Page 31 of Make You Mine This Christmas (Holly Ridge #2)
Austin
Where are you?
Brody
I’ve been gone for twenty minutes.
Austin
It feels like two hours.
Brody
You’re the one who guilted me into making this Peppermint Chocolate dessert for dinner tomorrow night and told me to go to the store when I suggested we just pick up a cake at Jitter’s instead
Austin
I may have made a big deal about how good this dessert is going to be to Blaire. We may have money riding on its being better than Cole’s tiramisu.
Brody
No pressure.
Austin
Besides my foot hurts.
Brody
I offered to go get the car and pick you up so you didn’t have to walk back to the gym. That not-so-little boy did land on it really hard.
Austin
You should have carried me, bridal style.
Brody
I’m more of a piggyback kinda guy.
Austin
Yeah, you are.
Brody
I’m so afraid to look at Urban Dictionary right now.
Austin
Well, hurry up. Safely.
Because the clinic just posted my test results, all negative, and I have gotten into the drawer to celebrate.
Brody
Did you reach for something blue and long?
Austin
Maybe . . .
Brody
Damnit, I told you I wanted to watch.
Austin
Guess you better hurry then.
Brody
Don’t let yourself come. I’ll be there in fifteen.
Austin
Ohh, topping from the top. Yes, sir.
* * *
From: admin@
To: brody@
December 16
Re: Hudson Associates Christmas Party
Dear Mr. Walker,
As we’ve discussed over the past few weeks, I’m still concerned about the assignment of Ted to the Hudson Associates Christmas Party. We’ve received another complaint about his behavior at a function last evening. I think you may need to speak with him, and soon.
Please let me know if there’s any other action you’d like from me on this matter.
Warmest Regards,
Monica
* * *
Cole
Now that I’ve gotten over the betrayal of my wife liking another man’s desserts more than mine . . . Can you ask Brody if I can have the recipe?
Blaire
Would you rather I lied to you?
Cole
Sometimes, a little white lie doesn’t hurt.
Austin
He says he’ll email it to you right now. And he said if the tiramisu recipe isn’t a family secret, he’d love to try his hand at making it one day.
Cole
What do you think, Austin? Is he one to be trusted with family recipes? I feel like maybe someday I’ll be letting him in on the family secret ingredient.
Austin
Blaire, I can tell you the secret ingredient I added to the dessert for tonight.
Cole
Nope, don’t want to know.
Austin
What?! I just put a little extra pep in his step, so he could sprinkle it with love.
Cole
I really hope you don’t mean love as a euphemism for something else.
Blaire
What are you, twelve? Of course not. So, love, huh?
Austin
Oh, whoops, there’s a weird cell phone outage that’s only affecting my apartment. Your messages can’t be delivered, don’t call here again.
Love you both. Night.
* * *
Mom
Thank you both for coming over for dinner on your day off.
Austin
Is this a group chat? How did you get Brody’s number?
Brody
It was great to see you again, Mrs. Owens. Thank you for cooking.
Mom
You’re a charmer. Yes, the finest plating of food out of a metal containers this side of the Pine River.
Austin
Hello? Am I invisible? How is this happening?
Mom
Brody gave me his number so I could forward him the information about the solstice celebration on Friday.
Austin
Oh my God, Mom. Seriously?
Brody
I thought it could enhance my role as Santa to brush up on other winter holidays and celebrations.
Austin
We have to turn around and go to work the next morning.
Brody
I thought we could see how we feel and maybe make an appearance.
Mom
I’ll put you both down as a maybe.
Brody
That’s very kind of you, Mrs. Owens. I hope we can make it.
Mom
Please call me Brenda.
Austin
What is happening right now?
* * *
To: brody@
From: mwalker@
CC: admin@
December 19
Re: Holiday Plans
Dear Brody,
I’m so sorry I’ve missed our last few catch-up calls. This time of year is so busy with service events and other commitments. I can’t wait to see you before too long.
Have you solidified your holiday plans for next week yet?
I imagine you may spend Christmas Day with your beau in Winterberry Glen, but wasn’t sure when you’d be heading back this way.
If you’ll be in town for New Year’s, I’d love to make a reservation for us for dinner.
Should I make it for three? Let me and Sally, copied here, know.
Love,
Grandma
* * *
Brody
Hi, Blaire, Austin gave me your number. I hope that’s okay.
Blaire
Of course! You probably had it already, it’s listed in your onboarding email.
Brody
Right. Well, it’s better this way, because this is a personal matter, not business.
Blaire
Oh, do tell.
Brody
I feel as if you’re the type of person one could be in cahoots with about a Christmas present surprise.
Blaire
Literally my favorite type of cahoots. Tell me everything.
Brody
It’ll be easier to explain in person. Can we meet for coffee before the workshop opens tomorrow? Say 10:30?
Blaire
Yes. Hmm . . . how to get Austin to bring you over early . . .
Brody
I’m going to try to sneak out early and take a rideshare, but a backup plan is a good one.
Blaire
Just make sure to wear him out good tonight.
Sorry, that’s inappropriate. I had another half glass of wine after I finished my first.
You could also tell him I want to talk to you about a contract for next year’s festival. Because I do. See, business and pleasure.
Please forget I said pleasure.
Brody
I’m blushing, but I feel like the cahoots has already started. See you tomorrow.
* * *
To: aowens@
From: [email protected]
December 20
Re: Setting up meeting for first week of January
Hi Austin,
Richard Harris here with the Winterberry Glen tourism office.
Well, a one-man office. But that’s what I’d like to schedule a time to talk to you about after the first of the year.
Can you please get back to me with your availability at your earliest convenience?
This is my last day in the office for the year, but I’ll be checking emails regularly.
Looking forward to connecting.
Best,
Richard