Page 22 of Getting Wrapped Up

Phoebe looked grim as she said, “That’s what I’m worried about.”

“Hey.”

Phoebe focused on him. “She can’t get her heart broken this Christmas, Joe. She’s had three bad ones in a row. This was supposed to be different. Better. Special.”

“It will be fine,” Joe insisted. Hereallyhoped that was true.

“And meanwhile,” Tucker said. “I’m now without a date to the formal. What do you think, Hails? You and me?”

“No.” Hailey didn’t even hesitate.

“Why not?” Tucker sounded amused.

“I don’t date guys from Sapphire Falls. And don’t call me Hails.”

“Ty calls you Hails,” Tucker pointed out.

“That’s…different,” Hailey said tightly.

“Uh, huh,” Tucker said. “Why don’t I buy you a hot chocolate and you tell me all about that.”

“Yes to the hot chocolate, no to the spilling my guts.”

“So thereissomething to spill,” Tucker said.

There was something going on with Hailey and Tyler Bennett. Everyone suspected it, speculated about it, but no one seemed to know anything for sure.

“Hailey—” Phoebe started.

But Joe grabbed both phones, shaking his head. “Gotta go guys.”

He disconnected both phones and looked at his wife. There was no time to get into anything with Hailey right now. Hailey Conner could talk about herself for hours.

And Joe didn’t want to hear it. He worked with politicians for a living—he had enough drama in his life.

Phoebe was chewing on her bottom lip.

“Should we call or text Levi and Kate?” she asked. “Make sure they’re okay?”

“She’s on his lap, kissing in the square,” Joe said, setting the phones both on his bedside table, out of Phoebe’s reach. “They’re more than okay.”

“Yeah, and they have to have figured out who they are by now right?” Phoebe asked.

“There is no way they still think they are with Tucker and Hailey,” Joe said, certain about at least that one thing.

Phoebe nodded and let him pull her down and flip the comforter over both of them. She was quiet for several seconds, but Joe knew she wasn’t completely done meddling.

As he reached to turn the light off, she finally spoke. “I’ll call Adrianne in the morning to go over and check on them.”

Chapter Four

Hailey slidfrom Levi’s lap and he took her hand, making himself walk at a reasonable speed for high heels. Which was tough considering he wanted to run. Of course, he could throw her over his shoulder and still get a pretty good jog going.

“By the way,” she said as they passed the hot chocolate stand and crossed the street on their way back to the bar.

“Yeah?”

“This is already the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”

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