Beyond the Mistletoe: A Christmas Romance (Beyond Love Book 7) (5 page)

“Indeed. But I still can’t quite picture what took place to create a chiwoodle.”

“And you know…” My voice trailed off in a whisper.

Derek’s brow arched, and he leaned into the table, waiting for me to finish.

“I think it’s best if you stop trying to imagine the deed.” I winked, and his laughter filled the air, and I swear I wanted to bottle it up.

I had no idea what was coming over me. I never ever felt this for my ex-husband.

Maybe that was one of the many problems.

The server came over to take Derek’s order, and I placed another order as well. The happiness circulating around the table was infectious, and I felt completely at home with this group.

“So in other news, we’ve got a fun schedule planned for the weekend, some of which can include Bodie. We know he’s the main squeeze in your life,” Brandy said.

“Hopefully not for long,” Lily whispered, just loud enough for everyone to hear as both Derek and Eric looked over at me and smiled.

I stepped on her toe, and she squirmed only slightly. I needed better aim.

“Tomorrow, depending on the storm, we’ll be doing a sleigh ride around some of the trails, and we’ll end the night with a murder mystery dinner show and drinks in the lodge after. The following day, we’ve got a treasure hunt planned that includes contests on the way for best s’mores, hot chocolate creations, ornament decorating, and a few other surprises.”

“Is there a prize?” Brandy asked.

“Lots of them,” Gabby assured her.

“And to top it off, we’ll be dividing into three teams for a chili cook-off, judged by the chef here at the hotel,” Jason added. “And you better make it good since that will also be our dinner.”

It sounded like a blast.

Lily and Ayden began devising a plan about the chili recipe to use, and I noticed Derek studying me.

“What?” I asked, pretending he had absolutely no effect over me.

“So you don’t remember me, do you?” Derek asked, resting his arm on the table as he moved closer.

I narrowed my eyes at him and shook my head. “I feel like I should know you, but I’m not sure.”

Derek placed both hands over his heart and winced. “I’m crushed. Completely crushed that I’m that forgettable.” His lip curled slightly and my stomach did a dip. No man had ever made me feel like I was on a Ferris wheel before. And he made me feel like not only was I on one, but I was about to fly off the bench.

And then it hit me. Lily and all of us had crashed Ayden’s bachelor party, and he’d been there. We’d been briefly introduced, but I’d just had an online dating fiasco and had my blinders on.

“Aren’t you Ayden’s trainer?” I asked.

“Was Ayden’s trainer. He doesn’t fight anymore. Isn’t that right?” Derek raised his beer toward Ayden.

“Not a chance in hell I’d step in another ring and risk this.” Ayden planted a kiss on Lily’s cheek, and Brandy and Gabby moaned a hum of happiness.

“Well, it’s nice to see you again,” he said. His eyes connecting with mine.

Lily stepped on my toe this time, but I didn’t flinch and didn’t respond.

Derek picked up his beer and raised his glass. “To Bodie.”

I flicked my gaze from Eric to Derek and my cheeks warmed, realizing they were both waiting for me to say something. This was going to be an interesting weekend.

“To Bodie,” I repeated, as we raised our glasses in honor of the sleeping chiwoodle upstairs.

Chapter Five

I peered out the window of the hotel lobby and watched the snowflakes gently swirl midair as the light breeze carried them along. Soon, we’d be out braving the weather sitting in a sleigh, feeling the ice crystals pelting any exposed skin. But it was better than allowing myself to stay in my self-contained bubble.

Maybe.

Instead of picking and choosing how festive I wanted to be this year, I found myself thrown into an unbalanced storm mixing equal parts of wedding, holidays, and men. Three items I’d tried to stay a safe distance from over the past six years, and now each of the categories came at me from all sides. I held in a shiver and tamped down my sudden desire to be with Bodie, a book, and my favorite fleece throw draped over us both.

