Page 60 of All I Want is You this Christmas Final

Vance cocked his left brow. “Because it’s been days since you mentioned her?”

“I don’t tell you everything going on with me.”

Vance clutched his chest. “That hurts, man. However, I’m going to let it go and give you some advice. She is not here with you. You need to hang back and out of her space unless she gives you an all clear signal to approach.”

Considering how bad he’d messed things up, he should've listened. Just nursed his whiskey slowly and silently, along with his frustrations. Instead, he downed it.

“Ready f

or the round two, I see.”

Jared flagged Cade down again and Vance nudged him. “Exactly what happened between you and Anna Beth.”

“She’s only here for three weeks and all I could think about was the speculation when she leaves. I got spooked.

“I hear you and I get it,” Vance said in a soothing voice.

“Oh, geez.”

“But seriously, what if this time around, you two form something great and she stays?”

“Pretty sure I blew it on that one. She’s not even responding to my texts.”

“What did you send?”

“A cute bear gif inviting her to brunch.”

Vance blinked at him before running a hand down his face. “You’re so dumb.”

Jared scowled. “Thanks.”

The song ended and Anna Beth and Olive hugged each other, laughing.

“Maybe all isn’t lost,” Vance said.

Anna Beth came his way with Olive close behind. Jared stood still, waiting for her to notice him.

Olive saw him first and gave him a smart salute.

“Officer Cross. Off duty, I see.”

Anna Beth’s gaze jerked up at the mention of his name, her green eyes narrowing. His mouth went dry and he nervously struggled for something clever to say.

“Jared.”

“Anna Beth.”

Olive looked between them and rubbed her arms. “Brrr, chilly. Glad I’m not you.”

Anna Beth glared at her. “Let’s get a drink.”

She stepped around Jared and leaned over the bar, the red material of her dress tightening across her ass.

“Sorry, man, but you’re screwed.”

“Not comforting, Vance.”

Anna Beth waved at the bartender emphatically. “Hey, Cade, we need drinks!”