Page 60 of Single Mom's Christmas Wish

I watch him take the ginger ales back to Reed and Maddox, stealing a glance at each of them before resuming my bar setup. My thoughts keep me busy while my hands move automatically. It’s a process I’ve done so many times I could do it with my eyes closed.

Once in a while, I hear Maisie’s laughter and look up. She and Trevor seem to be getting along better. I’m not sure what happened, but he seems to enjoy making her laugh. I even see a smile teasing his lips whenever she doubles over.

The sound of heels clicking across the basketball court makes me perk up to see who’s coming. For a moment, I hold my breath as I recognize Callie. She’s smiling and dressed completely out of sync with the rest of the sports hall. She’s wearing a tight black-and-white dress and luscious red stilettos that match her lipstick, further amplified in effect by her fiery hair, pulled back into a tight bun.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, slightly confused.

Callie stares at me for a moment, then remembers to smile. “I’m actually here for the charity event.”

“You are?”

“The Monroe Foundation is co-organizing this fundraiser,” she says, matter-of-factly, as if I should’ve known that already. I didn’t. And I have mixed feelings about it. “Is that a problem?”

“Of course not. They’re raising money for the new daycare extension. If you can help them out in that endeavor, it’ll make life easier for a lot of the moms in this neighborhood.”

“Including you, right?”

I nod once, briefly looking around. Just as I expected, her gaze goes immediately to the Faulkner brothers.

Her eyes light up and my stomach churns tightly.

“The event doesn’t start for a few more hours, though,” I say, drawing her focus away from my men. The pang of jealousy tests my resolve, but I refuse to cave in. I keep my chin up and a half-smile on my lips, not wanting to show even the slightest sign of weakness. Callie may have apologized, and we have talked about a few more things since the hospital, but I can’t say that I completely trust her. It’s way too soon, and I’ve got too much to lose to take a chance. “Why don’t you come back later?”

“Nonsense, I’d love to help. What can I do around here, other than sign a check for tonight’s donation box?” she says, giggling.

Well, that’s one way to make herself welcome and indispensable in this place. I can’t exactly turn her away, either. “There are still a few things that need to be organized. Find Cole, the guy in the burgundy shirt who’s running around like a headless chicken. He’s the one who can help guide you in the right direction.”

“Ah, no need. I see your future hubby over there. He can tell me where to go.”

“Wait—”

Too late.

She’s already waltzed off, her hips swaying intently as she makes her way toward Archer, Reed, and Maddox. I’m stuck behind the bar, growing increasingly anxious as I’m forced to watch the exchange from afar. I’ve never experienced jealousy like this before, and part of me is aware that I have no reason to be jealous in the first place. The Faulkner brothers want me. They make consistent efforts to be with me, even if that means giving me a few days’ worth of space when I need it.

Yet I absolutely hate watching what’s happening now as Callie reaches my lovers and starts chatting them up. Slowly, I glance over to Maisie, content and focused, tying up pom-poms while Tyler keeps cutting ribbons. But it’s the glare in Chelsea’s blue eyes that sends shivers down my spine. She isn’t buying Callie’s redemption act. I don’t want to say that she’s right, yet I can’t say she’s wrong, either.

I can only pay attention.

22

Archer

Idon’t like Callie.

I don’t trust her. Neither does Maddox. Reed errs on the side of caution, keeping things civil and friendly.

Callie and Dakota got off on the wrong foot more than once, and I’m not buying that hospital apology shtick.

“What the hell is she doing here?” Maddox hisses as Callie approaches us with seductive movements, like a panther on the prowl. Reed gives her a small smile and a wave. “We’re not dealing with this shrew,” he says to my brother and me as he turns away from her with a disgusted look on his face.

“We have to be nice,” Reed mutters but keeps his smile on and his eyes affixed to Callie. “Haven’t you ever heard the expression you catch more flies with honey than vinegar?”

“I’m not trying to catch anything where that woman is concerned. She’s up to something,” I grumble.

“We don’t know that for sure,” Reed shoots back.

“She’s just trying to get her paws on Dakota’s inheritance,” I insist, prompting a whispered “Amen” from Maddox as he turns away and climbs up the ladder, choosing to ignore Callie altogether.

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