“Gnawed on a corner or swallowed the whole mat?” Hogan wanted toknow.
“The entire mat in one gulp. It wasstartling.”
“Testify,” Hoganagreed.
“Tell me you didn’t drive,” Isaid.
“I didn’t drive. Jean helpedme.”
Jean grinned and flicked us a thumbs-up.
My cheeks went a little warm. “Ryder, you didn’t have to go out and buy me a gift when you’reinjured.”
“It’s Christmas, Delaney,” he mumbled, only half-awake. “Worthit.”
He was getting heavy against my back. I shifted us so that he was resting against thecouch.
He pulled me close, wrapping around me like he was afraid I’d walk out when he wasn’tlooking.
We really had been apart for toolong.
The rest of the evening was spent talking with my sisters andHogan.
As was our tradition, our promise to each other, we drank and nibbled on cookies, fudge, and toffee Hogan had made, and gazed at the Christmas tree covered in softly pulsinglights.
Myra had an angel atop hertree.
It was peaceful. The music soft and soothing, the company my favorite in the wholeworld.
And then, when it was midnight, we followed through with our othertradition.
It was a family thing passed down from our great-great grandparents. And as long as at least two Reeds were in the same room together at midnight on Christmas Eve, we’d always doneit.
We joined hands, held our breath, and made a wish that could last for exactly however long we held ourbreath.
I wish joy, peace, health and love for all those within Ordinary, especially Ryder, who might or might not love me, but whom I love with all my breath, all my heart, all mysoul.
We all exhaled, except for Jean who held up one finger and squeezed her eyes shut, nodding along with whatever list of wishes she was rapid-firing her waythrough.
She did that everyyear.
She finally let out a burst of air, and Hogan chuckled, then tipped toward her and kissed herlips.
“Can’t wait to find out what that was all about,” he murmured against hermouth.
“Can’t wait for you to,” shesaid.
“No snow,” Iwarned.
She made kitten eyes. “Would I wish for snow onChristmas?”
“Yes,” we all said intandem.
She laughed. “Well, I’m not telling because thenwhateverI wished for won’t come true. And believe me, I really, really want it to cometrue.”
From the look she was giving Hogan, and from the look he gave her back, I had a good feeling a few of those wishes were going to come true tonight. I guess it paid to have a half-Jinn as aboyfriend.
“Ready?” Ryder squeezed my hand. I realized I hadn’t let go of hisyet.
