When I came back down, Judy Palmer swept me into one of her rib-cracking hugs the moment I hit the bottom step.
“Cassidy Morgan, you gorgeous girl,” she gushed, kissing my cheek.“Every time I see you, I swear you’ve grown more stunning.”
I laughed, awkward but touched, hugging her back tightly.
The house was buzzing, full of life, two families, one table, plates clinking, wine and whiskey flowing, the kind of holiday chaos that used to feel like background noise but now felt precious.Like this holiday was special, hard-earned.I caught myself smiling more than once, almost forgetting for a few moments how complicated everything was.
After dinner, as everyone lingered with drinks in hand, Brody drifted over, leaning against the edge of the table like he had all the time in the world.
“You got plans for New Year’s Day?”he asked casually, but his tone carried weight, like it mattered more than he wanted me to realize.
I arched a brow.“Besides sleeping off whatever chaos Adam’s planning for New Year’s Eve?”
He smirked.“Yeah, besides that.”
I shook my head.“No plans.”
His gaze held mine steady.“Good.Keep it that way.”He hesitated, just long enough to make my heart stutter.“Give me the day?”
My throat went dry, my heart racing, but I nodded anyway, the words stuck somewhere behind my ribs.
“Good,” he said softly, like it meant something more than he was saying, before Chase called him over from across the room.
Just like that, I was pulled back into the noise and warmth, someone pressing a glass of champagne into my hand, Adam shouting about dessert, Clara laughing beside me.
Mason was sitting on the couch, looking like he was soaking in every moment, like a man who knew how close he was to losing everything.Clara and I made our way to the couch, each sitting on either side of Mason.We had grown closer; I didn't know if it was the time we spent working together cleaning up his business or if it was because he was there that day.But it didn't matter.I tucked my knees up under my skirt and scooted into my brother-in-law's side, while Clara draped an arm around his neck, playing with some of my loose waves on the back of the couch.
I was surrounded by the people I loved most in the world, and for the first time in a long time, my heart actually felt happy.
Conversation flowed easily.They asked about my writing, what was next.I told them about the two contracted books, how I’d finish those, and then…maybe, finally, I’d write something forme.
Brody was still close enough that I could feel him there, even without looking.
I snorted out a laugh at something outrageous Adam said, and I realized...At that moment, I didn’t feel like I was splintering apart.I felt like I was healing.
Chapter 31
I almost texted Adam to cancel.
The nerves had been building all morning, tangled tight in my stomach, sharp enough to make my coffee sit heavy and bitter in my chest.The thought of being around that many people, possibly running into Andrew or Victoria, seeing Brody again after everything was enough to make breathing difficult.
I’d just worked up the courage to draft a quickSorry, I can’t tonightwhen my bedroom door burst open.
“Don’t even think about it,” Clara announced, marching in like a one-woman army.
I blinked at her, caught mid-crime, clutching my phone like she’d materialized out of thin air to arrest me.“Excuse me?”
“You,” she said, pointing at me like an accusation, “are not cancelling.”Her hands planted firmly on her hips, chin tilted high.“Tonight is happening...you, me, music, makeup, outfits...the full thing.We’re getting ready together.End of discussion.”
I raised an eyebrow, ready to push back, but then she hesitated.Her cheeks flushed pink, and she fiddled with the thin band on her left hand.
“…Mason’s picking me up,” she admitted, softer now, almost shy.“And we’re going.Together.”
The words settled between us, delicate and fragile, like glass balanced on the edge of a counter.
“The first time?”My voice came out quiet.
“Yeah,” she said, twisting his ring.“The first time since… everything.”
