Page 52 of Mistletoe Kisses

Chapter22

Lucas

When I pulledup to the pizza place in town, Reed’s car was already there. I hadn’t dined in here for a long time. One of the quirks I’d developed about working in the food service industry was a universal disinterest in wanting to eat in other restaurants. I was far more likely to get food to go, especially in town.

As soon as I got inside, I spotted Reed in a booth. As I walked over, I passed a few patrons I recognized from work and smiled at them. When I reached the booth, it creaked as I slid over the cracking plastic.

Reed greeted me with a wide smile. “Thanks so much for having lunch with me before you head into work.”

“Happy to. I’ll never turn down pizza.”

Reed’s eyebrows drew together. “How are things going with Arlo gone?”

Shit. I’d forgotten to tell Warren about Arlo staying. It all happened so fast yesterday, then when I got off work, I hadn’t thought about anything but spending time with him.

“About that.” I scratched the back of my neck as one of Reed’s eyebrows went up. “A pipe burst in his apartment, and he can’t go home, so he decided to extend his trip another week.”

Reed grinned and picked up his water. “Lucky you.”

“Extra lucky me since he’s staying with me for the week.”

Reed choked after taking a drink.

“Wait. Pretend I didn’t say that until two minutes from now. I need to tell Warren first.” I shot off a quick text to him. If Reed learned something about my life before my brother, I’d catch hell.

“I didn’t realize things were going so well between the two of you.”

My hackles rose. “I know we’ve only known each other for a week, and it looks ridiculous on the outside—”

Reed held up his hand. “Whoa there, cowboy. Did you forget I was also only temporarily in town when I met and fell for your brother? I’m the last person to judge you. When you feel something for a person, sometimes you need to follow it through. You might find out you like menanddick.”

The server approached at that moment with menus. I laughed silently as we listened to the specials.

After she left, I grabbed the menu. “Thanks for the support, man. Hopefully, you’ll remind my brother of your origins if he starts getting worried about me.”

“You got it, and don’t worry. He likes Arlo. He was bummed yesterday that Arlo already left. He was excited about new friends and double dates.”

“You’re right. I don’t need to worry about him being worried about me. I need to worry about him planning my wedding.” I shook my head.

“Speaking of weddings.” Reed pulled at the collar of his button-up.

I dropped the menu as my head snapped up to stare at him. “You’re shitting me.”

“I can assure you there is no shitting on, in, or around anyone.”

“Are you seriously going to propose?” Did he have any idea Warren was planning to do the same?

If Reed’s adoring smile could be bottled as a happy potion, we’d be rich.

“I am. Since we’re moving Making Spirits Bright to the remodeled park, I want it to be extra memorable. We worked our asses off to win the renovation money last year and that really brought us together. So I thought it was most fitting to propose at the event.”

I smacked his arm. “That’s fucking brilliant. He’s going to shit himself.” My face pinched. “Not shit himself. Have a perfectly reasonable and enthusiastic reaction.”

Reed bit his lip in a way that reminded me of Arlo. Then I started to realize why he’d asked me to lunch.

“You’re not telling me to ask for my blessing, are you?”

Reed aimed his puppy-dog eyes at me. “Of course not. Warren can make his own decisions. I’m hoping you’ll perform at the event. It would mean the world to him to have you be a part of it in that way. I can get you on the roster without him knowing.”

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