Tyler smiled a confident smile. “I do, and this time it’s going to work.”
Good luck with that, Luke thought to himself.
“Caylee, why don’t you show Mr. Caldwell to his room and explain the schedule and what we’re doing tonight,” Luke said.
“I would be happy to,” Caylee said. “Right this way, Mr. Caldwell.”
“Thank you,” Tyler said. “And Riley? Where would she be right now?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll explain everything,” Caylee answered as they left the room.
When Tyler walked in front of Caylee up the stairs, she turned back again and looked at Luke. She put both of her hands against her head and then pulled them away, spreading out her fingers as if she was saying, Mind blown.
Luke laughed because it was exactly how he felt.
Three guys had just shown up, and all three guys thought Riley was talking about them during her TV interview when she’d talked about her one true love. Now all three guys were all here to surprise her, and they all planned to win her back.
Even for a dating reality show this was next-level crazy, Luke thought. He looked down at Comet, who had left his spot by the fire and was now sitting by his side. “Well, Comet, it looks like this is about to get very interesting.”
When Comet heard his name, he barked and wagged his tail.
Luke didn’t know what was going on, but he knew one thing for certain. Any feelings he thought he was starting to have for Riley were pointless. She already had three guys fighting for her, and apparently one of them was her one true love.
He never stood a chance.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Riley felt overwhelmed as she stood in her room, looking down at her bed. It was covered with all the glittering and sparkling clothes Mike had sent her. She blinked several times, trying to take it all in.
Reluctantly, she picked up a red cocktail dress. It was sleeveless with a halter neckline, and every inch was covered with red sequins. She knew this was the dress Mike wanted her to wear for the party. He’d said it would look perfect in the photographs. But holding it out in front of her, Riley could only cringe. She felt like the dress screamed Look at me! and she wasn’t the kind of person who liked to draw attention to herself.
A knock on her door had her tossing the dress back on the bed.
When she opened the door, she found Caylee standing there. “I thought you might need some help getting ready,” Caylee said. “And I brought reinforcements.”
When Caylee moved to one side, Comet came trotting into the room. He headed straight for the bed, but when he saw it was covered with clothes, he barked. He didn’t look happy about it.
Riley laughed. “I know, Comet. I hear you. I’m not happy about all this, either.” She gave Caylee a grateful look. “Thank you for coming. I’m not sure what I’m doing here.”
Caylee laughed as she entered the room and picked up a pretty sequin top off the bed. “I swear you’re the only girl I know who complains about a guy sending her a box of designer clothes.”
“Well, when that guy is your publicist and that publicist is as demanding and controlling as Mike, trust me, you wouldn’t like it, either.”
Caylee picked up the red cocktail dress Riley had been looking at. “I don’t know. He has great taste. All of this is pretty awesome, if you ask me.”
“Then you wear it,” Riley said, meaning it.
Caylee laughed and handed back the cocktail dress. “Nope, this is meant for you. This is your big night. You’re Miss Christmas. You need to look the part.” She paused. “Trust me, you want to look your best.”
Riley laughed. “You say that like you know something I don’t.”
Caylee turned her back on Riley as she picked up a silver sequin halter top. “I’m just saying, our Christmas Campers are expecting a star, and you need to sparkle like one.” Caylee held the halter top up to herself and turned around to face Riley.
“I love this one,” Caylee said in a wistful voice.
“Wear it,” Riley said.
When Caylee laughed and put it back down on the bed, Riley came over, picked it back up, and gave it back to her.
“I’m serious,” Riley said. “If I need to look the part so do you.”
When Caylee held the top up again, it caught the light and sent sparkles shooting across the room. “I couldn’t . . .”
Riley looked Caylee in the eye. “You can, and you will. I’ll make you a deal. If I wear this—” Riley picked up the red sequin cocktail dress “—then you wear the top. We all have to look festive for this Christmas Camp. Go get Maryanne. She can wear something, too.”
Caylee’s face lit up. “Are you serious?”
“Of course,” Riley said. “We’re all in this together. If I have to wear sequins, we all have to wear sequins. It’s a new Christmas Camp rule I’m making up right now. Everyone must wear sequins.”
Caylee laughed. “Well, I can’t wait to see Luke in sequins!”
Riley laughed loudly imagining it.
“Are you really serious?” Caylee asked. “About me and Maryanne wearing something?”
“As Santa’s sleigh,” Riley responded quickly, then laughed at herself. “I can’t believe I just said that. All this sparkle is going to my brain.”
Caylee was already heading for the door. “If you’re sure about this, I’m going to go get Maryanne right now . . .”
Riley waved her off. “Do it. Go get her. There are enough clothes here for all of us.”
“This is amazing!” Caylee said, not even trying to hide her excitement. “I’ll be right back.”
As Caylee raced out the door, Riley turned her attention to Comet. “Now what about you?”
Comet sat down at her feet and gazed up at her lovingly.
When Riley looked around the room, her focus landed on the pretty red satin ribbon that had been on the gift box.
She eyed
