{"product_id":"wrapped-with-a-beau-isbn-9780593422045","title":"Wrapped with a Beau","description":"\u003cb\u003eA USA Today Bestseller\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn its heyday, Piney Peaks and its beloved Christmas house were made famous by \u003ci\u003eSleighbells under Starlight\u003c\/i\u003e, a romantic holiday movie. Fifty years later, the small town is ready for a new love story.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs a successful film liaison, Elisha Rowe has her heart set on one thing and one thing only: putting her hometown back on the map. So, when she gets the chance to secure the long-hoped-for sequel to \u003ci\u003eSleighbells under Starlight\u003c\/i\u003e, a beloved holiday movie, she's willing to do whatever it takes to make sure everything goes smoothly. Unfortunately, that includes claiming to have already gotten permission to film at the historic Christmas house—permission she was very much denied by the gorgeous new owner.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCity boy Ves Hollins is only back in Piney Peaks long enough to sell the house he inherited from his great-aunt. The holidays have always been tough for Ves, and it's not any easier when he's distracted by memories of a Christmas long, long ago, and the irresistible charm of neighbor Elisha. He has no plans to put down roots or fall in love...even if Elisha unravels his hesitations like a bad Christmas sweater. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere's no question the two are opposites in every way. Ves is undeniably frosty. Elisha is brimming with warmth. He doesn't do commitment. She never runs from a challenge. But as the two grow closer, they quickly realize that the growing spark between them may be just what the season calls for.\u003cb\u003eOne of \u003ci\u003eUSA Today\u003c\/i\u003e's Best Fall Romance Releases\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"He’s undeniably frosty. She’s brimming with warmth. Get ready for opposites to attract in this light-hearted holiday romp.\" —\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBookTrib\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Small-town charm, warm, fuzzy      feelings and holiday joy abound in this novel by author Lillie Vale.\" —\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eWoman's World\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"While this small-town enemies-to-lovers story has plenty of sugar, it was also loaded with enough spice to make me blush.” \u003cb\u003e–\u003ci\u003eReader’s Digest\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"[A] spicy holiday rom-com...Complete with love scenes as hot as a crackling fire, sweet romantic overtures, and all the comforts and joys of small-town living, this scintillating contemporary will make a great gift for any romance lover.\" \u003cb\u003e–\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Vale's small-town snow globe has a cosmic heart....Everyone is entitled to joy. And good food. A typical holiday sleigh ride but with quick wit and good sex.\" \u003cb\u003e–\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Vale adds depth to her characters with relatable themes of bad breakups and fractured families, while also creating a slow-burn romance that is sure to satisfy.” \u003cb\u003e–\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“It’s never too early to start reading holiday romances!” –\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBookish\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “[\u003ci\u003eWrapped with a Beau\u003c\/i\u003e] is essentially a Hallmark Christmas movie but make it sexier.” \u003cb\u003e–\u003ci\u003eCulturess\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “\u003ci\u003eWrapped with a Beau\u003c\/i\u003e by Lillie Vale transports you to a cozy small town, echoing the charm of Christmas movies, promising a delightful mix of romance and festive cheer.” \u003cb\u003e–\u003ci\u003eOrange County Register\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Another well-written, fun rom-com, that hits all the right notes. Fans of the genre will be happy with this one.”\u003cb\u003e –\u003ci\u003eRed Carpet Crash\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“If you simultaneously love heartwarming romances and are unhealthily obsessed with visiting the \u003ci\u003eChristmas Story\u003c\/i\u003e house one day, does Lillie Vale have the perfect romance for you! \u003ci\u003eWrapped with a Beau\u003c\/i\u003e has one of my favorite meet cutes of all time, and the banter and chemistry between generous, big-hearted Elisha and seemingly aloof Ves is too good. A new Christmas comfort read for sure!” \u003cb\u003e–Alicia Thompson, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eLove in the Time of Serial Killers\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e \"\u003ci\u003eWrapped with a Beau\u003c\/i\u003e is the perfect addition to any holiday romance list! Full of charming characters, a picture perfect small town, and just the right amount of steam, this book is like a mug of hot chocolate in front of a cozy fire. Lillie Vale continues her streak of romances that tug on the heartstrings with this instant holiday classic I can't wait to read again and again!