Page 39 of Merry Kissmas

“I’m Kacey,” she says, putting out her hand.

I shake it and return mine to my glass.

“Kacey is here with her family, but none of them are big skiers.”Carter raises his eyebrows.

“Yeah.I was so happy when I found Faith and Carter.”She smiles and raises her hand at the waitress who’s just walking past after helping another table.“Excuse me.”

The waitress looks at me.She wasn’t all that friendly taking my order, so this should really make her day.“I thought you were alone,” she deadpans, her gaze solely on me.

“They just joined.”I shrug.

Her eyes scour the area.“You’ll have to give me about five.”She goes to walk away, but Kacey grabs her wrist.

“No boundaries,” Carter mumbles.

The waitress strips her hand out of Kacey’s hold.“Excuse me?”

“I just need a water.I’m so dehydrated,” she whines.

Carter grunts, staring at Faith with annoyance.I’m with him on this.

I reach behind me to grab my wallet, so I can pay and get out of here, when Carter raises his hand.“Brynn!”

I stop reaching for my wallet, but Kacey takes that opportunity to grab my hand.This woman has no idea about personal space.

Carter’s hand lowers, and his smile widens for his sister.

“I was supposed to meet Mom and Dad here.”Her eyes fall to Kacey’s hand on mine.

“Oh, hi,” she says, shaking her head and concentrating on Carter.

I slide my hand out from under Kacey’s.

“Who are you?”Kacey asks.

Carter laughs and crosses his arms as though he’s ready for the show to begin.

“Who are you?”Brynn asks, arching a brow.

“I’m Kacey.”

Brynn glances at me then back at Kacey.“I’m Brynn.”

“Hi, Brynn.Am I missing something?”Kacey looks at Faith.“Is that his girl?”

“Why don’t you ask me?”Brynn crosses her arms, and this is the first time I see the brother/sister resemblance between her and Carter.

“You’re not British.”

Brynn looks at me.I hold up my hands, wanting to see this play out because I think there might be jealousy running through Brynn’s veins, and I like it.A lot.Though she’s got nothing to worry about.

Brynn juts out her hip and glares at Kacey.“I don’t have to be British for him to be mine, but to be clear, he’s not.So, go ahead, Kacey, take your best shot.”She turns to Carter, but I swing my arm around Brynn’s waist and tug her onto my lap.

I am not going to let this Kacey think she has a chance with me.

“She’s just joking, I’m hers, and she’s mine.”

“Ohhh…” Faith says and playfully slaps Carter’s arm.

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