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Tara hopped off the couch and grabbed the bottle of Fireball, “I agree! I’m going on a guyiatus! That’s a guy-hiatus, for anyone confused.”
Tara filled up the shot glasses again, while Merry grabbed her container of enchiladas and rice and beans. “I did that this year and it was liberating. I finally feel prepared to get back into the dating pool.”
Sally sat across from her on the sofa with her feet tucked up under her, green eyes on Merry as she took a bite of her taco before mumbling, “And you’ve set your sights on your neighbor?”
“No. He isn’t ready to date and I am done with people who aren’t looking for the whole shebang.”
“Still, you know what they say about the quiet ones,” Tara called from the kitchen. Instead of bringing the shots in to share, she took all three in succession. “They’re all about the control in the bedroom. Anyone want another shot?”
Merry nodded absently; an image of Clark naked lounging in her bed rippled through her mind. What she imagined he looked like, anyway.
Tara set the shots on the side table and went back for her food.
Sally leaned close, whispering, “It’s gonna be a long night.”
Chapter 7
Clark
Clark sat down next to Jace at the Winters dinner table the following night, keeping his head down while Chris Winters said grace, his right hand held by his son. The family had lengthened the table so Chris and Victoria sat on the ends, while Holly, Nick, and Noel were situated across from Clark, Jace, and Merry, her soft hand fitted into his.
Clark’s knee bounced under the table, checking the clock again. It was ten after six and in just over two hours, he’d be sitting down with KnottyGirl25 over drinks.
“Amen.”
Everyone released hands and he sat back, running his hands over his thighs to calm the motion. He didn’t want to give the Winters family the impression their invitation to family dinner wasn’t appreciated. Erica, his babysitter, wouldn’t be there until eight and if he’d skipped dinner to stay home, he’d probably be pacing the living room and changing his shirt again. He’d sweated his way through a T-shirt and polo already and he needed to remember to reapply deodorant before he walked out the door.
He turned his head to discreetly sniff just as Merry reached to pick up the bread basket. Her wavy blond hair fell forward, obscuring the upturned nose and Cupid’s bow mouth. He pretended to crack his neck so she wouldn’t realize what he’d been about to do. She was another complication he hadn’t seen coming. Although he was eager to meet KnottyGirl25, Merry had occupied a number of his thoughts last night and he found himself analyzing everything she’d said to him. He repeatedly told himself it was a bad idea to get involved with her, for a number of reasons, but a tiny voice at the back of his mind kept whispering, “What if it works out, though?”
After taking a roll, she tucked her hair back and held the basket out to him with a smile. “Want?”
Clark’s gaze dropped to her lips. “What?”
“Do you want a roll?”
“Yes, yeah, of course. Thanks.” Clark took one for himself and set another on Jace’s plate before passing it along to Chris, his face burning. The ease he’d experienced in her presence yesterday was replaced by a jumpiness reminiscent of the teenaged boy he used to be.
It could also be that his date tonight already had him on edge, but he didn’t think so. Something changed after their chat and Clark didn’t like it. He wanted to go back to thinking Merry was a nice girl who lived down the way, instead of the funny, sexy woman who smelled like Christmas cookies.
“How’s planning going for the festival, Merry?” Chris asked.
“Great! Sixty-six businesses in Mistletoe have put down a deposit for trees. My goal is eighty, but that’s sixteen more than last year and I still have a few weeks. I’ll get there.”
“I knew I suggested the right woman for the job,” Victoria murmured, winking at Merry, who snorted.
“Yeah, thanks for that. No more volunteering me for things this year, please. I’m up to my eyeballs in responsibility.”
Nick snapped his fingers. “Damn. I was hoping to convince you to help me deliver premade meals for Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
“Me?” Merry squeaked.
“Well, all of you. I agreed to help out, but we had a lot more people sign up for meals than we were expecting and I need more drivers to help out.”
Clark held up his hand. “I’d be happy to help.”
Nick shot him a grateful smile. “Thanks, man.”
“When do they have to be delivered?” Holly asked.
