Page 33 of A Very Titan Christmas
His face screwed up in confusion. “How old? I don’t know. Younger than me. Older than you. Why?”
“No reason.” Eloise took his hand. “I thought we were going to check on the gift shop?”
“In a minute. I’m saying my hellos.” Dad shook his head and let out a hearty chuckle, then refocused on Bryce. “You’re with Titan Group now?”
“I just started.”
He nodded approvingly. “They’re good people. They get the job done.”
“Every time,” Bryce agreed. “I’ve partnered with them on special projects over the years and enjoyed the work.”
“So you’ve met Jared Westin in person?”
“Affirmative.” Bryce laughed as though they were discussing an enigma who was only understood when faced in person. “He’s one hell of a guy.”
“One of the best. Maybe we should invite him and his family up sometime. I bet they’d love that.” Her dad rubbed his chin. “All right. Something to think about.”
Eloise nodded as if that was her cue to make it happen one day. “Actually, Titan Group is moving its entire holiday extravaganza to our cabins. A mini-vacation and holiday party to top all holiday parties.”
Roman’s eyebrows arched.
“I didn’t know about that,” Bryce said cautiously. “Everyone’s coming up?”
Eloise nodded. “We’re still finalizing details, but it seems like you’ll be up here through Christmas.”
Oh God. Oh no. Rachel would have to continue this charade after the security summit and through the holidays. That wasn’t fair to Bryce. She’d locked him in. They could always have a breakup. It wasn’t as if Eloise could matchmake over Christmas—but she could probably pull off something for New Year’s. Shoot. A breakup wouldn’t work.
“On to the gift shop?” Eloise prompted.
Her father playfully saluted her mother then guided Eloise back to the pathway.
Rachel waited until her parents were out of earshot. “I cannot thank you enough for pretending to be my boyfriend.” She winced. “You’re going to be here longer than we bargained for. We can figure something out before your coworkers arrive.”
He shrugged, amused. “I wish we could get our hands on the list of your potential suitors. It’d be entertaining.”
Okay, Bryce didn’t care as much about his coworkers. They could handle the arrival of Titan Group later. She refocused on their current problem. “There aren’t enough single men in Silverberry Ridge to warrant a list.”
“Your mom’s list is… interesting.”
“Yeah, if interesting means too close to home and slightly inappropriate.” Her nose scrunched. “My dad’s doctor. His accountant. Mom’s home renovation contractor. It’s like the who’s who of their personal Rolodex.”
Bryce laughed. “Her heart is in a good place.”
“It is not.” Rachel crossed her arms. “She said she wants grandkids.” She watched his eyes bug at the reminder of her panic. “See. Exactly!”
“All right. Maybe less altruistic, but maybe she’s trying to”—he gestured vaguely—“accomplish things sooner than later.”
“What does that mean?”
Bryce chewed the inside of his cheek. “She… looks different than the last time I saw her.”
“The wheelchair?”
“Well, yeah.” He closed his mouth in thought. “It’s not my business, but maybe that has something to do with the reason she’s pushing you.”
“She has multiple sclerosis.” Rachel turned in the direction her parents had gone. “She’s not leaving us anytime soon.”
“Good to know.”