\" \u003cb\u003e–Falon Ballard, author of \u003ci\u003eJust My Type\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Reading Lillie Vale's \u003ci\u003eWrapped with a Beau\u003c\/i\u003e is like stepping into the warmest, coziest Christmas movie you can imagine. I wish I could walk down the streets of Piney Peaks, a town so festive that even the most disastrous meet-cute involves a large candy cane lawn decoration. Even if you aren’t in a cold climate, this book will make you feel like you’re snuggled under a blanket beside a crackling fire as snow falls outside.” \u003cb\u003e—Kerry Winfrey, author of \u003ci\u003eFaking Christmas\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003ci\u003eWrapped with a Beau\u003c\/i\u003e is the gift of the season. Lillie Vale perfectly captures the thrill, beauty, vulnerability, and depth of falling in love—and I \u003ci\u003edare\u003c\/i\u003e you not to fall scarf over snow boots for Elisha and Ves. Piney Peaks is the cozy, heartwarming, fairy-lit haven you’ve been dreaming of. This warm embrace of a book begs to be savored by firelight.” \u003cb\u003e–Courtney Kae, author of \u003ci\u003eIn the Event of Love\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e “I love a Hallmark movie in book form, especially with some extra holiday spice. Lillie Vale’s charming holiday rom-com, \u003ci\u003eWrapped with a Beau\u003c\/i\u003e, grants all my Christmas wishes: hilarious meet-cute complete with a giant candy cane, cookie decorating, hot cocoa drinking, and Christmas tree decorating, all in the perfectly picturesque town of Piney Peaks. Snuggle up and enjoy this cozy holiday read!” \u003cb\u003e–Amy E. Reichert, author of \u003ci\u003eOnce Upon a December\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “\u003ci\u003eWrapped with a Beau\u003c\/i\u003e is a delightful holiday romance bursting with humor, heart and the magic of Christmas.” \u003cb\u003e–Sonya Lalli, author of \u003ci\u003eA Holly Jolly Diwali\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003ci\u003eWrapped with a Beau\u003c\/i\u003e is everything a holiday romance should be: full of heart, heat, and cozy intimacy. Lillie Vale’s writing is clever and compulsively page-turning, and the banter-filled chemistry between Elisha and Ves had me melting all the way from their hilarious meet-disaster to their well-earned HEA. The idyllic setting of Piney Peaks felt so real that I wanted to book a flight there as soon as I turned the last page, just to live in Elisha and Ves’s sparkling world a little longer. I loved every minute of this absolute gift of a book!” \u003cb\u003e–Jessica Joyce, author of \u003ci\u003eYou, with a View\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “I’m ready to move to Piney Peaks! I devoured this delicious, opposites-attract holiday rom-com that’s as sweet as Ugly Christmas Sweater cookies and as hot as Spicy Grinch cocktails. Lillie Vale’s \u003ci\u003eWrapped with a Beau\u003c\/i\u003e is an utterly heartwarming tribute to found family, small-town charm, and finding magic where you seek it. Bursting with cozy holiday cheer, heartening family dynamics, and sparkling banter, these lovable characters and their instant chemistry will stay with you long after the last snowflake has melted. This book will wrap you up in a big, warm hug—tied with a bow!” \u003cb\u003e–Lauren Kung Jessen, author of \u003ci\u003eLunar Love\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003eLillie Vale\u003c\/b\u003e is the author of \u003ci\u003eThe Decoy Girlfriend \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eThe Shaadi Set-Up\u003c\/i\u003e, as well as the young adult novels \u003ci\u003eBeauty and the Besharam\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eSmall Town Hearts\u003c\/i\u003e. She writes about secrets and yearning, complicated and ambitious girls who know what they want, the places we call home and people we find our way back to, and the magic we make. Born in Mumbai, she grew up in Mississippi, Texas, and North Dakota, and now lives in an Indiana college town.\u003cb\u003eChapter One\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eElisha\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere isn't a lot that Elisha Rowe is sure of at this hour, but as she shivers on her parents' snow-dusted porch in fluffy pink slippers and a pom-pom beanie, she's sure of this: someone has broken into her house.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWell, not \u003ci\u003eher\u003c\/i\u003e house. Rather, the green, gabled Victorian across the street. She doesn't own it-could barely afford a square foot of the sprawling place-but until the new owner takes possession, she thinks of it as hers. Mostly because her beloved neighbor, Maeve Hollins, had always made her feel like it was her home away from home.