“Did you purposely pack the sex toy?” I’m not mad if she did, but also given the circumstances surrounding our “relationship” and knowing we were going to be sharing a bed, I can’t imagine that she would’ve intentionally included it.
Her face flames bright red before she takes a deep breath and quickly responds, “Nope, I didn’t. Mysupposed best friendthought that because we’d have so much alone time, a new toy would be useful for us. She gave it to me before our first date… I specifically left it in my drawer at home, but I guess when I was doing my last minute packing stuff she slipped it into my suitcase.”
“That sounds like something she would do.” I chuckle.
“Yep. Definitely, I’m still going to strangle her with the popcorn garland in the morning, and I’m returning her Christmas present for that.”
Realistically, I shouldn’t say what I’m thinking, but boldly I find myself murmuring in her ear, “Does she deserve to be strangled when we got so much pleasure out of our experience?”
There’s a deafening silence surrounding us for a moment then I can’t help but say, “I– I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“No. You’re right, maybe I should let her live to see another day. I just haven’t gotten used to how filthy your mouth is yet.”
“Oh, you haven’t seen anything yet, Harley.”
Chapter 12
C+H
Harley
Luckily, the storm cleared up yesterday morning and now we sit around the kitchen table enjoying the breakfast spread that Nik and the guys prepped yesterday. A copycat of the Hart family breakfast casserole, assorted fruits, and a plethora of other foods make their way around the table. Bella has asked to open presents no less than ten times, she can’t help it but to be excited. Everyone dons the matching pajamas with their families and partners. Dom, Sin, and Nik were gifted Grinch pajama sets by Kodi—Dom has not shut up about the fact that Sin had to match him today. Harley and I wear green flannel sets that are covered in cats wearing Santa hats.
Once everyone has finished eating, we’ve cleared the table and refilled our mugs of coffee or hot chocolate, photos have been taken in front of the tree, and now everyone has settled around the living area ready to open gifts.
Stu and Dale take up residence on each side of the tree, ready to collect paper and pass around gifts. They get Bella and Hayden settled with a few first, their parents assisting them in beginning to pull off paper while we all watch as excitementspreads across their small faces. I don’t think Hayden quite understands what’s happening, but the crinkling noise of the wrapping paper is enough to make him happy.
“Collins! This one’s from your girl!” Dom says, taking my meticulously wrapped gift from Dale and passing it to Collins, who sits behind me, arms wrapped around my middle. He carefully unwraps the box before pulling out his brand-new mug. He snorts as he takes in the Lord of the Cats: The Furrlowship of the Ring, each character turned into a cat.
“I love it.” He sets it down beside us, pulling my face to his and kissing me softly for a moment. It feels good to have his lips against mine again, and I don’t pull away—well, until someone coughs, interrupting our moment.
“I have something else to give you later as well,” I whisper under my breath, not looking away from him because I don’t think he’ll want the others to see this gift.
“Oh?” He quirks an eyebrow at me, drawing Sin’s attention from my side.
“Is it sexy?” She whispers.
“You shut your mouth. I’m still mad at you, so you don’t get to know.” I smirk at her, and Collins is suddenly tense behind me, followed by a very hard and long length poking into my back. I don’t acknowledge it aloud, but I do wriggle around a little bit, causing his grip to tighten on me in an attempt to keep me still.
The moment is broken by choked and uncontrollable laughter coming from Dominic. We all turn our heads, and sure enough, he’s holding a small note and the bottle of hot sauce I helped Sin pick out for him.
“This is perfect, thank you.” Dom directs toward Sin, sincerity lacing his tone as he speaks. Sin waves him off as if she doesn’t care what he thinks. One thing about my best friend isthat she cares, and the way her cheeks have pinkened gives her away.
“This is for you,” Collins says, placing a medium-sized wrapped box in my lap. I quickly unwrap it and open it to find some of my favorite treats inside, but also… a skinny velvet box that causes my heart to squeeze and pick up speed in my chest. Quickly flipping the lid, I take in the silver necklace with a small locket attached to it—upon removing the locket, I open it to a photo of us on our first date at the drive-in. Flipping it over, I see C+H is engraved on the back in his handwriting. I run my fingers along the letters in awe.
“Wow,” it’s all I can say at first. I’ve never received such a beautiful gift from anyone, and my fake boyfriend putting this much effort into a gift for me solidifies the fact that I don’t want this to be fake. I want Collins McKee to be mine. Truly and wholly mine. There’s a lingering fear that this could end in disaster like it did with Benji though and that is what keeps me from pouring all of my feelings out at Collins’ feet.
“Collins, this is beautiful. Thank you.” I turn, smiling at him and placing a gentle kiss on his lips, “Help me put it on?”
He takes the necklace from me, and I turn back toward the room, all of my friends with soft smiles on their faces. Encouraging and supportive of seeing this relationship bloom.
After finishing gifts and enjoying dinner together, everyone heads their separate ways. Collins and I are slowly walking back to our cabin. We take in the snow around us, the silence of the mountains, and the stars so clear in the sky.
“Harley,” Collins stops us in the middle of the lawn.
“Yeah?” I ask, turning toward him.
“Thank you.” Collins wraps his arms around me as we continue to take in the night sky.
