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Simpson.” She took a drink of beer and studied him. After a second, she handed him the other beer. “I’m here with Finn’s sister. She’s a tiny blonde wearing a gorgeous red dress. Find her and bring her this for me. Her name is Phoebe.”
    He raised a brow at her, and she smiled. “Do it. You can thank me in your wedding toast.” He laughed, and then his throat caught just a little bit as he remembered all the thoughts that had run through his head in the hours between leaving Phee at the diner and returning Saturday night to find her gone. Yes, he had to admit, even random thoughts of marriage had crossed his mind during that great day.
    All to be shattered later that night.
    He started to hand the bottle of beer back to Lizzie. “You know what? I don’t think I’m in the best mood—”  
    Lizzie pushed the bottle back at him. “Red dress. Can’t miss her. Do it.”
    Man, he could see how she made a living telling professional athletes and politicians how to run their lives. He gave in, said “Congratulations” to the still hugging and kissing Katie and Darío as he passed them and exited the kitchen into the great room.
    He scanned the room looking for a tiny blonde in a red dress and his mind went back to the tiny blonde he wished were in the room. God, Phee would look incredible in a red dress. Maybe a little strapless number that would caress those hot curves.  
    But nobody in the room matched Lizzie’s description of her sister-in-law, and Charlie moved to the other side of the room, leaning against the built-in bookcases that surrounded the huge stone fireplace.
    He’d been here a couple of times during the renovation when Petey had wanted his feedback, but he hadn’t been back since the flooring and paint had been done, and certainly not with all the furnishings and accessories in. The great room was a great room—earth tones complementing the stone fireplace, splashes of color here and there. It looked like they’d rearranged the furniture a bit for the party, clearing out a spot right in front of the huge window that overlooked the lake. The huge Christmas tree stood in the middle of that area, and boughs of holly framed the fireplace. The furniture was pushed back and curved around, leaving a spot open, almost like someone was going to sing later or something.  
    Charlie wouldn’t put it past Petey to fly in some hotshot pop star to perform at his holiday as a surprise to his guests, and possibly even to Alison.  
    There didn’t seem to be any evidence of a band or piano or anything, though. The stereo system was behind Charlie, and he made his way over to it, placing the beer for the blonde on one of shelves next to it. Holiday music was currently playing on someone’s iPod in the docking station, but several CDs were scattered on top of the receiver as well, as if waiting their turn. One in particular caught Charlie’s eye, and he opened the case and put the CD in the player. When he had it set to the right track, he cut the iPod and switched the audio to the CD.
    The beginning horn section of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” sounded, and Charlie took a swig of his beer, remembering the last time he’d heard the song.

 
    Chapter Six
     
    The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the Bad Girls Live.
    ~ George Carlin
     
    Friday night after Thanksgiving.
    “A nd number five? That would have to be Top Gun .”
    “Seriously? Top Gun is in your top five? Over Princess Bride ? Over Citizen Kane ?” Phee asked him.
    Charlie shrugged. “I didn’t judge yours. Sense and Sensibility ? Seriously?” he said, mimicking her tone.
    She giggled. “Come on. It’s a classic.”
    “But not nearly as cool as Top Gun .”
    Their hands were tangled, had been in some form of contact since folding the napkins nearly two hours earlier. Except for when Phee had crossed to the jukebox and put what must have been twenty quarters in, since they’d had soft standards