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Holly went ahead and got one for Nick too, setting the cans in front of them. “It’s okay, I’ll figure it out, but I want to have Adventure Elf retired by the new year.”
“You could take that dude from Utah up on his offer and do a series about a perpetually single woman dating men from the internet,” Nick said.
“And give Mom and Dad a coronary? No thanks.”
“Well, if you ever get worried about shifty fans showing up, we’ve got a really comfy couch,” Noel said.
“Or you could get a roommate or two,” Nick blurted out, glaring at Noel.
“I’ve thought about roommates, but I like my space. Unless it was a fantastic friend or someone I trusted who was in a hard place, I couldn’t imagine living with anyone.”
Noel nodded. “I thought the same thing until I moved in with this guy. Now I couldn’t imagine sleeping without his snoring.”
“Aww, babe.” Nick leaned over and kissed Noel, who turned a deep shade of red.
“Grossly romantic,” Holly deadpanned.
Noel laughed. “Despite your brother’s lack of enthusiasm, the door is always open to you, Hol.”
“Thanks, but I’ve got Kringle now to protect me.”
Noel cocked her head. “Kringle?”
Holly waved to the bat propped against the wall and Noel and Nick laughed.
“Great name. Declan’s going to hate it though.”
She grinned. “I know. It’s going to be great!”
CHAPTER 10
Saturday morning, declan sat at the kitchen table drinking his morning coffee and waiting for his dad to get up. Declan had been letting Liam do his thing all week without prying, but he felt like a parent worrying about a rebellious teenager. He wouldn’t tell his dad that, but when Liam strolled in after midnight last night Declan had been ready to rip into Liam for worrying him. But his dad had a pretty good buzz on, smiling and singing his way down the hall. Whoever this mystery friend was, they weren’t good for his dad and Declan planned on telling him so.
With as much finesse as possible.
His phone vibrated beside him several times and when he checked his phone, Holly had sent him a dozen Christmas GIFs via text message, the last of a young Grinch lifting a Christmas tree with the caption I HATE CHRISTMAS!
The final message was a picture of Holly standing in front of a tree holding a hammer ornament with a bow on it.
You could come help, you know.
Declan grinned and sent her a picture of him with his coffee. Some of us have to work today.
Liam’s door opened and closed, and Declan heard the familiar sound of shuffling feet before Liam crossed the threshold into the kitchen, squinting at Declan. “You’re up early.”
Declan set his phone off to the side, ignoring the vibration. “It’s after nine, Dad.”
“Is it? Huh. Shouldn’t you be opening the store?”
“I’m opening it late today. Got to get my tux for Clark’s wedding.”
“Clark who?”
Declan didn’t get upset that his dad didn’t remember him talking about Clark. The two of them had never met. “Just a friend. He’s engaged to Merry Winters.”
“Is that Chris and Victoria’s girl? The redhead?”
“No, that’s Holly. Merry is blonde.”
