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“Wade!” She screamed, jumping up and down, while batting false eyelashes. Her boobs bounced like two braless basketballs. Prep boy was proud showing off his prize. I shook my head, having a slut on your arm was never a prize. The guy was too much of a dumb shit to realize that. But maybe someday he would.

The rest of the night was awkward after I cock-blocked Char and Hunter. Each of them fidgeted nervously. It was clear I was the third wheel wrecking their good time.

We left after midnight, marveling at the falling snow. “It never snows like this here!” Char spread her arms wide, spinning herself in circles. She threw her head back, sticking her tongue out like a kid. Hunter stared hungrily at her, so I shoved him. Maybe a bit harder than I meant to. Before I knew what was happening, we were both down in the snow, wrestling like teenagers.

“You know what?” Hunter rolled away, slapping the snow off his jeans. “This is the most fun I’ve had in weeks.”

“Because you’re a loser?” I stood, also brushing the snow off.

“No. Because it’s like old times. Can’t wait for summer at the Outer Banks again.”

“Me, too.” Char answered dreamily.

It did feel kind of good. Like the warm spot in my heart turned on after being switched off. I still had my back up about Hunter trying to seduce my sister. We used an app to hire a car to take us back to the city. I hated to leave my Tesla here overnight, but I had a few drinks, plus there was the snow.

I promised Hunter, I’d be in touch after Christmas to hang out more. We said our goodbyes and headed separate ways. The following morning, Char and I drove back to the shore house for Christmas. We rediscovered our childhood playing board games and Nintendo. I was actually a bit sad when Christmas morning came because she was leaving the next day.

“What’s this?” I asked as she handed me a wrapped gift. “You already gave me the painting and a professional photo shoot.”

She grinned. “Open it.”

I tore the paper unable to stop the groan from escaping. “At least I’m not on the cover.”

“Don’t you want to flip through it and see what month you are?”

“Not really.” I put the calendar down to get her gifts.

“Turn it over.”

There I was. Not on the front but on the entire back cover. I put the calendar facedown back in the box eager to give her my gifts.

“Your first gift I couldn’t wrap. It’s here. One free week of your choosing.”

“Just one?”

“Hey, I need to make back some money here.”

“I’m just kidding. Thanks! I can’t wait!”

“You better book fast. Carlos emailed this morning. The pictures he took came out so good I’m putting the cottage up this week on OBXrentals.com.”

“I’ll take something in September.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, you deserve to make a killing, Chase. I mean it. Sorry for all my man whore comments. You really are a catch.”

“You are too, Char. Why are you alone for the holidays? I mean I know why I am. This place and work are my mistresses.”

“There was someone. But then it just slipped away.”

“He was a fool then. No one should ever let you slip away.”

She shrugged. “Anyway. This has been one of my best Christmases yet.”

“Same.”

We watched old Christmas movies on Netflix the rest of the day, feasted on leftovers while making to-do lists for the new year—which was Char’s idea of course.