“Well, we went to some of the coolest places,” Brendan said. “She was great to travel with. I’ve missed that. And her. That’s why I’m here.”
“And you’re here to . . .”
“Surprise Riley,” Brendan said with a boyish grin. “I already have some great dates planned—just the kind she loves.”
Luke had no words.
“Don’t worry. I know she’s here to work,” Brendan rushed on. “I know she’s hosting this Christmas Camp, but when she does have time off, I plan to spend as much time with her as possible because I’m not leaving here without her.”
“You’re not?” Luke asked, masking his surprise as best he could.
Brendan shook his head. “No way. I lost her once, and now that I know she still thinks of me as the one, I’m not going to lose her again.”
Luke was saved from commenting when Caylee walked back into the room and smiled brightly at Brendan.
“Another Christmas Camper,” she said happily.
Luke faked his own cheerfulness. “And another . . . friend of Riley’s.”
The way Luke said friend had Caylee giving Brendan a curious look before she glanced back at Luke.
“Well, I’m Caylee, and it’s nice to meet you. So, let me guess, you’re surprising Riley?”
Brendan smiled and nodded. “That’s right. Where is she now? I can’t wait to see her . . .”
Caylee jumped in before Luke could say anything. “Riley’s upstairs getting ready for the party tonight. You’ll be able to see her then. She wants to make an entrance, you know?”
“Yeah, sure,” Brendan said. “That will give me a chance to plan something special.”
“Like . . . ?” Luke asked. He hadn’t meant his voice to sound so sharp. He hurried to continue in a better tone. “We just have a pretty full night scheduled to kick off our Christmas Camp.”
“I totally get it,” Brendan said. “Don’t worry, I won’t steal the spotlight. This is Riley’s night. I was just talking about planning something for later tonight, after she’s done working.”
Caylee jumped in when Luke struggled to find his words. His felt like his brain was about to explode trying to process what was going on with these two guys and Riley.
“Brendan, why don’t I show you your room so you can get settled in?” she offered.
Luke gave Caylee a grateful look.
Brendan smiled at her. “Thanks, Caylee, that would be great. Then turned to Luke. “And thanks, Luke, for making room for me when I know you were sold out. This is going to be one epic weekend.”
“It sure is,” Luke said. “Well, see you down here later. The final schedule of activities is in your room. The cocktail party starts tonight at six.”
Caylee was already heading out of the room. Brendan followed her. “See you then.”
When Caylee let Brendan go upstairs ahead of her, she turned back to give Luke an incredulous look and mouthed the words, What is going on?
Luke shrugged because he didn’t have a clue. He felt like he was on some kind of crazy dating reality show with both Colin and Brendan showing up for Riley. A reality show that got even more insane when a third guy came through the front door next.
Only this guy looked like he belonged on Wall Street, not in the mountains. He was totally different from Colin and Brendan, who seemed pretty laid back. They’d come dressed in jeans and winter hiking boots, but this guy was wearing a black overcoat and what looked like Gucci loafers. His scarf screamed fashion, not function.
When he smiled at Luke, Luke guessed the guy’s million-dollar smile had also been bought. He looked like something out of a magazine. He was that perfect.
“Welcome to Christmas Camp,” Luke said. “I’m Luke. I’ll be one of your hosts this weekend.”
The guy frowned. “I’m here to see Riley? Riley Reynolds? She’s supposed to be hosting this.”
Luke nodded. “And she is. She will be. And you are?”
“Tyler, Tyler Caldwell. I called earlier. You found me a room last minute . . .”
Luke nodded. “Yes. You’re a friend of Riley’s.”
“From New York City,” Tyler said with pride. When he took off his coat and carefully draped it over his arm, Luke could see Tyler was wearing an immaculately cut gray designer suit with a matching classic gray tie.
Luke made the snap judgment that there was nothing casual about this guy.
When Caylee entered the room, she smiled at Tyler. “Welcome,” she said warmly. “I’m Caylee.”
“Thank you. I’m Tyler.”
“Can I take your coat for you?” Caylee offered.
“I’m fine,” Tyler said. “Where can I find Riley?” Tyler’s tone was all business.
“She’ll be at the party tonight,” Caylee said happily. “We have quite the weekend planned. We’re really happy to have you at Christmas Camp.”
“Honestly, I’m only here to see Riley,” Tyler said. “I won’t be doing any of the activities. The only thing I want to do is get Riley and me back on track.”
Luke couldn’t help but laugh a little. “Back on track?”
“Our relationship,” Tyler responded quickly. “And I don’t have a lot of time, so the sooner I can talk to Riley, the better. I really need to get back to the city for work.”
Caylee looked even more confused. “Do you work with Riley? Are you on her publishing team?”
Tyler laughed. “No, I’m a lawyer. Riley isn’t my colleague. She’s my girlfriend.”
“Wait, what?” Caylee asked, not even trying to hide her confusion as she looked over at Luke.
Luke just kept smiling, because what else was he going to do?
Tyler shifted his coat to his other arm. “More accurately, she was my girlfriend, but clearly after seeing the interview on TV and hearing her talking about me, I know she wants to get back together, so here I am.”
