Page 20 of Tinsel and Teasing

“Be nice to her, Clyde.”

“Got it.” He holds his keys up and heads to the door.

Thirteen

Isadora

Ishouldhavekeptmy mouth shut about Hardwood. What was I thinking? Everything is so much more awkward now.

I need to get home. I can’t think straight around these guys.

Instead of a leisurely morning followed by me asking them to drive me back to my car, discreetly parting ways without exchanging phone numbers, or only getting their numbers and telling them, “I’ll think about it,” I’ve created a total mess.

My damn feelings got in the way while I was sleeping. I had dream after dream of a life with them. I even imagined how wonderful it would be havingthreemen so that if one failed me, I still had two more to fall back on. An odd compromise I’m not sure Grandma would agree with if she was still alive.

Even as I woke up, I hung on to the fantasy. I still want to hang on to it. I feel like I’m making the worst decision of my life as I walk behind Clyde who’s snow-shoveling our way to the garage.

“We’ll take the truck with better snow tires, just in case they haven’t plowed yet.”

“Thanks. I’d hate to end up stranded.” But the truth is I want to be stranded with them. I want my decisions taken away so that I can pretend that there really are princesses and happily ever afters.

We head to the triple bay garage near one of the other cabins, and Clyde lifts the door revealing a truck with beefy tires.

A Firebird at the other end of the large garage catches my attention.

Luke and Knox are a few paces behind.

“Is this your garage, Luke?” I ask, noticing a bunch of toolboxes that I presume a car restorer would have.

“Yeah, but we share vehicles.”

“Is that Firebird for one of your customers?”

“That’s my baby. 1978 black body with a gold hood chicken. Not useful in the winter, but it’s my dream car. I’m restoring it to its original condition.”

“That’s my favorite car too.” I purse my lips. If I’m trying to disconnect, I can’t make more connections with them.

How can I follow through with my plan to be a strong, independent woman focused on my classes and my job if I can’t get my mind off these sexy-jacks? I chastise myself for enjoying my word that perfectly describes them.

Luke says, “When the roads are clear, I’ll be happy to give you a ride.”

I force myself not to take him up on the offer. I need time to think, and the only way I can do that is to get away from them.

“All right. Well, thank you.” I extend my hands to hug Luke and do the same with Knox, then hop in the truck. “Thanks for donating to the auction and fire department. They won’t need to do another fundraiser for a good long time thanks to generous people like you.”

My monologue is overly stiff so I can hide my turmoil.

Before I know it, Clyde’s driving me home. After he navigates the switchbacks down the mountain and pulls onto the smoother stretch in town, he says, “Why didn’t you just say you were a fan?”

“I didn’t do this because I’m a fan.”

“I’m supposed to believe that?”

“I really did want all three of you, once I realized what the offer was.”

“You should have just said something up front.”

“Would you have gone through with last night?” I’m sure he wouldn’t have. No way he would have revealed to a fan that he was a virgin.

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