The Christmas He Loved Her (Bad Boys of Crystal Lake 2)

“So, your sister-in-law, Raine…”

He cut her off before she could go any further. “We’re not talking about her.”

“You’re in love with her.”

He glared at her, though he didn’t bother denying it. What was the point? Aside from the fact that it was the truth, Lily St. Clare was tenacious and wouldn’t let it go. It wasn’t her nature, especially since sticking her nose in his business gave her something to focus on other than the sad state of her own personal affairs. When it came to a fucked-up past, she was running neck and neck in that race with him.

But this was hitting a little too close to home.

“Lily, I don’t want to talk about her.”

She made a face but relented, though for how long was anyone’s guess. He tossed the remainder of his coffee into the sink and glanced at the clock. It was now nearly seven, and he knew he’d better hop in the shower and do something about the state of his appearance, or his mother was going to worry. After everything she’d been through, that was the last thing he wanted.

“Your dad is feeling up to an outing, so your parents invited us to some”—she smiled at him—“thing in your little town this afternoon, and I said we’d be more than happy to go with them.”

Shit, here we go.

Friday after Thanksgiving meant only one thing. The town-wide Black Friday extravaganza. Every single store would be open, filled to the brim with overzealous shopping crowds out for the best deal they could find, and overzealous townsfolk all wanting to know where the hell he’d been for the last year and a half.

Jake could not think of any other place he’d rather not be.

“Why the hell would they do that?” His brow furled into a thunderous line, hating the feeling like he was being fenced in, forced into a corner he couldn’t get out of. And that made him feel even more guilty than he already did. He should have been chomping at the bit to spend more time with his parents. They deserved it, and deep down he knew that he needed it. The precipice he’d teetered on for months was starting to crumble, and he needed something solid and concrete to hold him steady or he was in danger of falling.

He thought back to Texas. If he fell again, he wasn’t so sure there was anyone who could bring him back. A cat only had so many lives, and he was pretty sure he’d used all of his up.

Lily shrugged. “Your parents love me.”

“They barely know you,” he muttered, still confused by the back-and-forth his emotions were putting him through.

“Are you trying to tell me that I’m not lovable?” She pouted cheekily.

She knew damn well she wasn’t lovable, or cute. She was beautiful—striking, really—but definitely more Nordic chill than warm and fuzzy. Lily St. Clare was one of the most prickly females he’d ever had the pleasure of meeting, and her cool blond looks exemplified the glass shell she liked to hide beneath. Tequila had allowed him to see beneath the surface, and after their failed attempt to find comfort in each other’s arms, something else had happened. Something unexpected but much needed for the both of them.

Friendship.

“I couldn’t say no. Besides, I’m pretty sure your mother thinks we’re involved, and I didn’t have the heart to set her straight on that one.”

He groaned, thought of Raine’s words, and shook his head. “What the hell is up with that?”

Lily bristled at his tone. “They care about you, jackass, and obviously the thought of having a woman in your life makes them happy. They’re concerned and have every right to be. You’re a mess.”

“Guess that’s why we get along so good.” Jake glared at the blonde, not in the mood for her high-handed attitude. All he wanted was a long, hot shower. It wasn’t too much to ask for, was it? Hell, he’d spent the night not sleeping on a sofa that didn’t exactly fit his long frame. The least Lily could do was get the hell out of his way and let him by.

“Look.” Lily stood and faced him.

So much for getting out of my way.

“This was your idea. I was perfectly okay staying in Texas for the holidays, but you needed backup, and I get that.”

“Lily—”

“I’m not finished.”

Irritated, Jake folded his arms across his chest and hoped that she’d make this quick. Over the last year, as he’d got to know the woman, one thing about her had become pretty apparent. She liked to talk. And she liked to be right. In some ways she was a lot like Raine, which wasn’t surprising, since it seemed to be his bad fortune to surround himself with females who annoyed the hell out of him.

“Your mom and dad think that we’re sleeping together.”

“I told my mother we weren’t.”