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Beth huffs. “Ye of little faith. I knew we’d come up with something.”

I snort. “You were panicking five minutes ago.”

She grimaces. “You think Wallace was on to me?”

I hold my hands up like scales. “You were semiconvincing, but the guy seems to be more astute than he looks.”

“Flies under the radar, that one. But he’s always watching.”

Beth is dead serious. I resist the urge to ask her if she’d be interested in him romantically. Better to let that—potential—relationship play out organically. Friends or not, the thought of getting in the middle of Beth’s personal life and having the inside scoop on her feelings for another guy makes me want to gag.

“You know what this means?” she asks.

“What?”

She shimmies her shoulders. “It’s rhyme time.”

I let my head fall back. “Why did I agree to this again?”

“Because you love me. Now come on.”

Beth starts spitting out potential stanzas, but my brain keeps repeating Because you love me.

I thought I’d put those feelings for Beth in my rearview. But being here, in Dasher Valley, and spending time with her has made it abundantly clear that I still feel something where she’s concerned.

What to do about it is the question. She doesn’t want me—not since I’m a famous musician who lives out of town.

So fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-friend-zone.

Christmas Dash Rhyme #2

When planning for the dash

And writing out these clues,

We stopped and realized

An important bit of news.

The holidays are fun,

Of that there is no doubt.

But with so much to do,

we often rush about.

So the theme for the Dash is a simple one.

We want you to stop and savor,

To slow down and enjoy

Every sight and sound and flavor.

Now that you have your holiday sweaters

And are caffeinated to boot,