She was the absolute worst at faking calm and collected.
The why rattling inside her head was because as much as she hated to admit it, she wanted to know if she’d gotten to Soren the way he’d gotten to her. And if he were to confide in anyone, it would be Tom.
And one thing was certain when it came to her and the worst best man.
Something happened to the two of them when they were within arm’s reach of each other—and it had nothing to do with whatever Tanner had put in those gummy bears.
What had started out as pure wanton attraction the night they’d met in that darkened hotel bar had changed into this strange reality. Now, she couldn’t remember what life was like just a week before when she was blissfully dating a cheating creep of a boyfriend and busting her ass for a tiny French pastry tyrant.
“You don’t think Scooter dragged Tom to a strip joint or whatever the equivalent of that is in Kringle?” she asked.
Lori pressed her hand to her belly and chuckled. “No, Tom would have mentioned that.”
She stared at her sister, surprised by her lack of concern.
“But you were so worried about Scooter’s influence over Tom. Did something change?”
Lori glanced down and blew out a breath.
Bridget shook her head, feeling awful. “I’m sorry. I don’t want you to think that I’d ever assumed Tom would do anything to hurt you. It’s just that you were worried when we talked on the phone before I got here.”
Now Lori was the one shaking her head. “No, I’ve had a lot on my mind with the wedding and—”
“And I get it,” Bridget said, cutting her sister off. “This is an emotional time. I can’t imagine how you’re feeling. How about we change the subject, and I open that gift, so we can see what’s inside?”
“Sure, let’s take a look,” Lori said, but something was on her sister’s mind. She could sense it. Still, she didn’t want to upset the woman. The fact that this was the first time they’d visited the Kringle Chapel without their parents was emotional enough.
She opened the box, then set it on her lap and removed the card.
“Who’s it from, Birdie? Do you have a secret admirer in Kringle?” her sister teased, sounding more like herself.
Did she have an admirer? Could it be from Soren?
She slid the card from the slim envelope, anticipation building. But instantly, disappointment panged in her chest when she’d read the note.
“It’s from the Kringle Cares organization. It says they wanted to share a token of their appreciation. They didn’t have to get me anything,” she replied, hating herself for hoping that Soren had sent the gift.
Her sister bumped her shoulder. “You did solve their cookie conundrum.”
She pushed all thoughts of that man aside. The day he gave her a gift would be the day reindeer flew over Kringle Mountain with Rudolph leading the pack.
“It was nothing.”
“You must know that it wasn’t, Birdie,” Lori said, and she could almost hear her grandmother in her sister’s voice.
“It was sugar cookies.”
“Yeah, a delicious snack for children and their families to enjoy at an event that they look forward to all year. And you pulled it off by mobilizing a group of people to help you bake a gazillion cookies in forty-five minutes. I think you sell yourself short. You could run your own shop.”
She waved off her sister. “Let’s see what they sent,” she answered, ignoring the whole start your own business cheerleader routine Lori fell into any time they discussed baking.
She lifted away the tissue to reveal a necklace.
“Look, it’s got an angel pendant. I saw these at a shop in the village. It’s lovely, Birdie!”
Bridget traced a tiny wing with her index finger. “It is, isn’t it?”
Lori took the box and carefully removed the necklace, then stood. “Let’s get this on and see how it looks.”
Bridget rose to her feet and gathered the wisps of hair that had broken free of her bun as Lori draped the chain around her neck.
“Shoot, Birdie! I’m terrible at these clasps,” her sister said, fiddling with the necklace when a rush of cold air hissed through the snug space.
The heavy wooden doors slammed shut as Soren entered the chapel.
“I guess he’s not the devil,” Lori whispered into her ear.
Bridget bit back a grin. “Why are you here?”
She stared at the man. He hadn’t shaved, and when he pulled off his hat, his hair was a sexy disarray of dark curls.