Page 33 of Just Home for the Holidays
Not one text message.
It was unlike him to be so quiet.
Had she scared him off?
Had she said too much?
She sat down and sent him a message.
How do I get that secret?
He didn’t reply until lunch. By then, she was sure he wouldn’t reply, but he called.
“Sorry, I missed your text. It’s been a crazy morning.” He sounded flustered, which wasn’t like Hunter at all.
“Work?”
“No, I’m not in until one. Had to pick up the suit, and make somearrangements.”
“You don’t need to make any arrangements for tonight. I have the tickets and—”
“And you have it all planned,” he teased. “Don’t forget that I have a copy of the schedule. The thing is that even a fake date has to have an upside.”
“Why don’t I like the sound of that?”
“Because you’re risk-averse. Because you distrust surprise. But I’m going to try to teach you to embrace surprise.”
“Don’t do that,” Chloe said.
“Not all surprises are bad ones. Horses teach you that.”
“Horses again. What do you know about horses?”
“They taught me that there’s no such thing as total control. Sometimes, you have to go with the flow. Like you. Tonight. You’ll need to go with the flow.”
“I don’t like the sound of this...”
“I know.” He laughed. “But tell you what: I’ll give you a second chance at a secret.”
“Just for going with the flow?”
“Yes.” He sounded so excited about whatever he was planning that Chloe found herself smiling. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
“I hope so.”
“I have walnuts,” he said.
Chloe gasped. “No! You said it was no risk...”
Hunter laughed. “Go with the flow,” he whispered wickedly and then he was gone, leaving her blushing and staring at her phone.
What was he up to?
And when had she last looked forward to one of her mom’s parties so much? Going with Hunter made all the difference. It wouldn’t be predictable, stiff, or dull and to Chloe’s own surprise, that made her look forward to it.
What would Hunter do?
She couldn’t wait to find out.
