slip on my boots. Then I tell her goodbye and leave.

There’s a permanent smile on my face as I drive the short distance to the Christmas tree farm. The road to the farm is full of cars parked on the side. I should’ve known we’d be overwhelmed with customers today, considering we were shut down for a week. Now, people are scrambling.

I pull up to the large barn and park the old truck on the side, then walk a short distance to the staging area. Holiday music plays overhead as I make my way through the crowd to find my older brother Hudson, who’s passing out assignments to all of the employees.

“You’re late,” he says.

“No, I’m not,” I tell him, pulling my phone out of my pocket and showing him the time. “Loosen up.”

Ever since his wife left him and his son, he’s been a Scrooge. The holidays bring out the worst in him. And while I know it’s because he’s lonely, I also don’t let him act like a dick just because. He hands me my duties for the day; it looks like I’ll be restocking the pre-cuts, which I’m happy about. Time always passes by quickly when I’m out in the field.

When I walk away, he says my name, drawing my attention back.

“What’s up?” I ask, shoving my gloved hands into my pockets. The temperatures aren’t below freezing, but the upper thirties aren’t exactly warm, either.

“Mom and Dad told me you had a girlfriend. Is that true?”

I snort. “No. Long story short, a woman is currently stayin’ at my house.”

“What?” He lifts a brow.

“It’s a story for another day,” I explain, noticing many people walking up to the pay station. Hudson sees everyone, too, but ignores them.

“I’ve got time.”

“She was walkin’ into Merryville, and I picked her up.” Then I explain what happened at the inn and then the storm.

He’s giving me the same expression that Hank did.

“It’s going to be fine. I’m still alive, aren’t I?”

He’s not convinced. “I dunno, Jake, are ya?”

“She’s incredible. Honestly. You’d love Claire. You’re both kinda grumpy and serious.”

His eyes are wide as saucers. “You like her.”

“What? What makes you say that?”

“The way your demeanor changed when you mentioned her. It’s obvious.”

I shake my head. “It’s not like that.”

“Who are you tryin’ to convince?” He stares me down.

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