Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 49005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
I’m still giggling as I take the next picture.
We have at least as many people visit Santa as last week, and maybe more, but between Felix’s comments and Jasper frequently making eyes at me, the day flies by.
I’m surprised when Lisa appears to close the line for the day. Jasper never even took a break. He’s patient with the remaining visitors, and when the last one leaves, his mood seems brighter than I’ve ever seen it.
Instead of hurrying away to get out of their costumes like last week, the Winter brothers stay close as we prepare to leave.
On the way to the parking lot, Felix is by my side. “Would you like to go ice skating, Holly?”
But Nick and Rudy are right there, too. “We were going to invite you to go to a concert with us,” Nick says.
Jasper aims another dark look at the Frosts, his happy Santa expression suddenly gone. “But we’ve just asked her to go ice skating.”
I stop walking, distressed by where this is heading and not sure what to do about it. “Is there a reason it has to be one or the other? When is the concert?”
“It’s tonight,” Nick says.
“When are you going ice skating?” I ask Felix.
“It can be almost anytime, but we have to work tonight.”
“Then, I say yes to both of you.” Even though they’ve all said they’re okay with me dating all of them, the men shoot begrudging looks at one another. “I realize this is an odd situation, and it’s a new one for me, but I really hope the four of you can try to get along.”
Jasper grumbles, Nick nods, Rudy’s expression is wary, and Felix is back to looking like he wants to eat me up.
“How about tomorrow for the skating?” Jasper asks.
“After church?” I tease, and he gives me a sly grin.
“After church. We’ll be in touch later.” Then, after a challenging glance at Nick and Rudy, Felix steps in and gives me a kiss. Nothing as steamy as the looks he’s been giving me, or the things he’s been saying, but it lingers long enough to make a statement.
Jasper tugs his Santa beard aside and kisses me next. “See you tomorrow,” he says, his low gravelly voice doing things to me that I hope aren’t obvious to anyone else.
As the Winter brothers head to their truck, the Frost brothers put on pleasant expressions, as if they’re trying to pretend none of that just happened.
Chapter 13
That evening, Nick and Rudy pick me up for our date. Rudy drives a white sedan, a luxury vehicle that’s large enough to be used as a family car. It’s a sharp contrast to the Winter brothers’ motorcycles.
I tell myself not to think about the Winters, but I can’t help it. While I was getting ready, I imagined them taking the stage at Club Red tonight. I experienced an irrational pang of jealousy when I pictured all the women who’d be ogling their nearly-naked bodies and cheering them on.
They’re hot, of course, but knowing that they share their bodies, in a sense, with so many other people is another mark against any long-term potential. I don’t know if I could get comfortable with that.
Not that the Winters are offering a long-term situation. It’s apples to oranges, really. Felix and Jasper are offering hot sex, while Nick and Rudy are looking for a woman to share their life with.
That distinction should make things clear for me, but it doesn’t. If I’m so tempted by the Winters, maybe that’s a sign that I’m not ready to get serious with the Frosts.
“You’re quiet tonight,” Rudy says as we pull into the parking lot of the amphitheater in Littleton. “Are you tired?”
“A little, I guess. It was really busy at the park today.”
“Sure was,” Nick says. “But you can relax for the rest of the evening. We brought blankets and hot chocolate. Nothing to do but sit back and enjoy the music.”
I give him a contented smile. “That sounds great.”
There aren’t many people there when we arrive, so we’re able to find a central spot to lay out the stadium blanket the men brought. As we get settled, more and more people fill in around us, and soon the venue is nearly full.
A couple of people recognize the Frosts from their vet office, and come over to say hello. The men introduce me by name, but without an explanation of who I am to them. From where I’m sitting snug between Nick and Rudy, I suspect that people will get the idea that we’re dating.
“Do you mind if people know you’re both dating the same woman? Four Points Island can be a very gossipy place.”
Rudy shakes his head immediately. “As long as there’s open communication, and everything’s consensual, no one should have a problem with it.”