I glance up at Nick, who’s helping his dad prep the ingredients for the stew. He looks over and winks at me.
I feel my cheeks heat and turn back to Anna. “Your brother can be really sweet and romantic.”
An amused smile flashes across my best friend’s face as she looks over at Nick, then me. “Really?”
I nod. “He makes me breakfast on the weekends. He takes me out for ice cream to celebrate whenever I hit a milestone on my channel. And he always falls asleep cuddling me.”
Her smile softens. “Okay, that’s cute.” She lets out a breath and shakes her head. “This is wild. I never would have guessed you’d ever end up with each other. It’s perfect though. He’s a dumb jock. You’re brilliant and beautiful. I guess opposites really do attract.”
We both laugh. “You’re really okay with this? With me dating your brother?”
She nods, her expression warm. “Of course I’m okay with this. My best friend and my brother are together. How perfect.”
We hug again, then head back to the kitchen. Scott and Shannon head to the garage to grab extra chairs for the dining table for when Ryker and Madeline walk in.
Anna gives Nick a quick hug.
“I heard the news. You and Poppy are the real deal,” she says.
He grins proudly. “Yup.”
She pats his chest. “Be good to my best friend, okay? Otherwise I’ll kill you.”
He nods once, like he was expecting his sister to say that. “I will.”
When she walks off to grab a cinnamon roll, Nick slides his arm around me. “You know, usually it’s the other way around. You threaten the person dating your sibling,” he teases, then kisses my temple. I chuckle.
Anna rolls her eyes while fighting a smile. “Poppy is a gem and would never hurt anyone. You’re lucky to be with her.”
Nick looks at me, his gaze warm. “I know.”
Chapter 49
Nick
“Who wants to open the last gift?” Ryker asks as he holds up a small box wrapped in gold paper with a big red bow on it.
We’re all sitting in the living room unwrapping presents.
“Who’s it for?” Anna asks.
“It’s for all of you,” Ryker looks at his wife Madeline, who’s sitting on the couch next to him.
They exchange a knowing smile as they look at each other.
Ryker looks at all of us. “It’s the gender of the baby.”
Everyone gasps. My mom holds out her hands. “Can I open it?”
Ryker lets a grin break free and nods, then hands our mom the small box. My gruff big brother hardly ever smiles, but today, I’ve lost count of the number of times he’s grinned. Every time he looks at Madeline, he smiles, then glances at her belly. And now we know why. They’ve been planning an epic Christmas surprise for all of us.
Ryker pats Madeline’s stomach gently before giving her a kiss on the forehead.
I elbow him. “Way to outshine the rest of us with that gift. You’re definitely the favorite kid now. She’s gonna forget all about that restaurant gift card I got her,” I joke.
Ryker just rolls his eyes. Our mom beams at Madeline. “Did you do this for your mom too last night on Christmas Eve?”
Madeline smiles and nods. “Yeah. She loved it.”
