Well, fuck.
I had helped a runaway bride escape.
And I had kissed her.
I downed the rest of my whisky in one straight shot.
“I cannot believe that Dante just sprang a wedding on you,” Felicia said, shaking her head as we settled onto the sectional in her glamorous living room. “That’s just bonkers.”
“Very bonkers. I didn’t mean to panic and run away, but what was I supposed to do? Just marry him? Storm up the aisle and tell him no? Running seemed like the best option.”
“Given his texts it’s obvious that was the right choice.” She shook her head. “Bastard.” She turned to her husband, Michael, who had sat down beside her. “Why are men so ridiculous?”
“I’m not answering that,” he said, calmly. “But for what it’s worth, I’m not a fan of surprises.”
Felicia grinned. “Oh, you mean like finding out we were having a baby about five minutes after we met?”
He laughed. “No. That was an amazing surprise.” He stood up. “I’ll let you ladies trash Dante and men in general. I’m going to bed.”
“We only trash people who deserve it,” she told him, as he kissed the top of her head. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Michael,” I said. “Sorry for cockblocking tonight when your baby is at your parents.”
He laughed. “You better be. You owe me one.”
“I’ll babysit anytime you want.”
“Deal.” Michael gave a wave and left the room. He was a good guy and Felicia was insanely happy with him.
Their domestic bliss was reassuring after a tumultuous few weeks in my own life. I hadn’t realized how stressed I had been about breaking up with Dante until I had spent the night ignoring his rude ass texts. While being charmed by Brandon, who hadn’t asked for my number, which sucked. I could have offered it, but the moment felt perfect exactly the way it was, to be honest. I hadn’t wanted to ruin it.
“You were conned into sitting,” Felicia said. “I’m still going to shag my husband as soon as I go to bed.”
“Won’t he be asleep?”
“When has that ever stopped a man? I’ll just wake him up.”
“Very true. Good plan.”
I thought about my conversation with Brandon, a nagging question popping back up.
“Hey, what does it mean when a guy says he likes piña coladas and getting caught in the rain?” I asked Felicia, bending over to unstrap my high heels one at a time. “And something about sex at midnight on the dunes.”
“It’s a song,” she said. “From the seventies, I think. My mum loved it. But more recently I remember it from Shrek.”
“Ooooh, that’s where I’ve heard that before, oh my God. On the dating game bit in the first movie.” Though I still wasn’t sure what that had to do with anything. Was he just avoiding telling me anything personal about himself? Had it just been a joke?
“If you listen to the actual song, the guy is trying to cheat on his significant other.”
“What? Hold on.” I took my phone out of my purse and typed the lyrics into it. The song popped up and I scanned it. “Holy shit, it is! What the hell, why did Brandon bring that song up then?”
“You know what that means, don’t you? Your carriage ride rescue man is married.”
“No!” Oh, damn it. Boo. Hiss. Bummer. I flung myself onto my back on the couch. “There is no proof that he’s married. Or has a girlfriend.”
In no way had he acted like a man who was committed to another woman. If anything, he’d acted like there was nowhere he really had to be. Nor had he tried to suggest we hookup, which was obviously what a cheat would do. They would try to cheat.
“It feels like a fairly large hint, but maybe I’m wrong. I’m probably wrong. Maybe it meant nothing at all, just that he likes piña coladas.” Felicia looked contrite.
I thought about that perfect, magical Christmas kiss.
“I don’t think he’s married.” I sighed and sat back up.
Or was he? He hadn’t asked for my number or invited me to his place.
He’d said he would see me again, if fate allowed.
Maybe that was a sign he was attached. Or a sign he was unattached. I had no clue.
He had been just what I needed.
That much I was absolutely sure about.
“I’ll probably never see him again anyway,” I said. “There are eight million people in New York.”
“At least you’re not ending this night with a husband,” Felicia said.
Thank all the Christmas stars for that. Yikes. “And I didn’t waste this amazing dress.”
I peeled off my brand-new inexpensive coat. Something was popping out of the pocket.
It was the sprig of mistletoe from Brandon.
I shoved it back in the coat pocket and smiled.
Exactly what I had needed.
Thanks for reading Holiday Husband! What happens when Dakota and Brandon see each other again?
Find out in Halftime Husband!
About the Author
USA Today and New York Times Bestselling author Erin McCarthy has written almost eighty novels and novellas in the romance and mystery genres. Erin has a special weakness for tattoos, high-heeled boots, and martinis. She lives with her renovation-addicted husband and their blended family of kids and rescue dogs.
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Also by Erin McCarthy
Weekend Wife
Five First Dates
Forty Day Fiancé
Who’s the Boss?
Halftime Husband