Page 25 of Hers for the Weekend

The sound of the car pulling up to the front door of the inn brought Noelle out to investigate, and Tara saw her start a bit as she realized who they were.

Climbing out from the driver’s side, Tara brushed herself off and extended a hand. “Noelle, thank you so much for inviting me. I appreciate that I might not be the top of your list for people you want at your wedding.”

Noelle quirked a lip up, and Tara had to hand it to Miriam—the woman was smoking hot. With a high pompadour with shaved sides, suspenders over a flannel shirt, beat-up work boots, she was a fat dapper butch dreamboat, and Tara could give credit where credit was due.

“I’m grateful you were willing to come. It means a lot to Miri, and let’s face it, you didn’t do anything wrong at any point in the proceedings.”

Tara made a so-so gesture with the hand she still had extended. “I was kind of a bitch.”

“Hell, I was kind of a bitch. That’s Miri’s type!” Noelle pointed out, and wrapped Tara up in a bear hug.

Oh God. She had not expected this. She didn’t have a script ready. What she ended up saying was “You smell good.”

Noelle laughed down to her gut. “You too. Magnolias?”

“You can take a girl out of Charleston…” Tara said. She heard a throat clear behind her. “Oh, gosh! Let me introduce you to my girlfriend, Holly.”

The word girlfriend rolled around in her mouth, unfamiliar but delicious, like the first time you tried something that you didn’t expect to love. This was it. It was time for them to put on their act.

Holly was coming forward to shake hands with Noelle when a giant flash hurtled toward them, blond hair reflecting the lights of the Christmas trees like a halo. Tara didn’t even try to brace herself, because she knew what was coming, and she’d learned long ago that there was no stopping him. She was hoisted into the air, the summer they’d spent practicing ice-skating jumps and the lift from Dirty Dancing rushing back, her muscle memory taking over. She extended her arms as she was spun in dizzy circles, Cole whooping the whole time.

“You’re heeeeeeeere!!!!!” he shouted, finally letting her down into his arms, but not far enough down that her feet touched the ground. He carried her back over to Noelle and Holly like a kid with their favorite stuffy.

“Tara’s here,” he said to Noelle, and she could hear the smile in his voice.

“I noticed,” Noelle deadpanned. “Holly’s here, too.”

“Don’t pick me up,” Holly warned him. “I will puke hot Cheetos and Diet Mountain Dew all over you.”

“Might be worth it,” Cole ventured.

Tara coughed. “Nicholas. Jedediah. Fraser. The third. I require oxygen.”

Cole made a pfft sound like he didn’t believe this, but he released her from his bear hug, spinning her around so she could rest her back against his chest, wrapping his arms around her neck and resting his head on hers.

“Can I take your luggage?” Noelle asked. “Since Fraser here seems unlikely to let go of you long enough to do it?”

“I’ll help!” Holly offered. To Tara, she said, “Obviously doesn’t like you. Hi, Cole!” She waved, as she followed Noelle inside.

“Hi, Holly! Great to see you! Did you bring coconut cake? Who doesn’t like you?!” Cole demanded of Tara. “I’ll beat them up!” He paused. “Well, I won’t beat them up, but I’ll empty their bank account!”

She sighed in pretend frustration at his general too-muchness, but she breathed more deeply when he was around. Resting her head back against his chest, she told him, “You know the rules, no hacking for personal gain or petty vengeance.”

“Bo-ring,” Cole singsonged. He spun her around, his hands on her shoulders. “Okay, now that they’re gone, how’s it going? With the fake dating scheme? Tell me everything. Are you using it as a ruse to get into her pants? I feel like you could just ask. Have you kissed? I know these kinds of hijinks are not usually your scene, so if you need anything at all, I’m here to help.”

She put her hands on his face. “I’m not telling you anything until you tell me what’s going on with you and the hot bartender mayor,” she said seriously.

A blush rose up Cole’s neck, all the way up his face and down his bare chest.

Wait.

“Cole, why aren’t you wearing a shirt? Or socks? Boat shoes are not appropriate for this weather!”

He shrugged happily, smiling his lopsided smile that was meant to make people forget whatever trouble he was up to. “You cannot deflect from this conversation about your fake dating.”

This last part was nearly yelled.

“Fraser, I can deflect from any conversation. Don’t underestimate me. And keep your voice down! This won’t work if you announce it to the whole Adirondacks!”

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