Kade emerges from the kitchen in the most hideousHome AloneChristmas sweater I’ve ever seen, carrying a tray of coffee mugs. "Coffee? You two look like you need it."
"That would be stellar,ya filthy animal,” I say, shaking my head, as I take two mugs and hand one to Piper.
Our fingers brush, and I see Sadie's eyes track the movement. Damn it.
The next hour is madness—catching up, exchanging gifts, Meredith holding court from her chair by the fire and making observations that are equal parts hilarious and mortifying. I slip Bear a treat as I try to maintain distance from Piper, but it's impossible. My eyes keep finding her across the room. When she laughs at something Nia says, I feel it in my chest.
And I'm not the only one who notices.
"You've got it bad, bro," Kade murmurs, appearing at my elbow. "Like, worse than I've ever seen."
"Shut up."
“Hey, I’ve always liked her.” He takes a sip of his coffee. “She’s also very clearly into you.”
I glance over. Piper's talking with Ledger about app development, animated and engaged, but even as I watch, her eyes flick to me and away.
“And Nia? That happened lightning fast.”
He nods. “I just couldn’t ignore it. I guess when you know, you know.” Kade squeezes my shoulder. "But for what it's worth? I've never seen you look at anyone the way you look at Piper. Jayce didn’t even?—"
"Don't." I cut him off before he can finish.
He studies me for a moment. "Does Jayce know?"
I shake my head.
"Gonna tell him?"
"Eventually." I drain my coffee. "Probably should do it before someone else does."
"Probably," Kade agrees. Then, quieter he offers: "He'll get over it. Might take time, but he's not an asshole."
Deep down I know that. But the knot in my gut says it's not going to be that simple.
"Harlon!" Sadie's voice cuts across the room. "Can you help me in the kitchen?"
It's not a request by how she glares at me.
I follow her, and the second we're alone, she rounds on me.
"Okay, spill. What happened?"
"We got snowed in. We survived. That's it."
"Harlon Giles, don't you dare try to bullshit me." She crosses her arms. "Did you sleep with her?"
“How is that any of your business?”
"You did.” She actually pumps her fist. "Do you have any idea how long I've been hoping for this?"
I rub my hand over my face. "Sadie?—"
"You've been into her since the day you met. Don't even try to deny it."
"I wasn't going to." I lean against the counter. "But it doesn't matter how I feel. She's Jayce’s ex. There are rules?—"
"Screw the rules." Sadie steps closer, her expression fierce. "Jayce ended things with her. And you want to know something? He told me months ago that he knew she wasn't the one. That he cared about her, but didn't love her the way he should."
