Page 13 of Just Add Mistletoe

Lori puffed out a breath. “In those cases, I tell them I’m already in a relationship. They just don’t have to know that it’s with myself.”

“Ouch.” Malcom brought a hand to his chest. “I’m glad you don’t tell those poor men that you’d rather be alone than with them.”

“Alone is a relative term,” she said. “Am I really alone? Not exactly. I mean, I’m alone in my bed at night, but that’s for sleeping anyway. Otherwise, I’m always with someone. I wouldn’t consider myself lonely, if you know what I mean.”

“I do.” Malcom had never had such a varied and interesting conversation in all his life. He was really glad Brandy and Ian had ditched them. He really should go though, or he’d find himself talking to her for another hour. “See you tomorrow, Lori. Maybe.”

She laughed, and as he headed down the stairs, he heard the door click softly behind him.

THE DAY HAD BEEN WONDERFUL—fun and restful—and the only annoying thing was that Brandy had told all their friends Malcom Graves was making eyes at Lori the night before. Which wasn’t true at all. Lori had thought he was definitely solicitous and attentive—but she chalked that up to his personality more than anything. He ran a construction company, and he had to deal with employees and people all day long. So of course he knew how to listen and make the other person feel genuinely heard.

“I think I’m going to read for a little bit,” Lori told her friends. “Unless you still need my help.”

“We’re totally good,” Julie said.

They’d just finished prepping a couple of salads to go along with dinner, and Dave and Ian would be starting on the meat in about an hour.

“What are you reading?” Stephenie asked, leaning on the counter across from her. “Anything good?”

“I brought a few selections,” Lori said. “But I think I’m going to start the mystery I brought,The Thursday Murder Club. Heard only good things.”

“Oh, I’ve read that series,” Steph said. “Excellent fun.”

Julie’s frown appeared. “How is a murder mystery fun?”

“It’s a cozy mystery series—kind of amateur sleuth stuff,” Stephenie said. “Quirky characters who are endearing.”

“What’s endearing?” Cal asked, coming into the kitchen. He settled an arm across Stephenie’s shoulders.

“We’re just talking about books,” she said, leaning against him.

Cal pressed a kiss on her cheek.

Time for Lori to go. “Let me know if you need anything.” She headed out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Her bedroom overlooked the back of the house, and if she stood at the right angle, she could see the deck. She settled onto the bed and grabbed the mystery novel. Before she dove in, she texted Marci for an update. A reply came immediately.

Steady traffic, but not so busy that I can’t handle it. Mostly selling Halloween decor.

Great,Lori texted back. She was happy people were buying the Halloween stuff—it meant she’d made the right ordering decisions. She set her phone aside and opened the novel.

Somehow time flew by, and she was just figuring out who all the characters were when she heard male voices outside the cabin. Maybe the men were starting up the barbecue? She had to check . . . in case . . . Climbing off the bed, she crossed to the window and looked down at the deck.

Dave, Ian, and Cal were all on the deck. Yep, starting up the barbecue. As she watched, Austin came outside, and with him, another man wearing a ball cap.

Lori’s heart stuttered. It was Malcom. She knew it, even with the ball cap on.

He’d come after all.

She moved back a step in case someone looked up and spotted her. But she couldn’t stop spying on them—or him, more specifically. He wore a T-shirt and shorts, and he seemed to be intermixing with the other guys quite easily. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but there was definitely laughter.

Lori’s pulse continued to race, which it had no business doing. She and Malcom had an interesting conversation last night, that was all. She moved to the en suitebathroom andchecked her appearance. She undid her ponytail and smoothed her hair, then put it up again. Black-and-silver spider earrings dangled from her earlobes. They were one of her favorite pairs. She’d actually worn them on one of her dates last year. He had said he hated spiders.

By the time she came out of the bathroom and looked out the window again, the women had joined the men. Well, that meant it was time for her to go downstairs. She didn’t want anyone coming to look for her. Drawing a deep breath and shaking away any nervous thoughts—which were ridiculous—she headed downstairs, then slipped out onto the deck.

She crossed to the rail and perched next to it, acting interested in the conversation going on around her. Brandy was in the midst of the men, and the other women were talking about Julie’s kids.

“Oh, here’s a funny one of Maren when she was trying to feed her baby brother goldfish crackers.” Julie held out her phone and the women passed it from one to the other.

“So you took the picture, then took way the goldfish?” Everly teased.

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