Page 47 of The Merriest Christmas

And more.

Chase leaned forward, elbows on the table.There was no trace of a smile when he said, "So Toby, what are your intentions toward our sister?"

Good grief.

CHAPTER 8

Emmy

What happened next was a mixture of absurd and mortifying.

My brothers grilled Toby, and for the most part, I could only stand there and shake my head.Even when I tried to intervene, it didn't help.The conversation went like this.

Me:Come on, guys.Leave him alone.There's nothing going on.

Dex:Hmmm.Then why are you standing up for him?

Me:I'm not.

Dex:Yeah, you are.

Me:No, I'm just—

Baylor:Defending your man?

I gave him the evil eye for that as Toby sputtered.

Baylor:And now, she's glaring at me.That tells me everything I need to know.

Me:Bay, I'm two seconds from doing something violent.

Baylor:Did you hear that, D?

Dex:I did. She's moved onto threats.

Baylor:Must be serious.

Dex:Must be.

Me:Keep talking, and I'll tell Maisie and June how you asked me to spy on them while you were away.

Their mouths snapped shut just as I'd intended.

But it didn't last.

Dex:Not cool, Emmy.

Baylor:Yeah, we just asked you to keep an eye out, keep them safe.

Dex:Never thought you'd turn on us over a jock.

Toby:Guys, seriously, it's not like that.

Chase:So, you weren't flirting with Emmy?

Toby:No…well, I mean, not much.

Archer:Why not?Are you saying our sister's not good enough for you?

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