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaeve and Elisha's grandma Lou, may they both rest in peace, had been lifelong best friends who adored romance, cocktails, and Christmas-not necessarily in that order. As a child, Elisha had always considered Maeve's house their clubhouse: a place to go after school for Maeve's famous hallongrotta, the sweet and crumbly raspberry thumbprint butter cookies that were a staple of Elisha's childhood, and back-to-back romantic movies. Much to Maeve's and Lou's amusement, by age ten, she was mouthing along with the dialogue of her favorite movies, and by twelve, she knew them by heart.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd this was her first Christmas without either of them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf Maeve's mischievous cats, Thor and Thorin, hadn't woken her up-well-timed swishing tails in the face and headbutts to the kidneys-she would have slept right through the lights flicking on across the street. Before she'd even had the chance to blink the sleep out of her eyes, her protective instinct had kicked in. How dare someone break in.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"You've got to be kidding me,\" Elisha huffs. It's six a.m. and she should still be snuggled into her warm flannel sheets, waiting for the smell of hazelnut coffee to wake her. Instead, she's seriously contemplating violence. \"You're a determined thief, I'll give you that.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe figure's blurred shadow moves behind Maeve's living room windows. Elisha can't be sure, but it looks like they're searching for something. Her eyes narrow, her toes curl tight.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eIt's the first of December, which puts this affront right on schedule. Every December, tourists made the trek to their Poconos mountain town of Piney Peaks for photo ops with Maeve's house, which had become famous for its role in the 1974 classic film \u003ci\u003eSleighbells under Starlight\u003c\/i\u003e. Elisha is used to seeing total strangers flirt with trespass, but without Maeve here to find it charming and invite them in for hot cocoa and a cozy chat...\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo one's breaking in on Elisha's watch.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe's already marching over when it occurs to her that it \u003ci\u003emight \u003c\/i\u003enot be the best idea in the world to surprise an intruder empty-handed. Without breaking stride, she snatches one of her mother's giant plastic candy canes lining the driveway. Despite the size, it's flimsier than she expected, weighing almost nothing. Not exactly the most menacing object of self-defense.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe half frowns, then gives it an experimental \u003ci\u003ewhack \u003c\/i\u003eagainst her palm. It stings a bit, but not enough to do any true damage. Okay, so this \u003ci\u003edefinitely \u003c\/i\u003eisn't her best idea, but to be fair, she's way better at talking herself into things than talking herself out.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThank god she's not wearing her winter boots. They would have crunched across the street, announcing her arrival. Instead, her slippers silently sink into last night's snowfall. As the cold bites at the sliver of exposed skin on her ankles, Elisha winces and pretends this is all in the name of stealth rather than rushing in without thinking.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThe soggy slippers muffle her ascent up the Victorian's stairs, and she avoids the creaky board one step from the top in the nick of time. Once she's reached the front door, she only stops long enough to scrape off her slippers on the cheeky Hey There, Pumpkin welcome mat, still there from when Maeve had decorated for Halloween. The pink toe-bunny on each slipper is crusted with a beard of ice she can't quite manage to shake.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut her gaze snags on the snow already there, not yet melted. A thief with manners who brushed off his feet at the door? Frowning, she tests the door handle. Unlocked, the door silently swings open.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe leaves it open in case she needs to make a quick exit, inching past the wide foyer and into the living room, or as Maeve used to call it, the front parlor. Like every other room, it's an incongruous mishmash of coziness and ostentation that shouldn't work but somehow does.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eImmediately, her eyes land on the broad-shouldered back of a man who, despite the generous dimensions of the room, towers over everything in it: the spindly end table teetering with the last books Maeve was shuffling through, the Tiffany torchiere floor lamp low-lighting the hand-painted frieze wrapping around the room. He's the kind of tall that makes Elisha, at five foot seven, feel dainty in comparison.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHer Goliath is mumbling to himself now, shoulders hunched as he scrounges through the drawers. He flips through the stack of papers in his hands quickly, scrutinizing them for just a second or two. Tossing Maeve's treasured memorabilia on the floor-like trash-as he goes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA whole lifetime discarded as if it's nothing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eElisha bristles, watching the soft flutter of theater programs, movie ticket stubs, and elegant wedding invitations as they scatter on the hardwood floor. Her fingers clutch her impromptu weapon even harder.