A Celebration Christmas

The only thing worse than being left at the altar was being dumped on national television.

While she knew her friends would only have the kids’ best interest at heart, the memory of Lily’s own experience still burned.

“Don’t worry,” said Sydney. “We’ll pay you for the bread that is sold. If the kids want to work the booth, I’m sure we can pay them for their help, too.”

Sydney was eyeing Lily as if she was trying to gauge her agreement. Pepper and A.J. nodded.

“Think about it and talk to Dr. Studly,” Sydney said. “And let us know.”

“Dr. Studly?” Lily asked, her girl parts loving the moniker.

“Yes! Don’t you think that’s an apt name for him?” Pepper asked as she reached for the lone package left in the center of the table. “He’s gorgeous.”

Just like that, Pepper steered the conversation in a different direction. Lily’s heart sank. Her opening to talk about Dr. Studly had come and gone before she could seize the moment.

“I’ll take this to Kate,” Pepper said, putting the unopened package next to her purse. “Speaking of… Kate called the office this morning asking Becca to help you. Did you have car trouble this morning, Lily?”

Lily felt her cheeks heat. “Oh, that. I did. But it all worked out. It was very sweet of Kate to offer to help.”

“Is that what your call to me was about?” Sydney asked. “But then you texted back that all was fine, that I didn’t need to call you back. Was everything okay?”

Lily waved her off. “Everything was fine. I was a little concerned at first because I was out with the kids and it was so much colder this morning than it had been. But everything worked out. We’re all safe and sound.”

After Cullen had shown up, Lily had texted both Sydney and Becca, telling them not to worry, that the crisis was over and they didn’t need to call her back.

She’d felt as if she’d been a big enough pain in the neck sending out the SOS in the first place; she wanted to minimize it as much as possible once she and the kids were safe and back on the road.

“So, what happened?” Sydney asked. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to pick up when you called. I was in a meeting for the holiday market.”

“No worries,” she said. “Cullen rented an SUV for me to drive the kids. We had such a crazy morning that I forgot to check the gas gauge and I ran out of gas. I feel so stupid. I mean, how irresponsible is that?”

For a split second she wondered if this would be a good segue into the kiss and the promise.

No. Maybe not.

Since Pepper and Kate were sisters-in-law and Kate was married to Liam Thayer, who worked with Cullen at the hospital, she didn’t want to take the chance that Pepper, who was famous for being a good friend but not being able to keep a secret, might say something to Kate, who might say something to Liam, who in turn might tell Cullen.

She picked up the menu and pretended to study the appetizers.

This crush suddenly felt very schoolgirlish.

Still, she couldn’t take the chance of embarrassing herself and making things any more awkward than they already were.

“So, who brought you the gas?” Sydney asked.

“Cullen did,” Lily said. “I think the baked Brie and the margarita salad sound like good choices for appetizers. What do you think?”

She didn’t even have to look up from the menu to know that three pairs of eyes were locked on her.

Oh, boy, she’d taken a wrong turn trying to play it off so nonchalantly.

“So, Dr. Studly, the renowned workaholic, took precious time out of his day to bring you some gas?” Pepper asked.

“He did.”

There was expectation in the silence before A.J. finally said, “I’m happily married, but can we take a moment to acknowledge the indisputable fact that Cullen Dunlevy is hot? I’m just saying.”

Yes! And he kissed me. And he wants to kiss me again.

All three women murmured and nodded appreciatively, as if A.J. had presented solid evidence for why Cullen should be named the eighth wonder of the world.

Lily would support that cause.

This was one of the reasons why she had become such fast friends with these women. They knew a good thing when they saw it.