Page 15 of Mistletoe Magic

Ava

The open skateis going great with no issues since Mrs. Riley left. Mr. Riley called to apologize for her behavior. I let Maisy go, and some of my part-timers are working on cleaning the rinks for me since we’ll be closed for a couple of days for Candy Cane Center’s festivities.

The staff always likes to spend time with friends and family. I hate denying them that time together. They work overtime on Christmas Eve for the program, and all the town shows up for it. Those who celebrate Christmas Eve are exempt from coming and still get paid for the time they would be here.

The bell rings, informing me someone is coming into the rink. I open my mouth to start the welcome to Celebration Ink, but I hear Hunter’s laugh with two others coming in.

“Goddess.” He smiles at me, and my stomach does a flop. I missed him.

“Well, hello, sexy man. How has your day been so far?” He leans in to kiss me, and the alcohol on it hits me. I almost gag and back away.

“Good. My brothers and I were wondering if the open skate was still going on.”

“Yes, but since you’ve been drinking, I can’t let you on the ice. It’s an insurance thing.” I smile at them. They seem disappointed.

“We only had a beer at lunch.” The guy with Hunter stands in front of me. I’m assuming these men are Brad and Tony.

“A beer is fine, but when you step on the ice, I’m responsible for you. I’m sorry. Open skate ends in an hour, then we have practice.” The guys all seem disappointed but understand. We make small talk as I take them on the tour of the rink.

“Are you okay?” Hunter asks, leaning into my ear.

“Yes. Sorry, it’s been stressful all day, and it seems like it won’t be stopping soon. The smell of beer makes me gag. Bad teenage party days.” I blush. “How is your day going?”

“I brought my brothers to meet you. Do you have an extra tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush? I’ll scrub my teeth and tongue because my lips are dying to touch yours.”

I sigh. I walk back to my office with the three hot guys following me.

“Ava, my wife Chrissy is a schoolteacher, and she was wondering if you needed help with anything. She’s getting bored not doing anything at all.”

“Does she know how to paint and skate?” I ask Tony, and he nods. “I’m always looking for people to help set up the rink for the pageant. My staff is in the back with the kids, and it’s usually Jack and me, but he might have to work, so I need backup.”

“We’d love to help. We’re going to be here anyway, so it should be fun.” Tony smiles. I thank him and hand Hunter the bag we hand out to the young kids who don’t have personal stuff at home.

“I thought after the tree lighting, we could go into Orlando to a dive bar Jack, Lyssa, and I frequent when Lyssa is kid-free,” I tell Tony and Brad as Hunter brushes his teeth in the bathroom. “I’d love to meet your wives.”

“It sounds like a fun time. We’ll bring it up to them. I enjoy going to different bars since I own one back in California. It’s nice to see what other places are doing to draw in a crowd.” Tony makes small talk as he and Brad look at the desk.

“I told your dad to take what he wanted. I didn’t have the heart to get rid of it. I still wait for him to walk through that door and tell me it was a joke.” I weakly smile, wiping the tears from my cheeks as I shake my head to get the thoughts of Denny out.

“Babe, do you need us to do anything?” Hunter comes into the office like he works here.

“No, but tomorrow you can help Jack move the decorations that are in my living room. I need to finish painting them. Tonight is the last rehearsal.” There’s a tiny knock on the door, and I know who it is. “Excuse me, boys, there is a very handsome man at my door that needs my attention.” Hunter scoffs.

“A.” Timmy smiles at me. His voice is gruff with a hint of shyness. I often tell him he’s a heartbreaker. He can’t say Ava very well, so he calls me A.

“Hey, handsome. Would you like to meet some new friends of mine?” He steps into the office, then shakes his head. He doesn’t like a room that he can’t get out of quickly. “Okay. You can meet them another time. Let’s go get your skates on.” He grabs my hand, and we walk out. I stop and stand in the doorway. “Close the door when you leave, and you’re more than welcome to watch the practice. Timmy is my godson. Gets nervous around people in closed spaces.” They seemed to understand. Hunter gives me a kiss, follows me out of the office with his brothers, and heads into the rink while I go to the locker room.

I miss Hunter near me already.

What’sit going to be like when he goes back to California?

Hunter

“Oh, boy.”I jump off the bench.

“What is it?” Brad looks around the rink.

“Trouble for Ava. I’ll be back,” I tell them as I leave the rink and walk out to the reception.

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