Page 102 of 12 Days of Mistletoe

“And you are?” Wayne asks.

I clear my throat. I’mpretend. So, do I have to use my real name? I grind my teeth, remembering my manners. I am May’s guest, after all. “I’m Bonnie.”

“Bonnie…” he hums out, waiting for my last name. Which I just don’t feel like giving. Nope, I draw the line at the real first name. At least with men like Wayne Lloyd. Do I know what kind of man that is? I do not—but I get the feeling I don’t want to know.

“And this is Noel.” I peer down at my dog, thankful Noel is taller than most mini doodles, and Wayne hops to his left.

“Oh!” He laughs. “I didn’t see her there. Wow. She’s beautiful. And quiet.”

Okay. Maybe Wayne isn’t terrible. Noelisa beautiful dog. I reach down and pat my favorite girl on the head. Anyone who sees Noel and smiles can’t be all bad. Right?

“She’s a sweetheart.” While May said it wasn’t necessary and that she only needed her floral collar and mistletoe on, I still chose to put her in her service animal vest. Just in case any guests had issues. And of course, nothing gets past Wayne.

“She’s a service animal,” Wayne says. “Is she yours?”

“She is.”

“That’s nice.” He grins at me, not even seeming to think twice about Noel’s title as my service dog. Okay, I might need to give Wayne’s first impression a second chance. “I’ve never seen you at an Elliot party before.”

“That’s because I’ve never been,” I say, eyes on the prize. Cucumber sandwiches are officially in reach, and my stomach decides to growl with joy. I pile four little sandwiches onto a china plate and take one crazy delicious bite. Have cucumber sandwiches always been this good?

“That explains a lot.” Wayne laughs and I peer up from my plate.

Noel whines at my feet, one small little whine. I brush her head with my hand and swallow. “Explains what?” I ask before taking another bite.

“Why we’ve never met.” Wayne picks up his own plate, eyeing my sandwiches. “My father works with Elliot’s. I’ve been coming to these parties my whole life. I would have remembered you, and I wouldn’t have let the opportunity to meet you slip by.”

“Interesting,” I say, though the only thing I’m really interested in is knowing if I need to take three more slices of cucumber heaven before Wayne fills his plate.

“Uh, hey. Hi.” Elliot comes up behind me, a hand on my back, peering at me before turning his glare on the man beside me. “Wayne,” he says, and sure his tone is off, but has he tasted these sandwiches? Did he know they’d be this good?

“E.J.” Wayne raises his brows.

I’ve never heard anyone else call Elliot that. I stuff another sandwich into my mouth and lift my head in interest.

“Are you guys friends?” I say around cucumber, white bread, and cream cheese.

Elliot takes one of the sandwiches from my plate, but he doesn’t eat it. I’ve finished two and I’m on to number three—thankfully there’s more on the platter or I would have to steal that one back from Elliot.

“Nope,” Elliot says. “Not friends.”

Wayne huffs. “We went to different schools. And played against each other in football. How many times did my teambeat yours, E.J.? Oh, yeah.Everytime.” Wayne chuckles, showing most of his teeth—it isn’t pretty.

“Sounds right,” Elliot says, giving the man a callous grin.

“This is Bonnie,” Wayne tells him, and I’d laugh except that my mouth is currently full of the best thing I’ve ever eaten. Noel nudges my calf with her head and I reach down to pet her again.

“I know who she is,” Elliot says, a bite in his voice. “I brought her.”

“You?” Wayne sounds as if he might laugh.

“Yes.Me.” Elliot’s jaw clenches.

“And you’re her…”

I peer at Elliot. Are we pretending for more than just the family? What does Elliot want this man to know? I’m not sure. When Elliot doesn’t answer, I offer, “Uh, we’re friends.” Friends who occasionally kiss—is that a thing? It feels like a weird fact to add, so I don’t mention the kissing.

Which only makes Wayne smile again, wide and unforgiving. It makes me wish Ihadmentioned the kissing. “Nice,” he says. “So, Bonnie, do you have New Year’s plans?”

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