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Why couldn't it be money?\" the intruder asks, actually tipping his head to the ceiling as if he expects an answer. His sigh is followed by a growl. \"This whole place is a fucking fire hazard.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eElisha stifles a laugh at how quickly his despondency turns to irritation. He's seriously criticizing the clutter? Those who break into other people's houses do \u003ci\u003enot\u003c\/i\u003e get to throw stones!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHis neck suddenly straightens, shoulders dropping. The move is uncannily similar to the one the cats make when sneaking up on each other, about to pounce.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe must have made a noise, given herself away somehow. The Goliath starts to turn.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHer fight-or-flight kicks in. She raises the candy cane high above her head, ready to bring it down. \"I'm armed!\" she half warns, half shrieks, leaving off the \u003ci\u003edangerous\u003c\/i\u003e, because of course she's not.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eHe\u003c\/i\u003e doesn't know that, though.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith a startled yelp, he stumbles, almost slipping on the pile of Maeve's precious mementos he had just tossed on the floor.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eElisha can't help it-she shrieks again.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe candy cane swings through the air. It misses the man entirely, but it's too late to stop the force of its arc. The knobby part of her knee catches the brunt of the blow like a doctor testing her reflexes with a tiny hammer. Pain ricochets down her leg, a hundred times worse because it's self-inflicted, and even worse, it's acutely embarrassing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eImmediately, involuntarily, and absolutely inconveniently, her eyes well with tears.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe lawn ornament slips from her fingers, clattering to the floor. Her leg gives out and she collapses in an elegant heap. A jumble of swears erupts from her mouth. If Goliath guesses most of them are aimed at him, he doesn't make a peep. Instead, he crouches.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThrough her blurry vision, she can make out two things:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne, he does not look at all pleased to see her. Which is a shame, because two, he's gorgeous.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEven if he is a thief. An exceedingly well-groomed and well-dressed one, if that belted, expensive-looking coat and thick red scarf are anything to go by.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe raises a sharp dark brow, a shocking contrast to his platinum-blond hair. \"Are you done?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe's too busy tentatively massaging her injury and mulling over which adjective would perfectly describe the striking shade of his blue eyes when she realizes he's speaking to her. \"What?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Whatever tantrum you're throwing,\" he says. \"Are you done?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Excuse me?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNow he's the one to look annoyed. \"I'm not repeating myself a third time.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe gapes. \"You're not even going to ask me if I'm okay?\" She gestures at her knee.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHis eyes flick down as if to ascertain it's not serious, then back to her face. There, he holds steady, almost as if he's mapping her for clues. Elisha scowls and juts her jaw out, breathing through her nose.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I'm not in the habit of inquiring after the well-being of people who break and enter,\" he drawls finally.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I didn't 'break' in,\" she says with finger quotes and a scoff. \"I'm protecting this house!\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe bristles at the implication that it needs protecting from \u003ci\u003ehim\u003c\/i\u003e, the sharp line of his jaw growing even more taut as he sets his mouth in a grim line. \"Ah, yes. The woman dressed like a deranged elf who escaped from the North Pole strikes terror in my heart.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe glances at her slippers and pajamas. \u003ci\u003eOkay, rude. Accurate, but rude.\u003c\/i\u003e Not one to let a good tit-for-tat opportunity slip by, she says dryly, \"Guess that explains your scream.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe shoots her a dour look. \"I did not scream.