Page 5 of Holiday Hoax

“That’s nice. I’m glad he was there to run interference.”

“So am I.”

The chime from the front door sounds, so I stand to go out and greet whoever it is. “Is there anything else?” I ask.

“No.” She waves me off. “Go make a sale.”

A smile lifts my lips as soon as I see the man looking around lost at the front desk. He’s huge, a testament to his career as an NFL tight end. Drew Flowers is not only a world class athlete, but a neighborhood friend I grew up with.

“Drew.” I walk toward him with my arms open for a hug. “What are you doing here?”

“Hey Mia.” He squeezes me in a brotherly embrace. “I need some art for my new townhouse.”

“Do you not like the pieces we chose last year?”

“Well, I have some news.” He looks chagrined as he meets my gaze. “Turns out I’m a dad.”

“That’s amazing! Congratulations.”

“Thanks. It was definitely unexpected.”

“You’ll be an amazing dad. But I see why you might want to find different pieces for your space. How long until the baby is here?”

The art he bought last year were gorgeous charcoal drawings of nude women. They were tasteful but also deeply sensual. It was the perfect collection for a single bachelor but not really family friendly.

“Apparently three years ago.” He scratches his jaw. “I just found out about her, my daughter, a couple weeks ago.”

“What? Oh my god, I didn’t think that happened in real life.”

“Yeah, well, apparently it does. The other day her case worker came over unannounced and kept side eyeing all my art and decor. She didn’t outright say I needed to redecorate, but it was heavily implied.”

“No problem. We can find something for you.”

The afternoon flies by as we pick pieces and catch up on each other’s lives. I promise to stop by on installation day to give him my opinion, even though he has a decorator who will be choosing each location of the pieces he purchased. Plus, I’ll be able to meet his daughter, who I’m exceptionally curious about.

I tell him about my nightmare encounter with Eric last night. He listens as I fill him in on the way he keeps coming by the gallery but not buying anything. His brow furrows as he hands over his credit card to pay.

“That guy sounds like a creep. You should have Mason work with him from now on.”

“I tried that, but he was adamant about wanting me to be the person. Sylvia and Mason both stay close when he’s here.” I givehim a smile as I hand back his card. “You have enough to worry about, don’t add a weirdo that I’m dealing with to your list.”

“Does Nico know? Or your dad?”

“No.” I point my finger at him. “And don’t you dare think about telling either of them, Andrew Flowers,” I say threateningly. “I’m fine.”

“Okay, but let me know if you ever need anything. My townhouse is only a few blocks away.”

“I know.” I walk him to the door and tell him goodbye with a quick hug.

Sylvia is behind the front desk when I turn the lock behind him.

“Tell me again why you never dated that gorgeous man?” she asks without lifting her gaze from the screen.

“Because I literally watched him spend years of his life eating boogers and running screaming from spiders,” I reply deadpan.

“If I were thirty years younger, I could look past that for the way he looks in those uniform pants.”

I laugh and shake my head. “I can’t. He’s basically my brother, and I love him to pieces but not that way.”

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