Page 34 of Just One Kiss

"Just friends?"

She felt her cheeks warm at the question, and it didn't help to see Keira giving her a knowing smile. "I really don't want to talk about it," she said.

"Tough, Hannah. I was in high school when Jake cheated on you. I was there to pick up the pieces of that heartbreak, and I have watched you snub the man every chance you've gotten since you both moved back here. But it's happening again, isn't it? You're starting to like him."

"Well, you like him," she said defensively. "You and Gianna and Chloe have always been after me to make peace with him, so that it's not awkward when we're together. You should be happy."

"I am happy—if you're happy."

"I don't know what I am, honestly. And I have bigger problems than Jake at the moment. I don't know where my sister is, Keira. I don't know when she's coming back or if she's coming back."

Keira frowned. "I'm sorry. I didn't know that."

"I haven't heard from Kelly in fifteen years. Now, she leaves her child for me to watch, a boy I didn't know existed."

"He's very sweet."

"I know. I love him already, which makes it even harder. I need Kelly to come back, but she's clearly in some sort of trouble."

"Have you talked to Brodie or Adam?"

"I spoke to Adam. He's looking for her."

"Then you don't have to worry. Adam will find her. He'll help you figure this out. In the meantime, we'll all be here for you. And I'm thinking I might be able to include Jake in that promise since he's already playing Santa Claus for you."

"He's doing it for the kids."

Keira laughed and rolled her eyes. "Not a chance. He's doing it for you." She paused. "What's he going to get in return?"

"A date. That's right, I had to agree to a date to get him to play Santa Claus."

"Well, that should be fun."

"Will it be fun? Or will I be opening a door that should stay locked?"

"It doesn't have to be that dramatic."

"It doesn't have to be," she agreed. "But somehow I think it will be. Because that man…he gets under my skin, Keira. I should hate him. And I do hate him. But I also kind of like him. Oh," she groaned. "Why does he have to be nice now? Why does he have to be so damn good-looking? Why couldn't he have gained a hundred pounds or lost his hair or broken his gorgeous face?"

Keira laughed. "Because then it would be too easy. Frankly, I think it's good you have to deal with him. Ever since he came back, you've barely dated anyone. Everyone is so boring to you. Jake is not boring, and maybe you have unfinished business."

"I'm not sure I want to finish it."

"Well, one way or another, I think you're going to have to."

Chapter Nine

Jake had morefun than he would have thought playing Santa Claus, and he had to admit he was happy to see the annoyance on his dad's face when he finally showed up and realized who had taken over his role. He took a break to remove the costume while his dad went to talk to Hannah. When he was back in his street clothes, he left Santa's house and the costume inside and walked over to the toy booth. His father, who had been hovering nearby, gave him a brief nod, which he returned, and then his dad went to change.

Brett was playing in the back of the booth with a sleepy golden retriever, who belonged to one of the other elves, while Hannah and Keira were spreading holiday cheer with their goodie bags.

"Can I help?" he asked.

"You've done enough," Hannah told him quickly. "Thank you for playing Santa."

"It wasn't bad. I made some mental notes on some of the Christmas wishes. I jotted them down on a piece of paper that I left in Santa's house. Some of the kids were vague, but there were a few who were very specific. I'm not sure what you can do with them."

"We'll share the wishes with the parents."

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