I heard giggling behind me and turned to see Gabby, Brandy, and Lily walking up to greet me. Lily was bundled in a white goose down jacket with grey faux-fur trimming the hood, grey leggings, and an aqua sweater sticking out from underneath her jacket. Gabby wore an ankle-length goose down coat that looked more like a bathrobe than anything, since I couldn’t see what she was wearing underneath, and Brandy had on a blue flannel shirt, jeans, and a black unzipped jacket.

Gabby was holding four Christmas gift bags, and I wondered what she had up her sleeve this time.

“Okay, girls. I want you to open up your first gift of the weekend. I want to say thank you to each and every one of you for putting up with me while I planned this wedding. Or more to the point, while Carla planned my wedding and drove me crazy,” Gabby said with a coy smile.

Carla was Gabby’s stepmom, and she was a fabulous event planner. Carla loved nothing more than finding reasons to throw a party, and something told me this event wouldn’t just be a party it would verge on a gala.

Gabby handed each of us a bag and set the fourth one on the floor next to the overly plump leather chair she sat down in. Her smile was infectious as she motioned for us each to take a seat.

“It’s nothing big, but I couldn’t resist. Emily, thank you for taking over so much at the bakery recently. You’re always willing to chip in, and I know I don’t even need to be in the same country to have things run smoothly. Not to mention you’re one of the most levelheaded friends I have.”

“Hey, I resent that,” Brandy chided, grinning.

“You’re very levelheaded,” Gabby assured Brandy. “But a little biased sometimes. I wouldn’t change a thing. I love your determination and your ability to make me realize what fun life can be. And, Lily, you’re such a loyal friend, and someone who I never thought would become a love-pusher.”

“Gabby, we’re blessed to be your friends,” Lily said. Her voice caught and she made a funny noise in her throat. “These pregnancy hormones are rough.”

“If you say so,” Brandy teased. “I think you’re just finally finding your human side.”

Lily rolled her eyes, and I took a seat, peeking inside the emerald-green gift bag with bright red tissue poking out the top.

“Who goes first?” Brandy asked, already digging into the tissue paper.

“Well, by the looks of things, I’d say you,” Lily laughed.

The red tissue paper fell to the floor as Brandy pulled out a red and white striped knit cap, gloves, and never-ending scarf.

“Oh, my gosh! It’s the cutest ever.” Brandy pulled the hat over her head to her ears and batted her lashes while Lily dug in next.

“They’re all the same.” Gabby informed us, pulling the same items out of her inside coat pockets. How she fit the scarf in there I had no idea, but it spoke to the size of the coat. “I thought we could all wear them today for pictures.”

I quickly dug through the tissue paper and pulled out the softest pair of gloves I’d ever touched.

“These are amazing,” I said, tugging the hat out next. “The yarn is like touching a cloud.”

“I couldn’t resist. I thought at least parts of us needed to look like a candy cane.”

“That we will,” Lily agreed. “But sexy candy canes.”

“Did someone say sexy?” Jason asked, walking up behind Gabby. He was dressed in a bulky green sweater and worn jeans. He held a black knit cap in one hand and his jacket in the other.

“I was just telling the girls how happy I was to marry the most sexy man in the universe,” Gabby fibbed. “Wasn’t that right?”

We all nodded in agreement, and Jason beamed.

“It’s nice to know my status has upgraded from world to universe.” He bent down and gave Gabby a kiss on the cheek, and I swear I could feel the sparks between them from several feet away. “I see a couple of the guys already in the bar. I’ll go round them up.”

“Thank you,” Gabby said, her hand lingering on his hip before he walked away.

“He is so in love with you,” I said, smiling as Gabby watched him enter the bar.

“I’m one lucky girl.” She turned her attention back to us. “I’ve got one more set for Tori, but I haven’t seen her yet.”

“They’re here. Ayden said the hotel let them check in early this morning, and Tori took a shower and fell asleep. He woke her up a few minutes ago. Tori had chaperoned a school field trip yesterday that went a little awry and she was exhausted. She couldn’t fall asleep until after two last night and then they woke up at six to get here.”