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe smiles sweetly. \"If that's what you need to believe.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHis jawline is so rigid that she's surprised she can't hear teeth cracking. \"So, either you're part of the neighborhood watch, or you like to play at being a knight and defend unguarded houses.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWell, when he puts it like that, her actions sound childish rather than brave. Now it's her turn to quietly fume. \"Something like that.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGoliath plays along. \"And that's the best armor you have?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe rolls her eyes. \"What can I say, my chain mail is in the wash.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe nods at the candy cane. \"Along with your sword, I'm guessing.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Bite me.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt that, he almost smiles. Worse, her own lips threaten to curl. She stomps down the urge.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I don't want to argue with you,\" he says, even though he's giving a \u003ci\u003egreat \u003c\/i\u003eimpression otherwise.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Wow, the view must be awesome from your moral high ground. Last I checked, intruders don't get to act offended when they're caught in the act.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Know a lot of them, do you?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eElisha huffs. His voice is silky, with a hint of a New York accent, and manages to sound both amused and taunting at the same time. Mostly taunting. \"Yeah, we all hang out in the same bar. You should come to our weekly Intruders Anonymous meeting.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I guarantee that you'll never see me in any bar \u003ci\u003eyou \u003c\/i\u003efrequent.\" His smile is like a paper cut. \"And, as it happens, I'm not an intruder. I own this house.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Ha. Try again.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith an unrepentant eyebrow raise, he crosses his arms. \"And why is that so unbelievable?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe gives him a derisive sniff. \"Because according to her lawyer, Maeve Hollins's great-nephew owns the Christmas House.\" Then she narrows her eyes, eyeing him up and down.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExpensive shoes. Expensive coat. Even more-expensive-looking haircut. \u003ci\u003eHe's not... There's no way that he could be... But what if...?\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Wait. You're not...?\" she asks weakly.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\"Maeve's great-nephew, Ves Hollins. And I wish I could say it was a pleasure to meet you, but-\"\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eElisha's cheeks burn at the way he lets the sentence hang.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe shrugs like he didn't just insult her, getting to his feet without offering her a hand. \"So, want to tell me who the hell you are?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Elisha Rowe,\" she croaks.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHer name has never felt more like a tangled ball of scratchy yarn is lodged right in her throat. It worsens when she has to tip her head back to look at him. Ves. He has a name now. A rather sexy one, really. Which makes her shitty first impression all the more of a shame, but she shoos the thought away.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"So, Elisha, now that we've established that you're the only intruder here...\" Ves's voice is as stony as his jawline. \"Care to explain why?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHer stomach nose-dives like Santa's sleigh crashing through the atmosphere, aiming for a chimney.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eWell, Ves\u003c\/i\u003e, she thinks, \u003ci\u003eI'm here because I was watching Maeve's cats until I knew whether you wanted to adopt them, and they suck at personal space and letting me sleep in. And sure, go ahead and laugh, but this house is one of my favorite places in the whole world, and I did think I was protecting it, actually\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBut if you want the full story, I'm the film liaison for our Chamber of Commerce and I busted my butt to make sure the fiftieth-anniversary anticipated sequel to \u003c\/i\u003eSleighbells under Starlight\u003ci\u003e will be filming in Piney Peaks this January. Since the house is yours now, I need you to sign the location release because I promised everyone that I would and Elisha Rowe does not go back on her word.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eI know we got off on the wrong foot, but feel like helping a girl out?