Page 11 of The Snuggle is Real
Sawyer shrugged. He’d always been modest, but my brother was the athletic one of the two of us. And ever since he’d turned his watersports hobby into a job, he’d only gotten fitter.
I was a tiny matchstick of a man in comparison. My job didn’t exactly build muscle. Not that anything would on this rail-thin body.
“So, was there good news for me?” I prompted. “Or is the good news just that Sawyer is someone else’s problem now?”
Mom laughed. “Both!”
“We’re coming for Christmas,” Sawyer said. “Although now I’m wondering if we should bother, asshole.”
“Language,” Mom scolded.
My heart skipped. “You’re really going to come all the way here? What about work?”
“It’s slow over the winter,” Mom said. “My sous chef can hold down the fort.”
“Oh, yeah?”
Sawyer sighed. “Yeah, and Ash would love to check out the restaurants up there to see if there’s anything new he can incorporate into his menu. He never stops trying new things.”
“He’s got a lot of passion,” Mom said.
“Kinda like my little brother, the adventure tour guide,” I said with a grin.
It had taken a lot for Sawyer to take a risk and really pursue his dream. I was damn proud of him.
“I guess we’re a good match,” Sawyer said.
“You’re lucky,” I said, fighting the envy that wanted to creep into my voice. “And I’m so glad you’re all coming up for Christmas. I thought I’d be spending it alone, and I…” My voice nearly gave out and I took a breath. “I’ve missed you guys.”
Mom’s eyes softened. “We’ve missed you too, sweetie. But if your job won’t let you come home, then we’ll just bring home to you.”
“I’ll have to get my house ready. It’s a DIY mess.” I laughed. “This is awesome, though. I might have to work while you’re here, but?—”
“That’s cool,” Sawyer said. “We can play tourist over there and annoy all the locals while you’re busy. It’ll be a nice change of pace.”
I laughed. “Wait until you see this place. It’swild.It’s like a ceramic holiday village came to life and exploded with Christmas kitsch every-damn-where.”
“You sound like you love it,” Mom said, reading me as perfectly as she always had.
“I guess it’s growing on me,” I said with a grin. “It’ll be more fun to share it with all of you.”
There was a sharp bark, and then the sound of Elias’s voice. “Whoa, pup. Slow down.”
“What was that?” Sawyer asked.
My eyes widened. “Oh, shoot. I forgot…”
Elias barged through my door, holding onto the leash as a border collie strained into view.
“Uh, Mom, Sawyer, I’ve got one other guest for the holidays…”
“That handsome man?” Mom asked, her tone full of hope.
I flushed. “Uh no. Elias is just a friend. I meant the dog I’m fostering. Uh…”
“Peppermint Bark,” Elias said. “We give all the pets holiday-themed names. Goes with the town tradition.”
“Seriously? I can’t run around calling out a candy name. People will think I’m bonkers.”