“Here you are,” Luke said, pretending not to see the shocked look Caylee was giving him.
“Let me guess,” Caylee said flatly. “You’re surprising her.”
Tyler nodded. “I know she’s not really into surprises, but I didn’t want to distract her from her job doing this camp. Riley always puts work first, just like I do, and that’s why we’re such a good match. We’re both career driven, and we both understand that about each other.”
Caylee was frowning. “That sounds . . .”
Luke jumped in, knowing whatever Caylee was going to say wasn’t going to be positive.
“It sounds,” Luke said, giving Caylee a warning look that Tyler couldn’t see, “like you have this all planned out.”
Tyler smiled a confident smile. “I do, and this time it’s going to work.”
Good luck with that, Luke thought to himself.
“Caylee, why don’t you show Mr. Caldwell to his room and explain the schedule and what we’re doing tonight,” Luke said.
“I would be happy to,” Caylee said. “Right this way, Mr. Caldwell.”
“Thank you,” Tyler said. “And Riley? Where would she be right now?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll explain everything,” Caylee answered as they left the room.
When Tyler walked in front of Caylee up the stairs, she turned back again and looked at Luke. She put both of her hands against her head and then pulled them away, spreading out her fingers as if she was saying, Mind blown.
Luke laughed because it was exactly how he felt.
Three guys had just shown up, and all three guys thought Riley was talking about them during her TV interview when she’d talked about her one true love. Now all three guys were all here to surprise her, and they all planned to win her back.
Even for a dating reality show this was next-level crazy, Luke thought. He looked down at Comet, who had left his spot by the fire and was now sitting by his s
ide. “Well, Comet, it looks like this is about to get very interesting.”
When Comet heard his name, he barked and wagged his tail.
Luke didn’t know what was going on, but he knew one thing for certain. Any feelings he thought he was starting to have for Riley were pointless. She already had three guys fighting for her, and apparently one of them was her one true love.
He never stood a chance.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Riley felt overwhelmed as she stood in her room, looking down at her bed. It was covered with all the glittering and sparkling clothes Mike had sent her. She blinked several times, trying to take it all in.
Reluctantly, she picked up a red cocktail dress. It was sleeveless with a halter neckline, and every inch was covered with red sequins. She knew this was the dress Mike wanted her to wear for the party. He’d said it would look perfect in the photographs. But holding it out in front of her, Riley could only cringe. She felt like the dress screamed Look at me! and she wasn’t the kind of person who liked to draw attention to herself.
A knock on her door had her tossing the dress back on the bed.
When she opened the door, she found Caylee standing there. “I thought you might need some help getting ready,” Caylee said. “And I brought reinforcements.”
When Caylee moved to one side, Comet came trotting into the room. He headed straight for the bed, but when he saw it was covered with clothes, he barked. He didn’t look happy about it.
Riley laughed. “I know, Comet. I hear you. I’m not happy about all this, either.” She gave Caylee a grateful look. “Thank you for coming. I’m not sure what I’m doing here.”
Caylee laughed as she entered the room and picked up a pretty sequin top off the bed. “I swear you’re the only girl I know who complains about a guy sending her a box of designer clothes.”
“Well, when that guy is your publicist and that publicist is as demanding and controlling as Mike, trust me, you wouldn’t like it, either.”
Caylee picked up the red cocktail dress Riley had been looking at. “I don’t know. He has great taste. All of this is pretty awesome, if you ask me.”
“Then you wear it,” Riley said, meaning it.
Caylee laughed and handed back the cocktail dress. “Nope, this is meant for you. This is your big night. You’re Miss Christmas. You need to look the part.” She paused. “Trust me, you want to look your best.”
Riley laughed. “You say that like you know something I don’t.”
Caylee turned her back on Riley as she picked up a silver sequin halter top. “I’m just saying, our Christmas Campers are expecting a star, and you need to sparkle like one.” Caylee held the halter top up to herself and turned around to face Riley.
“I love this one,” Caylee said in a wistful voice.
“Wear it,” Riley said.
When Caylee laughed and put it back down on the bed, Riley came over, picked it back up, and gave it back to her.
“I’m serious,” Riley said. “If I need to look the part so do you.”
When Caylee held the top up again, it caught the light and sent sparkles shooting across the room. “I couldn’t . . .”
Riley looked Caylee in the eye. “You can, and you will. I’ll make you a deal. If I wear this—” Riley picked up the red sequin cocktail dress “—then you wear the top. We all have to look festive for this Christmas Camp. Go get Maryanne. She can wear something, too.”
Caylee’s face lit up. “Are you serious?”
“Of course,” Riley said. “We’re all in this together. If I have to wear sequins, we all have to wear sequins. It’s a new Christmas Camp rule I’m making up right now. Everyone must wear sequins.”
Caylee laughed. “Well, I can’t wait to see Luke in sequins!”
Riley laughed loudly imagining it.
“Are you really serious?” Caylee asked. “About me and Maryanne wearing something?”
“As Santa’s sleigh,” Riley responded quickly, then laughed at herself. “I can’t believe I just said that. All this sparkle is going to my brain.”
