Read Beyond the Mistletoe: A Christmas Romance (Beyond Love Book 7) for Free Online

It’s the cutest ever.” Brandy pulled the hat over her head to her ears and batted her lashes while Lily dug in next.
    “They’re all the same.” Gabby informed us, pulling the same items out of her inside coat pockets. How she fit the scarf in there I had no idea, but it spoke to the size of the coat. “I thought we could all wear them today for pictures.”
    I quickly dug through the tissue paper and pulled out the softest pair of gloves I’d ever touched.
    “These are amazing,” I said, tugging the hat out next. “The yarn is like touching a cloud.”
    “I couldn’t resist. I thought at least parts of us needed to look like a candy cane.”
    “That we will,” Lily agreed. “But sexy candy canes.”
    “Did someone say sexy?” Jason asked, walking up behind Gabby. He was dressed in a bulky green sweater and worn jeans. He held a black knit cap in one hand and his jacket in the other.
    “I was just telling the girls how happy I was to marry the most sexy man in the universe,” Gabby fibbed. “Wasn’t that right?”
    We all nodded in agreement, and Jason beamed.
    “It’s nice to know my status has upgraded from world to universe.” He bent down and gave Gabby a kiss on the cheek, and I swear I could feel the sparks between them from several feet away. “I see a couple of the guys already in the bar. I’ll go round them up.”
    “Thank you,” Gabby said, her hand lingering on his hip before he walked away.
    “He is so in love with you,” I said, smiling as Gabby watched him enter the bar.
    “I’m one lucky girl.” She turned her attention back to us. “I’ve got one more set for Tori, but I haven’t seen her yet.”
    “They’re here. Ayden said the hotel let them check in early this morning, and Tori took a shower and fell asleep. He woke her up a few minutes ago. Tori had chaperoned a school field trip yesterday that went a little awry and she was exhausted. She couldn’t fall asleep until after two last night and then they woke up at six to get here.”
    Ayden and Mason were twin brothers, and Tori was Mason’s new girlfriend and a complete sweetheart.
    “Phew. I was worried they might not make it up here.” Gabby genuinely looked relieved and sank into the chair.
    “So what do you think about the selection?” Lily turned her attention to me and wriggled her eyebrows.
    “Selection?” I glanced down at my scarf set. “It’s very generous, and I love the pattern. I couldn’t have picked out a better holiday set myself.”
    Gabby chuckled and Brandy shook her head.
    “Of men,” Lily said, completely exasperated. “ Of men .”
    “What do you mean of men?” I eyed her suspiciously. “I thought it was only Eric I was supposed to notice.”
    “Was it only Eric you noticed?” Lily asked, pressing her usually plump lips together into a thin line. I felt like a contestant at the National Spelling Bee or something as all three pairs of eyes waited for my answer.
    I blushed as my mind flashed back to Derek. The mere thought of him made my body tingle, and that had never happened in the several decades I’d lived on this planet. In fact, I was certain when I saw him today, I’d find out it was all in my head, strategically placed by champagne and hard cider. Grown women weren’t supposed to get flutters and electrical currents traveling through their bodies, unless there was a pacemaker installed.
    “Earth to Emily,” Lily chuckled. “I think you just answered my question.”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I glanced around the lodge and noticed the large antler chandelier dangling over us. I wondered if they were real. I wondered anything to stay away from the conversation.
    “I thought with the particular drought we’re dealing with, it was only fair to bring two,” Lily whispered, touching my knee gently.
    “Drought?” I coughed, catching Derek out of the corner of my eye. In the bar, he slapped Eric’s back as they both laughed heartily, and I