Her Holiday Fling. Jennifer Snow

      “I’ll kick his ass.”

      She didn’t think he was joking. She’d suspected that Chase hadn’t been keen on his baby sister’s choice of fiancé, and now that she knew about their parents not being around, she could understand his protectiveness even more.

      A second later far too many eyes landed on them at the sound of Kate’s high pitched “Chase!” as she climbed over the table bench to rush toward them.

      “Brace yourself for impact,” Chase muttered as his sister—a six-foot Amazon—barrelled into them, claiming him in a hug.

      Hayley quickly sidestepped the embrace.

      “Kate, I’d like you to meet Hayley.”

      Pulling away from her brother, Kate gave her a quick once over before she frowned.

      Great, she hated her already.

      “My girlfriend, Hayley,” he said quickly.

      “Hi, Kate. It’s nice to meet you,” Hayley said, forcing a smile.

      “You, too...” Kate said slowly, shaking her head. Her long dark hair whipped back and forth in a low ponytail. “Sorry, I’m confused... Chase hadn’t mentioned he was dating someone.” Her eyes narrowed slightly at her brother.

      Crap. Those dark, piercing, perceptive eyes knew something was up. Hayley scanned the restaurant for the nearest exit, but Chase’s grip tightened around her.

      “I didn’t mention it because I...uh...didn’t know how serious things were before.” He pulled her closer and kissed her cheek. “But I thought it was time for all of you to meet.”

      Great, Chase—that was his cover-up? Now she was going to look like a heartless bitch when they conveniently broke up after this week.

      But to her surprise, Kate’s face lit up. “Finally.” She turned to Hayley with a genuine smile this time. “We were starting to lose hope on this one and he’s kinda tight-lipped about his personal life. Come on, I’ll introduce you to everyone. Chase, why don’t you grab drinks?”

      Oh, no, he couldn’t just leave her—he was supposed to be the one doing all the talking and explaining. “Um...actually, I’m okay.”

      “I’m not,” Kate said. “Go,” she told her brother.

      “See what I mean? Bossy,” Chase whispered. “You’ll be fine. I’ll be back in a minute.”

      What? No. “Wait.” But he disappeared through the crowd and she was left at the mercy of his sister.

      Fifteen minutes later she’d met everyone and remembered no one’s names, but at least she hadn’t had to answer any of the tough questions. The guest list consisted of mostly friends and two of Kate’s former wedding-planning clients. No other family members—aunts or uncles or grandparents—to worry about. Strange, but she’d take her blessings where she could get them. It seemed the four siblings were the crux of their family unit.

      And with Chase back at her side, her worry eased. She would be fine as long as she avoided the single ladies plotting her death at the bar. Kate’s college friends and bridesmaids had left the group promptly after her presence as Chase’s girlfriend was announced. The three women whose photos she’d seen on the plane looked rightly annoyed as their competition for wedding sex with Chase that week was canceled.

      Sorry, not sorry, ladies.

      “So, how did you two meet?” Kate asked.

      Her grip tightened on his hand but he gave a reassuring squeeze. “Actually, I put her in jail.”

      Hayley’s eyes wide, she swung to face him. Whatever happened to meeting online or speed dating?

      Last time she let him answer a question.

      “What?” Kate studied her.

      Cooper nearly choked on his beer and all the other ears at the table waited for Chase to explain.

      Well, he certainly had everyone’s attention.

      Hayley shifted from one foot to the other, waiting to hear what type of crime she was capable of.

      “Yep.” Chase was nodding. “I arrested her along with a group of other attorneys who were protesting the teardown of the community center on Sixth Avenue.”

      Oh, that didn’t sound too bad. She had participated in a peace rally before. Of course she’d been fifteen and dating a pot-smoking beach-surfer bum, and her father had shown up and dragged her away before the police could arrive and hand out fines for loitering in a public place.

      Kate seemed thrilled by the meet-cute story. “Oh, my God, Hayley! How awesome are you? I’m big into protesting for good causes.”

      “Kate once chained herself to an oak tree in Heritage Park for three days,” Chase said.

      “That’s right. No food or drink, except water... No sleep... I was protesting the park’s anti-dog laws.”

      “Did it work?”

      “No. To prove their point, they allowed the dogs to wander free and well...”

      “She got peed on,” Chase said.

      Hayley covered her mouth. “Oh, no,” she said but couldn’t help laughing.

      Kate nodded. “Once I surrendered, I was arrested. Guess we have that in common.” She raised her glass to Hayley before draining its contents.

      Hayley smiled. Who would have thought she’d be able to form a bond with Chase’s sister over a fake—on her part—criminal record?

      “And here is the troublemaker himself,” Chase said as another man joined their group with a short, thin woman who made up for her lack of height with impressive, albeit far too big to be real, breasts.

      Eric, she guessed. Chase’s younger brother and his date. She watched as the two shook hands. In a crowd, the brothers and sister were easily identifiable. The same dark hair, dark eyes, long, thin nose—definitely related at least. “Nice to meet you,” she said as Chase did the introductions. Then turning to him, she whispered. “Didn’t you say there are four of you?” She’d yet to meet the other sibling.