Caylee was already heading for the door. “If you’re sure about this, I’m going to go get Maryanne right now . . .”
Riley waved her off. “Do it. Go get her. There are enough clothes here for all of us.”
“This is amazing!” Caylee said, not even trying to hide her excitement. “I’ll be right back.”
As Caylee raced out the door, Riley turned her attention to Comet. “Now what about you?”
Comet sat down at her feet and gazed up at her lovingly.
When Riley looked around the room, her focus landed on the pretty red satin ribbon that had been on the gift box.
She eyed it, then Comet, and smiled.
About an hour later, after a Christmas makeover session that would have fit perfectly in any romantic comedy, Riley, Caylee, Maryanne, and Comet were all ready for the party. Riley barely recognized herself when she looked in the mirror.
Maryanne had helped do Riley’s hair and makeup so it was festive but classy. Still, for Riley, seeing herself with extra coats of shiny black mascara on her already long thick lashes and a soft dusting of gold shimmer on her eyelids and cheekbones, along with a luscious red lip gloss, made her feel like she was staring back at a stranger. Not to mention the form-fitting red sequin dress made her feel like she was going to an awards show.
Caylee joined her in the mirror. “You look amazing. You’re the perfect Miss Christmas.”
“I still don’t know about this dress,” Riley said, feeling nervous. “It’s a lot.”
Caylee modeled her silver sequin top. “A deal’s a deal.”
Caylee had paired the top with a pair of black leather pants she’d also borrowed from Riley. Her usual casual ponytail had been exchanged for a sleek blowout, and she was wearing just a touch of gold shimmer on her cheeks and eyelids, too.
Caylee, thrilled, did a little spin. “I feel like a princess. No one in my unit would ever believe this is me.”
“Wait, we need some pictures of you,” Riley said, grabbing her phone. “Stand over by the bed. The light’s a little better.”
Caylee practically skipped over to the bed. “Right here?” she asked, striking a pose.
Riley framed up her shot. “A little to right.”
Caylee took a few steps as instructed.
“A little more. Stop. Perfect,” Riley said and started snapping pictures of Caylee. “You are literally sparkling.”
They all laughed.
“Wait, now get some pictures of Maryanne,” Caylee said, going over and grabbing Maryanne’s hand. “Talk about rockin’ the sequins. Maryanne is killing it.”
“Agreed,” Riley said and started snapping more pictures, this time of Maryanne.
Maryanne looked phenomenal. She was wearing one of the other tops Mike had sent like she owned the world of glitter and glam.
In awe, Maryanne, gently touched the fabulous red top that was a sensational mix of satin and sequins. She looked over at Riley. “I’ve never worn anything this beautiful. “This pretty much blows my usual red Christmas sweater out of the water. Thank you, Riley. Thank you so much for sharing all this with us.”
“Of course,” Riley said. “I feel like you’re both doing me the favor. If I have to wear this stuff, at least I’m not alone. Check out the pictures. You guys look great.”
When she showed Caylee and Maryanne the photos, they both loved them.
“But wait,” Caylee said, taking Riley’s phone from her. “We need one of the three of us.” Caylee held her arm out. “Selfie time! Say Christmas Camp!”
They all said “Christmas Camp” at the same time and then started laughing. Even Comet got in on the action by barking and wagging his tail.
Riley got her phone back from Caylee and kneeled down in front of Com
et. “Okay, it’s your turn, Comet. Smile.” Riley snapped several adorable pictures.
“He looks so cute,” Caylee said. “Great idea with the red bow.”
“Right?” Riley said. “Thanks. I felt like he needed to get dressed up, too.”
“Absolutely,” Maryanne agreed.
“You’re the best,” Caylee said, giving Riley a spontaneous hug. “The guys downstairs are going to flip when they see you.”
Riley laughed. “What guys?”
Caylee snapped her mouth shut as if she’d just said something she wasn’t supposed to say. “The guys, you know. Any guy who might be here.”
Caylee was saved from saying anything else when there was a knock on the door. “Riley, it’s me, Paul. Are you ready for some quick pictures before the party?”
Caylee’s eyes flew open wide. She touched her hair, her face. She ran to the window. “He can’t see me like this. I have to get out of here.”
Maryanne laughed. “What are you going to do? Jump out the window?”
Caylee looked at the window. “I would if I could.” She ran back over to Riley and whispered, “Please, just tell him to go away. Say you need more time, say anything, just let me get out of here first.”
“What is it with you two?” Riley whispered back to her.
“Riley?” Paul called out again.
Caylee gave Riley a pleading look and put her hands together like she was praying.
Riley laughed. “Paul, can you come back in five minutes? I’m just finishing up.”
“Sure,” Paul said.
They all waited in silence until they heard him walk away.
Caylee fell back onto the bed and grabbed a Santa pillow and covered her face.
Riley wasn’t letting her get off the hook that easy. “Caylee, you need to tell me what’s going on.” She took the pillow away from Caylee’s face.
“Oh, boy,” Maryanne said. “We could be here all night.”
As Caylee sat up, she snagged another Santa pillow and threw it at Maryanne.
Christmas Ever After Page 20
