I search her face for hesitation, for the line I’m not supposed to cross, but all I find is that stubborn courage I fell for years ago. The one that made her walk away before and still has me trying to catch up.
“Easy,” I say. “You keep doing you, mile-wide stubborn streak included.”
The giggle my words elicit brings a smile to my lips as I continue. “Naughty Peach could use a physical gym location, if that’s still the route you want to go. Or a little birdie told me Havenwood could really use a new daycare program, especially with the new crop of littles popping up around here.”
She spins in my arms, her hands gripping my shirt and her eyes widening in surprise as I pause, brushing the loose auburn strands out of her eyes.
“And whichever path you choose—whether it’s one of those or something entirely different—I’ll be in your corner. Emotional support, driving you crazy, whatever you’ll let me do.”
Moisture gathers in McKenna’s eyes, and I see the gears turning. She wants to argue against it, but the sigh she lets out as she melts against me feels like a win.
“That sounds a lot like chasing,” she whispers, a sleepy grin on her lips.
My lips tip up, too, and I drop a kiss to her forehead. “See? You’re already in control. It’s exactly what you asked for.”
Her laugh is little more than a breath, but it settles something in my chest. Within seconds, her breathing evens out, the weight of her sleeping form fitting perfectly against me. I let my eyes fall shut, memorizing the feel of her in my arms, the sweet and minty scent of her shampoo, the rhythm of her heartbeat that falls in line with mine.
If this is what chasing her feels like, I never want to stop running.
Chapter 9
McKenna
The gentle glow of an early-morning sun peeks through the curtains, just enough light to draw me out of blissful sleep. It takes a few seconds to register why I’m so warm and comfortable, but the steady rise and fall of Reece’s chest against my back and the lazy tangle of our limbs pulls memories of last night into focus.
For a moment, I let myself sink into his hold. His arm is heavy over my hip, possessive, as if he’s worried that I’d run while he slept. The smell of cedar and soap with the faintest hint of peppermint is steadying, grounding, and entirely Reece. Exactly what Christmas morning smells like in my fantasies.
The sharp knock at the door followed by my soon-to-benotbest friend’s voice is the swift kick I need to get moving.
“Reecey-poo! Kenna! Y’all awake?”
In my attempt to carefully untangle myself, I end up on the floor with an unceremoniousthunk. Reece groans and rubs a hand over his face before stretching. His T-shirt rides up just enough to flash a hint of abs, and I lose all reasoning skills. He looks far too good for someone who just woke up.
“Gonna take her damn key back,” he mumbles, his voice rough with sleep. He drags himself out of bed and pats my head as he passes. “Merry Christmas, Blue,” he says before disappearing down the hall.
I’ve barely untangled myself from the heap of blankets on the floor when Jett’s voice rings out again.
“Wait, did you two sleep together? In the same bed?”
Noah’s familiar chuckle follows. “So did we, chaos. Kind of a reason most bedrooms have them.”
“Sleptbeing the key word there, sis,” Reece grumbles, his tone somewhere between amusement and annoyance.
By the time I shuffle into the open living area, the smell of fresh-brewed coffee fills the little farmhouse, my favorite winter creamer already on the counter. Jett wiggles her brows and opens her mouth to no doubt give me hell, but Reece heads her off with a warning.
“Not a word, Jett.”
“But—”
“No.”
She huffs, the satisfied grin on her face enough to heat my cheeks.
Noah links his arms through hers and steers her out to the porch. “Come on, chaos. Let the new lovebirds finish their coffee in peace. We only have twenty minutes before the Flynns are expecting us.”
As the door swings shut behind them, silence settles back across the house.
When Reece slides a mug of steaming coffee my way, the knowing look in his eyes sucks the air right from my lungs.
