“Did you get your tree done?” Oscar asked as I stepped into a cloud of cinnamon and clove scented heaven.
“Yeah, I did. Why does it smell so good in here?”
“Mia found the Christmas candles. The girls are just about ready.” He handed me a beer and settled back against the kitchen counter.
“So… I have to tell you something.”
His eyes were wary, a look I couldn’t ever remember seeing on my best friend’s face before.
“What’s up? And how can I help?”
He shook his head. “Nah, nothing like that, but it’s going to change things.”
Their doorbell chimed, announcing the arrival of the limo we’d hired, but I kept my gaze locked on my friend.
He sighed, raking his hand through his hair and scrubbing his face.
“Mmff frefrowow.”
“In English?” I asked.
“Mia’s pregnant.”
Joy rushed through my body as I threw my arms around him with a shout.
“Holy shit! Congratulations, man. Wait… this is good news, right?”
Oscar relaxed, returning the hug with a solid back slap.
“Oh, yeah. We’ve been… not trying, but not… not trying? If you get what I mean. We wanted to sort of leave it to fate, but now it’s happened and I guess we’re both freaking out a bit.”
“That’s amazing. I’m going to have to start planning ways to beat out Luca for favorite uncle.”
Mia’s brother was a surly, touch averse, mean bastard… who was going to love this kid like his life depended on it.
Oscar huffed a laugh and took a long pull on his drink as the click of matching sets of heels echoed down the hall.
Oscar whistled while I tried to remember how to breathe as our women stepped through the doorway and came in for hugs.
“You told him?” Mia asked. I snatched her into a quick hug on her way past as Oscar growled good-naturedly.
“Congratulations, Mumma,” I whispered, letting her go to her man as Blair stepped in to take her place.
“Hey, you.” She tilted her head back, and I touched my lips to hers in a gentle kiss that wouldn’t mess up her lipstick.
“Time to go,” Oscar announced.
We all piled into the limo and drank soda in deference to Mia on the ride in.
The room was already packed as we wandered in, music playing over speakers hidden behind tinsel and mistletoe. On one side of the room was a table full of items to be auctioned off for charity, while the bar was on the other.
“Can I get you a drink?” I asked Blair, running my hand down her back. The dress exposed all of the soft skin between the nape of her neck and her lower back. I couldn’t stop touching her and already had plans for when I could get it off her. She asked for a white wine and I wasted no time getting her order along with beers for me and Oscar, and sparkling water for Mia.
“Check it out,” I murmured to her as she sipped her wine. “Mistletoe.”
She smiled and lifted her chin.
Carding my hands through her hair, I pulled her mouth to mine in a kiss that was still semi fit for the public, but left no doubt about what would come later.
