“Did you not get anything for her?”Paul asked Seth.
Seth chuckled.“I did.We’re going to open presents later when the others get here.We’re set up at Cadence’s house.”
“That was a sweet surprise,” I said.
“What surprise?”Liberty asked.
“They snuck in last night after I was asleep and put their presents under my tree.”
Liberty and Paul grinned big as they gave Seth a knowing look.Seth actually looked embarrassed as he glanced away from their scrutiny.
I bit back a smile and allowed myself to relax.Now it was my turn to make Seth embarrassed.
“I’m so glad I finally got to meet you.Seth has told me so much about the both of you.”
“Really?”Paul actually seemed like he didn’t believe me as he raised his eyebrow slightly, waiting for me to expand.
“Of course.And I know I don’t really have a place to say this, but Seth is someone precious to me because he had such a strong role model in his life.”
“Cadence.”Seth groaned, face turning darker with his embarrassment.
Paul chuckled, his eyes softening as he looked at his stepson.There was a depth to his expression that took me a moment to piece together.Pride.Affection.Maybe even a bit of nostalgia.The love from Paul was completely clear and solid, leaving no doubt.Paul truly loved Seth and would fight the world for him.
“Well,” Paul said after a moment, voice filled with warmth.“I can’t take all the credit, but I’m glad to hear he’s behaving himself with you.Otherwise, I would have to kick his ass.”
I laughed.“I think you might have to get in line.And I’m sure Seth would try to kick his own ass too.”
“Okay, enough.”Seth wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me into his side so we were pressed against each other.His warmth was comfortable and reassuring, his scent helping to keep me relaxed.“You guys go relax.I’m keeping my girlfriend with me and putting her to work.”
“To work?”This was the first time I was hearing that.
“I’m going to teach you how to cook a Christmas dinner.I have everything ready for you.”
“I can help,” Liberty offered.
“Nope.Go relax.”Seth practically pushed them out of the room.
“What do you want to do?”I asked Janice.
She laughed.“Well, if he’s going to be distracted with cooking, then I need to do my duty and dig up dirt on him from his parents.”
“What?”Seth turned from the fridge.“No.Keep away from them.”
“Too late.”Janice practically ran from the room.
“Shit.”
“You can’t stop her,” I said.
He sighed and ran a hand over his head.“I know, I just...she’s a very outgoing person.”
I shrugged.“How else could she have pulled me out of my cave?She likes to declare that she adopted me when we met.”
Seth chuckled and pulled me into a hug.“I can see that, I think.”
He looked down at me, heat in his gaze.“And now that we are alone, Merry Christmas, Cadence.”
I smiled back at him, feeling a little lightheaded and goofy.“Merry Christmas,” I murmured.
