I reached out and brushed my hand over the soft yarn.
“I always loved that color blue,” I told him, staring into his eyes. “And I knew when I saw your eyes, I just knew it was meant for you.”
“Don’t go givin’ me some speech on fate,” he said grumpily.
I laughed and shoved his shoulder playfully.
“What if it was fate?” I said with wide eyes. My tone was all teasing.
“I like the scarf. Thank you,” he said, pulling my wrist until I crawled into his lap. I covered us with the blanket and stared at the fire with no real thoughts in my head.
It was nice to enjoy the moment.
Even nicer to have a warm body to snuggle up to.
So, this Christmas hadn’t turned out the way I’d planned.
But that was okay.
Because it had turned out so much better.
I wasn’t alone. And even if Grumpy Pants and I didn’t have a future, I’d gotten a lot out of this little adventure. He made me feel seen. He cared for me. He showed me I was worth feeling seen and being cared for.
I really hoped this wouldn’t be over after today.
I’d figured I’d have to wait to see what else Santa could work out for me. Christmas wasn’t over, after all.
I still had cinnamon buns and a nice holiday meal to win him over.
Oh, yeah, I was going to work my magic. And maybe if I could find my brave panties, I’d put those on and actually tell him how I feel.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Killjoy
It sure had been a day. A Christmas I’d remember for a long time to come, that was for sure. Hell, I’d probably remember this one forever. It wasn’t like Danny would be easy to forget.
And I really hoped I wouldn’t have to forget him.
“How was your Christmas?” I asked him as he snuggled up into my side on the couch.
We were full from the roast and sides we’d spent the afternoon whipping up together. And cold from being out building a snowman. The ice man with a carrot nose and a gold glitter cock got to wear my new scarf only long enough for us to get pictures of him. I was still shaking my head at Danny’s dirty addition. Though I really expected nothing less.
Now, we were cuddling on the couch, steaming mugs of hot chocolate with marshmallows waiting to be enjoyed on the coffee table in front of us. With the damn candle that smelled like fucking hot chocolate and marshmallows burning right between them. The fire was going. The Christmas tree lightswere sparkling behind us. And I couldn’t have asked for a better night.
“Fucking amazing,” he said, letting out a cute laugh. “Seriously, thank you.” He turned those hazel eyes up at me. “It was the best. I couldn’t have asked for more. And the candle…” He seemed to get choked up, so I leaned down and kissed the top of his head.
He settled back into my side.
“You’re ringing,” he said, kicking his foot out and moving my phone on the coffee table with his big toe.
“Yeah,” I glanced down, already having a good idea who was callin’ me. “It’s my brother. The second oldest of the bunch.”
“The one who you joined the club with?”
“Yep. That’d be him.”
“You should answer it.”
