Your Christmas Love (The Bennett Family 10)

That wasn’t Sienna, but the voice was vaguely familiar, even though the woman talked in a low whisper.

“Who is this?”

“Pippa. We met in Sienna’s office and then at my parents’ house, remember?”

“Yes. Is Sienna with you?”

“Yup.”

“Can I talk to her?”

“Nope.”

I tapped my fingers on the handle of my bag, worry gripping me, wrapping around me like a vise.

“Did something happen to her?”

Please say no. Please.

“Yeah. Too much eggnog. Too much duck. Too many cupcakes.”

“I’m not following.”

“Look, she was a little down today, and the girls and I decided to entertain her. She could really use talking to you, though.”

“I agree. Put her on the phone.”

“No, see... I think you should come in person. Whatever you have to say, those green eyes and your general alpha vibes will tip the balance in your favor.”

I didn’t know whether to laugh or not.

“Where are you?”

“At Nadine Hawthorne’s store. You can find the address online. I’ve had too much eggnog myself to type.”

“Why are you whispering?”

“Because I’m hiding from the girls.”

My gut clenched. “Sienna doesn’t want to talk to me?”

“She does... at least she did a few hours ago. Not sure where she stands now, which is why I’m showing some initiative.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Ha! Don’t appreciate it yet. You hurt Sienna, and I’ll kick your ass. And I have reinforcements.”

This time, I did laugh. “I bet you do. I’ve just landed. I’m looking up the address as soon as I hang up, and I’m coming directly there. Can you keep Sienna at the store a while longer?”

Pippa giggled. “You still have so much to learn about the way girls’ nights out work in the Bennett family. I’ll give you a tip: we know when they start. You can never tell when they end.”

“I’ll remember that. And thanks, Pippa.”

I arrived at the store almost forty minutes later, and practically jumped out of the Uber before it had even stopped.

Nadine Hawthorne’s shop was the only one with lights on. My eyes bulged. When Pippa had said they were on a girls’ nights out, I had imagined... I didn’t know what, but not this. They were having a party inside. Some of the girls were dancing. I spotted Sienna among them, and my whole body felt lighter.

I knocked at the glass door, but no one heard me over the music, so I just went inside. The bell above the door rang, and all movement stopped. The dancing girls stilled. The conversation ceased.