“I’d be so scared of crossing you.” I’d hugged her tight. “You’re the best.”
“It helped that we mentioned you were going to sue her for financial penalties as well as a damaged credit score and eviction.”
The damaged credit didn’t happen because I fixed everything up, but Kelto didn’t need to know that.
“You speak my love language.”
“Hey, what are best friends for?”
“Just the idea she thought she got away with it bugged me,” I admitted.
“Well, she won’t be trying that again in a hurry.”
“Thank you. This money will mean I’ll be able to get you an extra huge Christmas present this year.”
“You know you don’t have to do that,” she said. “But there is a new set of chaps I’ve seen in the outfitters.”
“Done!”
“That is so delicious,” Viola says, licking her fingers when the cake is passed around. I shake off the reverie.
“Tell me about it,” Jane agrees. The two of them are spending their first Christmas with us at the farm, and I couldn’t be happier.
“I put on at least five pounds just looking at that,” I sigh, taking another slice.
I feel hands at my waist as Zane mutters in my ear. “I’d love you no matter what size you were.”
I smile, turning my head as he pecks me on the lips. “Hello, you.”
“You done here?”
I give him wide eyes, knowingexactlywhat that means by the way he’s staring at me.
“We have dinner with both our parents tonight,” I remind him. “Remember?”
He frowns. “Do I have to go?”
“Zane! Yes, you have to go, it’s at your parents’ place.” I straighten out his shirt, adoring how good he looks and smells tonight. “Then we’ll get to the frosting.”
“That frosting is my favorite,” he mutters in a low, sexy voice.
My friends love Zane. They’re used to him by now, and by-pass all his grumbles and grunts. My parents too, they see how happy we make one another. I love being closer to my parents, and since they moved to Silver Pines in the fall, the commute is even shorter.
Later at dinner, Zane taps the side of his glass to make an impromptu speech.
Everyone is here; all of Zane’s family, my parents, Bailey and her parents, George, Jed, JB and Rich and his wife. Maisie, Mindy and Harry are here too, they’re all the best of pals, and it’s so adorable to see. Mindy has gotten used to Harry and doesn’t mind him so much. I think the feeling is mutual. Mindy and Maisie are a match made in Heaven, and have been inseparable. It seems Maisie really is a hit with everyone.
Tonight, Mindy has been doing her own thing this evening, curled up on the edge of Sylvia and Frank’s couch by the fire like she owns the place, but wanders in while dinner is being served.
“Not one for speeches,” Zane begins. I blink up at him in surprise. “But it’s our one-year anniversary, and while we’re all together, I put together a little speech.”
“Oh my god, are you burning up?” Izzy looks genuinely concerned.
“Shhh!” Their mom says, shaking her head. “We may never hear this if you two start bickering.”
Zane rolls his eyes. “I just want to say that I’m glad you all could make it tonight. I know I’m not the chattiest of people?—”
“Can say that again,” George mutters loud enough for us to hear, chuckles circulate around the table.
