Page 21 of Only for the Season

“What kind of Christmas decorations do they put up? Mermaids? Pirates?”

“Are you making fun of the decorations in the loft? You can go stay at the Mermaid Hotel instead. They haven’t renovated in thirty years but you won’t have to deal with quirky decorations.”

I was joking again. But I know better than to admit to it. Someone is a bit prickly.

A man jumps out of the truck and Parker waves to him. “Hey, Flynn.”

He grins as he saunters toward us. “Parker, my baking queen, your Pearl Diver Pie was delicious as usual.”

He hugs her and I bite back a growl. He shouldn’t be touching her.

What the hell? I don’t do jealousy. And certainly not over a small-town baker. But the fire in my belly calls me a liar.

“Who’s this?” I ask and they pull apart.

“Flynn, Jeremy. Jeremy, Flynn. Flynn is the local contractor and all-around handyman. Jeremy is staying in the loft above the bakery.”

I’m surprised Parker didn’t mention I’m a billionaire. Most women can’t wait to share the information as if they’re special by association to me. Maybe she isn’t like most women?

Flynn offers me his hand and he squeezes mine as we shake. He thinks he can scare me away from Parker? He has another thing coming.

I squeeze his hand harder in return. We stare at each other as we each try to squeeze the other’s hand as hard as possible. My bones crack, but I don’t give up.

Parker pushes her way in between us. “What is wrong with you two? Why don’t you whip out your dicks and I can measure them?”

Flynn smirks. “Sophia might kill me if you come near my dick.”

Parker rolls her eyes. “Sophia would totally understand when I explain the context.”

Flynn smiles. “Yeah, my girl would.”

His girl? Is Parker not his girl? Is he cheating on Parker? Or the other way around?

I blow out a breath. This is not me. I don’t get jealous. I’m not possessive. Besides, Flynn did say Sophia wouldn’t want Parker around his dick. They’re not involved. I need to calm down.

“What are you up to?” Parker asks Flynn.

“Getting the Christmas decorations and the lights up.” Flynn frowns. “But my crew abandoned me.”

“Abandoned you?”

“A few too many drinks atBootleggerlast night.”

Parker giggles. “At least it’s not Mermaid Karaoke season.”

“Mermaid Karaoke?” I ask.

She waves away my question. “It’s a tourist thing in the summer. You’ll be long gone by then.”

She can’t wait to get rid of me. I wish the feeling was mutual.

“Hey! You’re an engineer, aren’t you?” she asks.

“A software engineer.”

“But you know about electricity and all that stuff.”

“All that stuff?”