I jumped when a strong hand splayed across my stomach and pulled me back.
“Merry Christmas,” Drew whispered in my ear before smoothing my hair to the side. He feathered soft kisses over the nape of my neck, my body going limp against him like a rag doll.
“Merry Christmas to you, too,” I replied in a hoarse whisper. I felt his smile against my skin as he looped his arms around me.
“How long do we have until everyone wakes up?” His lips dove into my neck, and it took everything I had not to loll my head to the side to give him more access.
“Not long enough.” I elbowed his stomach and he dropped his head to my shoulder with a groan.
I laughed as I craned my head. “I’m glad you’re here.” A slow grin stretched my cheeks as I took in the sight of him. His dark hair spiked in all different directions, his dark eyes still heavy with sleep. He was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.
“Me too.” He kissed my cheek. “The couch was pretty comfortable. I’ll deal with my family later.”
“They’re mad?” I winced as I turned around. “I’m so sorry—”
“Stop.” He pressed a finger to my lips. “I called my aunt last night just to let her know I was staying over and I’d see them later. There was no way I wasn’t coming here last night. They aren’t mad, but I wouldn’t give a shit if they were.” He shrugged and pulled me closer. “You’re sexy in the morning.”
I huffed out a laugh. “Yeah, right.” I smoothed down the wisps of hair from my matted ponytail, now self-conscious under the weight of his stare. “I’m a mess in the morning.”
He shook his head as he slipped the rubber band out of my hair. My eyelids fluttered as his fingers threaded through the tangled strands. Drew’s lips curved into a small smile as his eyes locked with mine.
“Fucking gorgeous,” he rasped. “Always gorgeous.” My eyes zeroed in on his lips, now tempered with another day’s worth of stubble. We inched toward each other like magnets, my lips aching for his. I couldn’t stop this if I wanted to. And I didn’t—and wasn’t. Was this being brave or reckless?
“Mommy!” A frustrated groan fell from my lips as Victoria charged into the kitchen. Drew’s shoulders slumped as he laughed, mouthing “next time” to me before he stepped aside and let Victoria tackle me with a hug.
“I don’t ever remember you sleeping this late on Christmas morning.” I kissed her forehead and pulled her to me. “Merry Christmas, baby.”
“This is late?” Drew scoffed as his eyes widened.
“The sun is up. Or almost. Usually Victoria first tries to check if Santa came around three or so.”
She lifted her head and giggled. “Can I look now? Please?” She folded her hands under her chin and bounced. Her excitement caused a pang I couldn’t identify deep in my gut. I always made sure she had a pile under the tree, but it was a small pile. I was able to afford a little more this year with all the overtime I’d worked at the restaurant, but now that she had Josh and Brianna, I was sure she had a mountain of gifts awaiting her. Ever since Josh mentioned he bought her a bike, I’d been prepping myself to look thrilled for her when she saw it, not jealous as all hell he beat me to it.
“There’s a big stack of presents in the living room,” Josh’s voice drifted in from the hallway. He raised an eyebrow at Victoria with Brianna beaming behind him. Victoria let go of my waist and gasped.
“A big stack?”
“Huge.” Josh nodded slowly. “Unless you want to eat breakfast first, because we can if—”
Victoria dashed out of the kitchen and almost made it past her father. He lifted her up and planted a loud kiss on her cheek. “Merry Christmas, Sweets. Santa left you a lot, but there’s one big present from all three of us.”
My head whipped to Josh as he put Victoria down and she raced into the living room.
“The bike is from all of us. I guess I forgot to mention that.” He smiled as he took in the confused slack in my jaw.
“Josh . . .” Now, instead of resentful, I was embarrassed. Again, had it been the other way around, I never would have put all our names on a big gift if it was just from me. Since I dropped Victoria off, I always felt like I had something to prove—to them, to her, and to myself. Keeping her clothed and fed didn’t have the same impact to a child as a new bike on Christmas morning—and Josh knew that. A shame-filled lump formed in my throat.
“You didn’t need to do that—” Josh lifted his hand up, cutting me off.
“The big stuff should come from both of us, since she has both of us now.”
I took in a quick breath through my nostrils and nodded. Last night’s emotional roller coaster made the tears all too eager to come back. “She has all three of us.” My eyes drifted to Brianna.
“Thank you, Sara.” A slow smile lifted her cheeks and almost made it to her eyes. Life wasn’t as easy for her as I’d always assumed, and this Christmas she had her own disappointments to deal with. We both shared a bright spot in Victoria today.
“Yes, she does.” Josh pulled her by the hand toward the living room.
“I’m going to go.” Drew kissed my shoulder as he shrugged on his jacket.
