My heart skips a beat at his words. It’s sentimental but just perfect at this moment. I nod, blinking back the sudden sting of tears at the gift having so much meaning. A lump forms in my throat. “Cam…”
“I know the last couple of years haven’t been easy, with your accident and recovery. But you’ve been so strong, Greg. And every day, I fall more in love with you.”
My emotions threaten to spill over. I swallow hard. “I couldn’t have done it without you. I know I’ve said it before, but you’re my rock, Cam. Thank you. For everything.”
He smiles, that knee-weakening grin of his. “Merry Christmas, babe.”
“Merry Christmas.” I pull him close and kiss him deep. Cam’s mouth is hot, his lips soft, and his tongue tastes of coffee and the pastries we’d shared for breakfast earlier. My blood heats and I want more. So much more. He groans, one hand tangling in my hair as he angles my face. I’m lost in his scent, his taste, his hands on my body—
A knock at the front door breaks the spell.
We pull apart and Cam arches a brow. “Damn! Who on earth could that be?”
I shrug, equally puzzled. “No idea. We’re not expected at Madi’s ’til later, and I can’t think of anyone who’d drop by unannounced on Christmas morning.”
There’s another knock, more insistent this time.
“I hope everything’s okay,” Cam says as we heave ourselves up from the nest of discarded wrapping paper in front of the Christmas tree.
When I swing open the door, there’s Madi, her blonde hair peeking out from under a knitted hat, and her cheeks flushed from the cold. She’s shifting nervously from foot to foot on our welcome mat.
“Madi?” I blink in surprise. “What are you doing here? I thought we were seeing you, Dan, and the kids later?”
She offers a tentative smile. “I know. I’m sorry for just dropping by like this. But I wanted to talk to you and Cam about something… something important.”
My stomach knots in concern as I step aside to let her in. It’s not like Madi to show up unannounced, especially not on Christmas morning when she’s usually home celebrating with her own kids. She’s always been the plan-ahead type, the one who sends out invitations for family get-togethers or calls first.
“Is everything okay?” I ask, searching her face for clues. “Are the kids alright? Dan?”
“Everyone’s fine,” she assures me quickly, stepping inside and placing a hand on my arm. “Really. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
Cam moves forward to take Madi’s coat. “Why don’t you come into the living room and sit down? I’ll make us some coffee. Oh, and Merry Christmas.”
Madi smiles and leans in to peck a kiss on his cheek. “Merry Christmas, Cam.”
She follows us to the living room and perches on the edge of the armchair. I notice the way she twists her wedding ring around her finger, a nervous habit I’ve seen a thousand times before. My mind races with possibilities as Cam disappears into the kitchen to start the coffee. What could be so important that she felt she needed to come over right away? A strange foreboding blooms in my chest, and I find myself suddenly impatient for Cam to hurry back.
I throw Madi an encouraging smile, trying to ignore the unease brewing inside me. “So… what’s going on?”
She meets my gaze, her blue eyes, so much like my own, searching mine. “It’s nothing bad, I promise. I just… I wanted to talk to you and Cam about something important. Something that couldn’t wait.”
I nod slowly. “Okay. Whatever it is, you can tell us, and we’ll support you.”
She smiles then, a real smile that eases some of the tightness in my chest. “I know. That’s why I’m here.”
In the kitchen, I hear Cam pulling down the sugar bowl, the fridge opening and closing as he grabs the cream. I fight the urge to call out to him, to tell him to hurry up. I know he’s giving us space, letting Madi and I have a moment together, but right now, I need him by my side. Plus, it seems she wants to talk to the two of us together.
Finally, he appears in the doorway with a tray of steaming mugs. He sets the tray down on the coffee table and passes a mug to Madi and one to me. Madi wraps her fingers around her mug and holds it tight.
Cam settles next to me on the couch, his thigh pressing against mine. Under different circumstances, the contact would be reassuring, but right now, all I can focus on is the way Madi looks at us over the rim of her mug.
“Okay, Madi,” Cam says gently, “we’re all ears. What’s on your mind?”
She takes a sip of her coffee, then sets the mug back down. She squares her shoulders, like she’s steeling herself for something big. I hold my breath, and Cam tenses beside me.
“Like I said, it’s nothing bad, I promise. I just wanted to give you your Christmas gift in private,” she says. “It’s something just for you.”
My brow furrows. A gift? We normally have fun exchanging presents with the family, but she doesn’t look joyful—she looks… apprehensive.
