Page 12 of Christmas Kisses

"He's not a good man."

"He's done a lot for this town." I remind him.

"By getting everyone to do things for him instead of doing them himself. I'm tempted to run for mayor, but I don't think I'd be able to do two jobs at the same time without things falling through the cracks."

"You'd like to be mayor?"

"I'd like us to have a better mayor."

"I think we've gotten off track here."

"Yes, I'm sorry. When was the last time you went on a date?"

"Oh, wow. That was like three years ago when my BFF Brandy set me up on this blind date with Jim Pearson."

"The son of the owner of Pearson's Tree Nursery?"

"Yup, that's the one." I nod.

"What happened?"

"It was a disaster. He just wanted to get into my pants. At every stage of the date, he kept insisting we go back to my place. That we would feel more comfortable there."

"What did you do?" Ben frowned.

"Told him I was going to the bathroom and took a rideshare home. He blew up my phone for a bit, but then I blocked him."

"So you know how to handle yourself with creeps. Why isn't it working with Mayor Douchebag?"

"Ben."

"Okay, let's have some date conversation. What's it like to not have siblings? Mine drive me insane."

"I thought you were partners in your handyman business."

"Yes, that doesn't stop them from driving me insane."

I hesitate for a few moments. How honest should I be? I don't want to bring the conversation down when we've just started dinner. A smile appears on my lips.

"What's that smile for?" Ben asks with one of his own.

"I was thinking as if I were on a date. Didn't know how honest I should be. You're doing a good job."

"What did you decide?"

"Being an only child can be lonely. It was hard until I met Brandy in high school. We haven't separated since. Well, not until Brandy went to Miami to get her man. Now we do video conferencing at least once a week."

"What's Brandy like?"

"A spitfire. Always making up schemes to make things happen in life. That part I don't miss. She'll be arriving in a couple of days. You'll get to meet her."

"Seems like she balances you out. Though you're no shrinking violet."

"I have my days. What do your brothers do that bother you so much?"

"Silly stuff.” He shrugs. “They're all in their thirties and insist on doing things like pulling pranks or causing rumors that upset our parents. The only one that respects me somewhat is Danny. We're closer, even though Michael is between us."

"Do you get them back?"

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