\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNope, can't do it. Asking him for a favor now would be entirely inappropriate and completely pathetic. Her window of opportunity to make a good first impression was just smashed into smithereens thanks to a candy cane and some questionable judgment. Had she really thought her elf pajamas and pink bunny slippers were cute? Why hadn't she thrown on a robe before leaving the house? Or, better yet, changed into something remotely in the realm of adult?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSo Elisha sighs and points haphazardly in the direction of home. \"I live there. Welcome to the neighborhood.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVes crosses his arms and arches an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. \"Piney Peaks \u003ci\u003ereally \u003c\/i\u003eneeds to work on its welcome committee.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter Two\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eElisha\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI might as well have introduced myself as Elisha Rowe, the biggest fuckup in Piney Peaks history,\" Elisha says with a groan, sinking her head into her arms on the counter at the Old Stoat pub. Even after an achingly slow Friday at work, her run-in with Ves Hollins hasn't diminished her embarrassment in the slightest. \"I keep seeing his face in my mind. Ugh! I can't believe I took a swing at the man who inherited Maeve's house when the one thing I needed to do was to win him over.\" She heaves a sigh. \"What the fuck.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVes Hollins. The hot man. The \u003ci\u003ereally \u003c\/i\u003ehot man. Which shouldn't have even been a thing that she noticed, but now that she has, she decides it's an unhelpful adjective. So no, not the hot man-the \u003ci\u003esmug \u003c\/i\u003eman. That suits him better.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd right now, he's the man who holds the fate of this movie and her sparkling reputation in the palm of his hand.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eElisha's best friend, Solana Pereira, gives her shoulder a sympathetic rub. \"It's not that bad, Lisha. I bet he's already forgotten it.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Would \u003ci\u003eyou\u003c\/i\u003e forget a deranged woman in elf pajamas playing Whac-A-Mole on your head with a giant candy cane? Nothing short of a time machine can undo that epic disaster.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Heh. Yeah, that was pretty bad.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Elisha groans again.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"But!\" cries Solana. \"Let me finish! It’s not like you actually succeeded in Whac-A-Moleing him. Just be extra nice, redeem your terrible first impression, and make Ves Hollins see how lovely you are, my darling.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Elisha lifts her head. \"There’s no fixing this, Lana. Literally the second I told him that I was simply a concerned neighbor, he kicked me out. I apologized, but he didn’t even let me finish before he slammed the door in my face. Oh, and he kept the candy cane.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Well, you did try to hit him with it…\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Elisha’s right eyelid twitches. \"Friday happy-hour drinks are getting less happy by the minute.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Sorry, sorry! I’m back to being optimistically-supportive-BFF.\" Solana gestures for Adam, her bartender boyfriend, to bring them both a second fruity Grinch cocktail. \"You’re good at wooing, so woo. You know how tight my mom is with the annual budgets, but you still managed to convince Madame Mayor to literally create our town’s first ever film liaison position in the Chamber of Commerce.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"You know that’s different. Your mom loves \u003ci\u003eSleighbells\u003c\/i\u003e almost as much as I do, and attracting more productions here is a super smart way to boost our economy. Plus, she’s known me my whole life and knew I’d already wanted to come back home, especially after Grandpa’s heart attack.\" Elisha fixes her with a knowing look. \"And you were keeping her updated on the work I was doing in Atlanta.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Lana grins, unrepentant. \"What, like I’m not supposed to brag about my best friend?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"You were doing the ground work to angle for me to come home, admit it.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"And what, may I ask, is so wrong with that?\" Lana waves her hand in the air. \"You \u003ci\u003eshould\u003c\/i\u003e be using your superpowers for your hometown. Atlanta doesn’t need you the way Piney Peaks needs you.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"And we missed you,\" Adam chimes in, over two decades of friendship packed in his words. \"Everyone did. You’re the heart and soul of this place.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eElisha’s taken aback at the matter-of-fact way he says it. 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