“If you’re over it, then why are you dreading Christmas for the second year in a row?” Sharon grinned at her. “Afraid you’ll end up in bed with her again?”

Abby groaned. “Yes. I’m…I’m still attracted to her, I guess. But it’s been a year. Maybe it’s gone away. Regardless, I had too much wine and, like I said, she flirted with me nonstop . I finally broke.”

“Are you sure you didn’t sleep with her just to get back at your brother?”

“Get back at him? If Aaron is stupid enough to date a lesbian, then it’s his own damn fault that she cheated on him.”

“Cheated on him with you, let’s don’t forget.”

Abby held up her hand. “I don’t want to talk about it. That was a year ago. My problem now is this year.”

“So don’t go. Simple as that.”

“I can’t not go for Christmas. My mother would kill me. Besides, I love Christmas.” She leaned her elbows on the table, her sandwich forgotten. “I’ve kinda been thinking…maybe I should take a date along.”

“To Red River? Are you dating someone that you didn’t tell me about?”

“You know I’m not. And, yeah, that could be a problem. But what I was thinking was, I’d just get a fake date. Someone to keep me accountable and not let Holly get to me.”

Sharon stared at her. “That’s weird, Abby. Even for you.”

“I think it would be perfect. I won’t have to worry about Holly flirting with me then. I won’t have to go out of my way to avoid her and my brother. I know my mother would love it. Did I tell you how stressful it was last year? It’s like everyone was walking on eggshells the whole time.”

“I imagine so. This would be, what? The third Christmas with her?”

Abby sighed. “Yes. I took her with me two years ago. She and my brother hit it off so much so that they slept together. She broke up with me on the last day and rode back to Dallas with him.”

“And last year she and your brother came as a couple, yet she flirted with you, and you ended up sleeping together. Crazy, I tell you.”

“And this year, I want to go armed. If I have a date, then nothing out of the ordinary should happen. I don’t care how much she flirts with me.”

“I remember you dreaded going last year. If you think having a fake date will be better, then go for it.”

“My brother and I—well, there’s always been this edge to our relationship. He’s four years older than I am, yet there’s this competition there. I’m convinced that’s the only reason he went after Holly in the first place.”

“So, is she gay or not?”