“It appears so,” she said dryly. Her brother was making good on his word of taking good care of Tate.
Tate carried the last tree to Alex’s truck. He was drenched in pine needles and sap.
He must really hate me. His hands were killing him where the needles dug into his skin. Getting out of sticky and prickly situations wasn’t usually hard for him, but it had never been so literal either. He needed to talk to Alex and make peace before Amanda’s brother made him count each needle.
“So, Alex,” Tate said, leaning the final tree gently against the truck. He was sure this was only the beginning of the torture Alex planned on inflicting on him today. Time to address the elephant in the room.
Alex eyed him, reaching down to grab more rope.
Was her brother planning on choking him in broad daylight? On Christmas Eve, no less?
Alex ignored him and tied the last tree.
Tate let out a slow breath. “You seemed suprised to see me last night, and I think I know why.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Alex yanked on the rope.
“I know Amanda’s filled you in on our love/hate relationship. It’s really not like that anymore.”
Alex glanced up. “Look. I don’t know you, but Mandy is my sister. I’m going to always look out for her. Got it?”
“Yeah, man. Definitely understand, but you should know that I’m crazy about her. I have been for quite some time.” He was slightly taken aback by his delcaration, but it felt good to reveal his feelings out loud. Even if it wasn’t to Amanda.
Jack appeared with a red duffle bag over his shoulder. “Ready to go, boys?” He eyed Tate. “Why, son, look at you. You are covered in sap and needles.” He reached over and brushed some spruce off Tate’s jacket onto the fresh snow. Why aren’t you wearing gloves? Alex keeps a couple spares in his glove compartment.”
“He does?” Tate asked coolly.
Jack nodded. “Alex, go get Tate some gloves.” He rummaged through his duffle bag. “Here.” He handed Tate a bottle of cooking spray. “Spray this on your hands. It will take the sap right off.”
“Thanks.” Tate took the spray.
“An old trick Diane taught me. She read it in one of her magazines.”
“Hey, Dad, we ready to rock-n-roll?” Alex came around from the front of the truck and flung a pair of brown work gloves at Tate. “No hard feelings,” he said slyly.
“None,” Tate responded, trying his best to not sound annoyed.
Jack waved his hands up in the air. “Hold on a second. You boys aren’t quite ready. Alex’s mother will have my head if I don’t have you both wear these.” He pulled two red sweaters out of his duffle bag. “Amanda said this should fit.” He handed Tate a sweater.
Tate started to laugh. “Thank you, sir.”
“What’s so funny?” Alex threw his on and proudly patted the Christmas tree in the middle of his chest. “Afraid one of your fans will see? Relax. I doubt you’ll be recognized here.”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just I have a similar sweater. I had it on yesterday. Your grandmother seemed to like it,” Tate said smugly. He took off his jacket and pulled the sweater over his flannel shirt. Alex was inches from his face.
“I’m watching you, Casanova.”
Tate smiled wryly. He might need a Christmas miracle to get through this day unharmed.
Amanda walked back up to the house, the mandatory Christmas sweater tucked under her arm. Something about wearing the same thing as Tate made her a little giddy.
Their colleagues at the station would die if they saw them in matching sweaters. She’d try to remember to snatch their picture at some point today.
On second thought, that would only bring probing questions as to why they spent Christmas together. Better not to have any physical proof of this weekend.
Her parents’ driveway now bustled with activity as her mother’s volunteers scrambled to load their cars with decorations. It was going to be a wonderful day.
She needed to get back inside—she hadn’t meant to be gone so long. It’s just that she’d enjoyed her earlier talks with Tate and then with her dad. Wasn’t that what this time of year was about? Connecting with the ones you love . . .
Whoa! Where did that come from? She wasn’t in love with Tate. Having a faux boyfriend must be going to her head. Still, she had to admit, the lighter moments spent with him were helping her remember how much she really did enjoy this time of year. Making out with him was certainly the most enjoyable of those moments. The way his lips caressed hers . . .
“Amanda!” Alex’s girlfriend, Brenda, ran over to greet her. Always stylish since they were in high school, she had on a cute black ski jacket with matching black snow boots. Her mandatory sweater looked great with black tights.
“Brenda!” Amanda hugged her childhood friend. Brenda was a couple years older than Alex, but they had known each other almost all their lives.
Amanda wholeheartedly approved of the relationship. Brenda’s maturity and wholesomeness grounded her smart-aleck brother.
“I hoped to run into you this morning. It’s nice to see you with your clothes on.” She giggled.
Amanda drew back. “Not you, too? Did the whole town see us?”
“I thought for a second Alex orchestrated a Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus strip poker game upstairs and didn’t invite me!” she teased.
“Nope. Although it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if he did organize one at some point this weekend. You still have some time to make your elf costume.” Amanda winked.
Brenda laughed and then gave Amanda a devilish grin. “So is the rumor true? Is your co-anchor the guy you brought home and got hot and heavy with last night? I couldn’t quite tell from down below.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Amanda brought her hand to her chest and feigned modesty. “I would never do anything of the sort.”
“Yeah, right. I think I know my best friend better than that,” Brenda fired back. “Dish, girl.”
They entered the house and proceeded to the kitchen. “Fine, yes, it’s true. Tate’s with Dad right now.”
Brenda let out a squeal and grabbed Amanda’s arm. “That’s awesome! I watch your news show on the Internet all the time. Man, Tate Ryan is one gorgeous guy.”
He sure is. Brenda didn’t know the half of it. “He is, isn’t he?”
She leaned on the kitchen island feeling a little flushed from remembering how awesome Tate’s arms felt around her as he carried her to the bed. If she hadn’t moved out from under him would they have taken it further?
Perhaps she’d have to think up some reason to resume physical contact later today. Strategically hang some mistletoe around the house. Maybe over their bed. Now she was being silly, but gosh darn it, it felt good.
“Earth to Amanda.” Brenda waved her hand in front of Amanda.
“Sorry. She snapped back to the present and fanned her face. “Is it hot in here?”
“I’m fine.” Brenda smirked.
“So who else saw us?”
“Just Brad and me.”
“Really? So my mom wasn’t with you two?”
“God, no. How awkward would have that been? Hey, Mrs. Turner. Look up there. It’s your daughter doing a strip tease.” She laughed. “No. It was just the two of us. We were having a beer. Alex had gone to bed, but I still needed to unwind a bit.”
Amanda let out a huge sigh. “Thank goodness. I knew Brad was lying.”
“Lying about what?”
“Oh, nothing. He just insinuated that my mom had been out there, too.”
“Stirring the pot. That’s Brad for you.” She put her hand on Amanda’s shoulder. “Hey, how are you holding up?”