Page 123 of Holiday Hire

She teases, "I don't think Sebastian's ego will ever recover."

I put my hand over my face, my cheeks heating. I mumble, "I don't even want to know."

Laughter fills the air.

"Don't worry. Paisley's hungover too," Ruby says.

Paisley's complexion is pale. Her cheek rests on her forearm as she slumps over the table. She mutters, "Don't talk to me about it."

"Aw, you'll be okay," Ruby says, patting her shoulder.

She winces. "Mom, bruise!"

"Oh. Sorry. Guess it'll teach you not to pull tarps out in the snow."

I ask, "You got hurt?"

"Just a little bruise."

Evelyn snorts. "Little, meaning her entire arm and part of her back."

"It's fine," Paisley says and shuts her eyes.

Willow interjects, "I'd trade you the bruise for the date Cyril took me on last night."

Georgia catches my eye, biting her smile.

I ask, "Why?"

Willow wrinkles her nose. "You'd think a man who can handle a bull would know how to take charge on a date."

"Oh?" I question.

"Maybe you should give him another chance. He might have been shy," Ruby states.

Georgia snickers.

"I thought he was nice," I offer. He came over before things got fuzzy for me. I add, "I didn't realize there were any issues."

"He doesn't like bars, so we came home early on the biggest bar night of the year," Willow complains.

"And this is a bad thing?" Ruby asks.

Willow scoffs. "Duh." She picks up a carrot and points it at me, stating, "Phoebe, this is a lesson in why you don't want to bethe first person to date a bull rider when he first gets to town. You don't know what their issues are. If you let a couple of other women date them first, you'll find out their quirks and save yourself time and energy. So don't be stupid like me. Last night, I got to discover all of his issues." She rolls her eyes.

Georgia prods, "What were his issues?"

"Not over his ex-girlfriend."

"Ooh, that sucks," Georgia sympathizes.

"Doesn't like crowds."

"Not the one to take you out on the night before Thanksgiving," Paisley offers, then rises. "I need a glass of wine to help counter the effects of last night. Anyone else want one?"

I consider it, but I can't stomach it, so I decline.

Willow picks up a celery stalk and then runs it under the water to wash it. "I couldn't get him to leave fast enough. I was glad the rest of you were here so I didn't completely waste my night."

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