All She Wants for Christmas by Jaci Burton Read Free Book Online Page B

she come join us. So wonderful to see you again, Riley.”
    The hug was so warm and welcoming, Riley never wanted to let go. “It’s nice to see you again, too.”
    “Now, what would you like to drink? Hot chocolate?”
    Riley nodded. “That would be great. Thanks.”
    “Good. I’ll be right back.”
    “I’ll go work your Scrabble words while you’re gone,” Roger said.
    Stacy shot him a glare. “You even so much as peek anywhere near my side of the table and I’ll hobble your other leg.”
    Roger narrowed his gaze. “You’re cutthroat, woman.” He turned and gave Riley a wink. “She thinks I cheat.”
    Ethan rolled his eyes. “Duh, Dad. You do cheat.”
    Roger lifted his chin. “Do not. I just can’t spell good so your mother takes that advantage and uses it against me.”
    “Are we going to play here or what?” Brody asked. “I’m ahead of you and Wyatt and I intend to kick your butts.”
    “I need to talk to Riley.”
    “Well make it fast. And hi, Riley. Nice to see you around here again. Try to visit more than once every ten years, will ya?”
    “Thanks, Brody. Nice to see you again too. And I’ll try. And hi, Wyatt.”
    “Uh huh.” Wyatt offered up a half-assed wave, then lifted a bottle of beer to his lips.
    Ethan led her out of the room and into the formal living room. They took seats on the sofa. “Ignore Wyatt. He’s got a major chip on his shoulder. It’s not you, trust me. He treats everyone with the exact same amount of disdain.”
    “Really? Why?”
    “It’s his divorce a couple years ago. He’s still carrying a grudge and isn’t fond of women in general.”
    “Oh. Ouch. I’m sorry.”
    Ethan shrugged. “That’s his problem to deal with.”
    “Where’s Zoey?”
    “Spending the night at a friend’s house.”
    “Oh. I’m sorry I missed her.”
    He smiled. “She likes you too. And she had fun at the concert, even though she passed out at the end.”
    Riley laughed. “It’s no problem. It was late. I’m glad she had a good time.”
    She was stalling. She should tell him why she was here.
    “Here’s your hot chocolate.” Stacy handed her a steaming mug, then hovered while Riley sipped.
    She moaned. “It’s just how I remembered. Thick, with an overabundance of marshmallows. It’s wonderful.”
    Stacy beamed. “I’m glad you like it.”
    Ethan looked up at his mother. “Uh, Mom?”
    “Oh. Oh, of course. If you’ll excuse me, I’d better go get back to Scrabble before Roger steals all my tiles.”
    She left the room, and Riley turned to Ethan. “It’s about the interview you’re doing tomorrow.”
    He frowned. “The one with the biography people?”
    “Yes. Please don’t do it.”
    “Why not?”
    Did she have to spell it out? “You know why not. I can’t believe you even agreed to it. The history between us, what happened between you and Amanda. Do you really want all of that broadcast?”
    He gave her the kind of indulgent smile he probably gave his daughter when she was overtired and acting out. “Do you really think I’m going to give them details? How dumb do you think I am, Riley? All they want to talk about is us dating in high school. I figure I’ll toss them a few crumbs and they’ll be on their way.”
    “I’d like to keep that part of my life off limits.”
    He laughed. “Right. It wasn’t off limits in your music, was it?”
    Irritation skittered across her pulse, driving up her heartbeat. “No one knew it was you.”
    “Wrong. Everyone knew it was me. Everyone who counted to me. Maybe none of the millions of your fans, but every single person in this town heard your lyrics and felt sorry for you and turned their eyes to Amanda and me. We couldn’t walk down the street together for a long time when your first album came out.”
    She stood and stared down at him. “Is that why you agreed to the interview? You’re looking for a little payback?”
    He stood, too. “What do you think I’m going to say to them, Riley? You were