Ayden and Mason were twin brothers, and Tori was Mason’s new girlfriend and a complete sweetheart.

“Phew. I was worried they might not make it up here.” Gabby genuinely looked relieved and sank into the chair.

“So what do you think about the selection?” Lily turned her attention to me and wriggled her eyebrows.

“Selection?” I glanced down at my scarf set. “It’s very generous, and I love the pattern. I couldn’t have picked out a better holiday set myself.”

Gabby chuckled and Brandy shook her head.

“Of men,” Lily said, completely exasperated. “
Of men
.”

“What do you mean of men?” I eyed her suspiciously. “I thought it was only Eric I was supposed to notice.”

“Was it only Eric you noticed?” Lily asked, pressing her usually plump lips together into a thin line. I felt like a contestant at the National Spelling Bee or something as all three pairs of eyes waited for my answer.

I blushed as my mind flashed back to Derek. The mere thought of him made my body tingle, and that had never happened in the several decades I’d lived on this planet. In fact, I was certain when I saw him today, I’d find out it was all in my head, strategically placed by champagne and hard cider. Grown women weren’t supposed to get flutters and electrical currents traveling through their bodies, unless there was a pacemaker installed.

“Earth to Emily,” Lily chuckled. “I think you just answered my question.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I glanced around the lodge and noticed the large antler chandelier dangling over us. I wondered if they were real. I wondered anything to stay away from the conversation.

“I thought with the particular drought we’re dealing with, it was only fair to bring two,” Lily whispered, touching my knee gently.

“Drought?” I coughed, catching Derek out of the corner of my eye. In the bar, he slapped Eric’s back as they both laughed heartily, and I wondered if it was me they were laughing about. “I’m not in a drought.”

“Self-imposed drought,” Gabby assured me, nodding.

I couldn’t help but laugh. I knew they had good intentions, but I always found it striking that when single friends found their soul mate, they felt it was their duty to find you yours, and Lily seemed to be the worst of them all in her pursuit.

“So…” Lily glanced quickly between Gabby and Brandy before her eyes settled on me. “Did I do okay for a weekend of fun?” Lily couldn’t keep the smile off her face.

“You obviously have fantastic taste in men. All of you do.” I looked at each of them. “But I’m not really in the right mind-set to start a relationship. And we’re here to celebrate Gabby and Jason, not find me someone to date.”

“This weekend is going to be all about fun,” Gabby reminded me. “It’s not like you ever have to see them again, and it does kind of provide a bit of entertainment for me. I’m not going to lie. But just remember. F.U.N. That’s all we’re talking.”

“I’m not sure I can really do that kind of fun. I thought I could, but it’s just not in me. Second of all, while both are super attractive, I can’t just chew them up and spit them out. They’re not meat.”

“Who’s not meat?” Derek’s voice surprised me from behind, and my cheeks flamed red.

Gabby’s grin grew wider, and I let out a deep sigh and owned it once I realized none of my friends were going to save me.

“You and Eric. You’re not meat,” I said, not turning to see Derek’s reaction. Rather, I tilted my head toward the vaulted ceiling and stared intently at the chandelier. It was turning into a great distraction.

Not missing a beat, Derek knelt down next to my chair and stared just as intently at the ceiling. His arrogance should have turned me off, but instead it steadily built a fire in my belly.

“Seems to be recreated antler, if that’s what you’re wondering,” he said, resting his elbow on his knee. “Fascinating.”

His close proximity did little to diminish my hopes that the hard cider and champagne were responsible for my erratic feelings for this man. I swore the air between us was charged, but I knew that wasn’t possible.

“Quite,” I agreed, feeling all eyes on me, including Derek’s.

“You know, Eric and I have a wager going.”

My heart stopped, my jaw dropped, and my eyes fell to his. I couldn’t have heard him correctly.

“Pardon?”

His eyes seared a heat into me that literally took my breath away. I watched my friends stand up and leave me.

Alone.

With a man who finally took my breath away.