Page 74 of The Mistletoe Makeover

“No,” I warn. “My brothers areoff-limits.”

“Your brothers won’t stay single forever.”

“As long as they’re living with my mom, they will.”

“Did you know they’re planning on moving out soon and almost have the money saved?”

“They do?” I always thought that as long as they were hockey players, my brothers would live at home, struggling for money. Like me.

“Why are you so opposed to them dating?” Ella asks.

I pick up another Christmas bulb and hang it on the tree. “As long as it’s not my friends, I’m totally okay with it.”

“Do you hold the same rule for your own dating life?” Jaz asks.

“You mean dating friends?” I glance away. “Depends on who it is.”

“Do you know a guy named Cal?” Jaz asks.

My head snaps up. “Wait... Cal Perkins?”

She nods.

“He’s not a friend,” I say, shaking my head. “More like my childhood nemesis. Cal once poured his school milk on me to get my attention. That was the beginning of his many failed attempts to flirt with me. He even tried to trick me into kissing him under the mistletoe once.”

“I’m guessing you successfully evaded him?” Ella asks.

“The twins nailed him with snowballs so I could run away. One good thing about brothers... they’re always going to have your back.”

“Well, rumor has it he’s going to bid on you,” Jaz says.

I stare at her. “He’s the last person I’d like to win that auction.”

“Is there anyone else you’d like to win?”

“No,” I say, immediately thinking of Jace. But Jace can’t bid on his own ticket. He’s not even attending the auction because of a meeting with the record company.

Jaz looks at me, like she’s reading my thoughts. “What about Jace?”

“What about him?” I say, ignoring their pointed looks.

“He offered you a room at his house,” Jaz says. “And I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He’s pretty closed off with everyone but you.”

“That’s because I’m helping him with his concert. He has to be nice to me. And he gives Allan a room when he’s in town. It’s not like we’re alone all the time.”

“But he wants to be seen together around town.” Ella finishes hanging a bulb and looks at me. “That doesn’t sound like a guy who’s just being nice. It sounds like a guy who actually wants to spend time with you.”

I shake my head. “I’m probably his Christmas charity case.”

Ella sits on the ladder. “If you were his charity case, he would hand you a check, not let you live with him. I mean, he even makes you coffee in the morning. That’snota random act of kindness.”

“He knows I like coffee,” I insist. “And he drinks it, too.” At least, I assume he does. But now that I think about it, I haven’t seen him with a cup of coffee.

“He has millions of fans,” Jaz says, leaning against the ladder. “But he wants to be seen around town withyou, not some model.”

“It’s a PR stunt to improve his reputation. If he cared, why would he arrange for me to be part of the auction? He wants me to go out with someone else.”

Ella frowns. “Did you ever think that he wants you at his concert?”

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