Page 78 of A Newport Christmess

Landon’s brow furrowed. “About moving the gingerbread houses?”

“No. About being here at all. I probably should have gone to a hotel.”

“I promise you, the guys are glad to have a free place to stay. None of them care they have to share the space with a beautiful woman.”

I sent him a disbelieving glance. “I’m sure that’s not true. And you’re sharing a room with Anthony when you could be in your own room”—I paused—“if I was at a hotel, I mean.”

Landon wrapped his arms around me. “True, but then you’d be at a hotel instead of in the room next to me, and I couldn’t see you whenever I wanted. So I’ll gladly share a queen-sized bed with Anthony.”

“The two of you are sharing a queen-sized bed? How is that logistically going to work? You’re not small guys.” I glanced over at the king bed in here. “Why don’t we switch rooms now that you’re staying upstairs? You can have the king, and I’ll take the queen.”

“This is the only door with a lock.”

I nodded, conceding his point, then nuzzled into him and his wonderful scent. It was amazing how natural it felt being with Landon. If I stopped to think about it, it kind of freaked me out a little, but when I was with him, everything seemed right in the world. “Is it bad I don’t want to go to the bachelorette party tonight?”

“Only if it’s bad that I don’t want to go to the bachelor party, and I’m the one throwing it.”

“That is bad.” I looked up and wrinkled my nose.

He cupped my face in his hands. “I never had a chance to apologize about Tyler walking in on us earlier.”

“I’m the one who instigated that one.”

“I did appreciate that more than you know.” His thumb brushed across my cheek, and he leaned down to kiss me but then paused. Footsteps sounded down the hallway behind us. “And one of these days, I’m going to kiss you without being interrupted.”

“Hey, Landon.” A guy whose name was possibly Brian came through the door and paused mid-step when his gaze fell on us. “Sorry. The door was open, but I can come back later.”

“That’s okay,” I said with a smile and stepped out of Landon’s hold. “I should get ready.”

Landon sent me an apologetic smile and then turned toward the guy. “Did you need something, Adam?”

Okay, so not Brian, but I was pretty sure there was someone here by the name of Brian.

“The toilet’s clogged downstairs.”

“That didn’t take long.” Landon sent me one last smile and followed Adam out, stopping at the door to lock the handle and shut it behind him.

* * *

The Airbnb Nikki had rented for her and her bridesmaids was filled to the brim with chatting, laughing women. The large room opened out onto a deck overlooking the water, and a heated swimming pool let off steam into the cold night air. This was nothing like the perfectly simple bachelorette party Ashlee had thrown for me, and I was amazed, and a little overwhelmed, at how many friends Nikki had.

I grabbed a sparkling water and found an armchair in the corner, trying not to think about how much I could be getting done on my last gingerbread house if I were home. Or how late it was and how tired I was getting. Or how comfy I’d be in yoga pants and an oversized sweater instead of my tight jeans and this professional blouse. I’d literally packed one nice outfit for when I was going to meet Irene at Rosecliff to help set up the centerpieces. Now, it looked like I’d be stuck wearing this same outfit for multiple occasions, including the rehearsal dinner.

“Hey!” A woman approached who looked straight off the pages of a magazine, her deep-red hair shining in the light. I glanced around to see whom she was talking to before realizing it was me.

“Hey,” I repeated in a nearly identical tone, like I was some kind of human recorder.

She wore a small strappy dress that hugged her body in all the right places and made her legs look like they went on for days. The strappy heels only added to the effect. I was seriously underdressed. She smiled. “I saw you over here and thought I’d join you if that’s okay?”

“Of course.”

She took a seat on the chair next to mine, crossing her legs in a way that proved not all women had cottage cheese on their upper thighs. “I’m not a fan of big groups of people I don’t know.”

“I’m not a fan of big groups of people, period.” The admission sounded different in my head. Not quite as anti-social as it came out. “But especially when I don’t know them.” Nope, that didn’t help.

“So how do you know Nikki?”

“Umm … through social media. I’m doing the centerpieces for her wedding.”