Page 64 of The Night

“Yeah,” I said. “I am.”

“And did you tell him that?”

“No.” I snorted. “Shit, Parker. What kind of idiot just goes around telling other people how they feel when they don’t know for sure how theotherperson feels, and they don’t know whether the other person wants something permanent or something that lasts about as long as a… as a fucking Christmas tree? That’s like skydiving without a parachute. Scary as shit.”

Parker chuckled. “Never a truer word, my friend.”

“Also as scary as tumbling half-naked into a bed covered with dancing, talkingSantas.” I gave him a sour look. “So thanks for that.”

We’d reached the end of the tree lot I slowed my steps as we turned toward Weaver Street.

Parker laughed. “Tell the truth, the mistletoe was a nice touch, wasn’t it? Silas’s idea. He’s a romantic at heart. Jamie came up with the dancing Santas.”

“Of course he did,” I grumbled. “Your boyfriend and I are gonna have words.”

“Nah, think of it this way, you’ll be like Pavlov’s dog now! Every time you hear a Christmas carol you’ll have an overpowering need to get naked and you’ll be all…” He held up his hand palm down, then flicked his wrist up and whistled. “Every time. Even in April.”

“Terrific.Helpful. I’ve always wanted to be brainwashed into getting an erection every time I hear ‘Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.’ That’s not troubling at all.”

Parker doubled over with laughter.

“I’m plotting revenge, FYI. It’s only thanks to Liam that I’m not leading a brigade of elves to your house right now for a round-the-clock drum circle to ensure you and Jameson never have sex again.” I braced my hands on my hips and watched the traffic pass on the street, idly wondering just how upset Liam would be if I ran over and got Hazel a treat atFanaille, and how quickly I could make him forgive me in the end.

“Liam, who you’rein lovewith,” Parker teased gently, his eyes still watering from laughing so hard.

I blew out a breath. “Yeah, him.”

“Uh huh. And you do know one of you has to speak first, right? I mean, unless you’re willing to keep feeling the way you’re feeling right now for the next twenty years—”

“I’m aware, Parker,” I shot back. “I just—”

“Hey!” A tall, good-looking guy in an orangey sweater bleeped the locks on the dumbest-looking, smushed-faced, black-and-white BMW I’d ever seen—if a little VW Bug and a giant Suburban got drunk and mated, they might produce this offspring—and lifted his hand in greeting.

I blinked. Even in O’Leary, we tended not to wave at people we didn’t know, and the guy’s plates said he was from Massachusetts.

“Oh. Yeah. Hey,” Parker called, waving in answer because he was friendly like that. “Have a nice day.”

I said nothing, but I watched the guy walk across the street to Micah’s Blooms with narrowed eyes.

“Tourists,” Parker sighed once the guy had disappeared into the flower shop. “I loves ’em and I hates ’em. But frankly, I love them more than I hate them because—don’t tell Jamie—we’re getting a cat for Christmas, so we’re gonna have another mouth to feed.Julian has an abandoned cat at the clinic who gave birth to six kittens a couple weeks back.”

“Yeah? Don’t tell Hazel unless you’re looking to have her camp out on your back porch or move into those rooms above the bar. Assuming your termites are gone?”

He coughed. “Yeah. Such a weird thing about those termites, man. Weather got cold and they all just… evaporated?”

“Uh huh. Evaporating termites. Sounds legit.” I found myself fighting a smile. “Go make your burgers, Hoffstraeder. I’ll see you tomorrow at the Parade.”

“You definitely will.” Parker gave me a salute and started to turn toward his bar.

“Oh, hey, Parks?” I called.

“Yeah?”

“Your hat’s crooked again,” I said. I reached up and straightened it.

He grinned hugely. “Thanks, man. Later.” He darted up the sidewalk, then called over his shoulder. “Remember to have that talk!”

“Yeah, yeah,” I mumbled under my breath. I’d have the talk. Eventually.