“Me too.” He pulls me close, and we sway for a few beats before he lowers his voice to ask, “How’s Gavin doing this year?”
My gaze immediately snags on the man in question at the edge of the room, where he’s talking to Shannon. There’s possibly something wrong with my brain because it feels like some sort of radar has been installed that makes me constantly aware of his location. Even without conscious thought, I can turn my head and find him. When he’s in a group of people or snagging a cookie or dancing with Julia. My eyes land right on him like my mind knew where he was all along.
“He seems okay,” I say, pulling my attention back to Gary. “We’re glad he’s back.”
“That’s good to hear. He’s had a rough life, and I’m happy he’s found some people to spend the holidays with.”
The song’s melody fades away, and Gary pulls my hand into the crook of his arm, guiding me toward Gavin. He has his phone to his ear, a tense expression across his handsome face.
“Yeah, her tires are in bad shape,” he says into the phone, and worry prickles at the back of my mind. “Thanks for letting us know. I’m sure we can find somewhere in town.”
Gary’s head tilts as Gavin hangs up and slides the phone into his pocket.
“That was Auggie. He said even though the roads were getting icy on their way home, the bridge was still passable. But your mom just heard from the neighbors that they couldn’t cross it. And with your tires … I really don’t want to risk it.” He shrugs, worry creasing his brows. “I think we’re stuck in town for the night.”
Gary perks up. “We have your … er, one cabin left open if you want it.”
A tense, silent conversation flickers between Gary and Gavin, and the hair stands up on the back of my neck.
Gavin’s fingers slide over his lips in that tantalizing way I love. “Okay. Do you mind if I sleep on your couch, though? Lena can have the cabin.”
Gary winces, turning toward Joe as he approaches. “Gavin was just asking if he could sleep on our couch tonight, but isn’t your cousin staying with us?” His nose wrinkles and Joe’s brows jump to his hairline.
“Oh yeah,” Joe sighs. “Eesh. Yeah. The couch is booked.”
Adrenaline pumps through my veins, vibrating my whole body with excitement.
But Gavin frowns as he looks between the men. “What cousin?”
Joe waves a hand over his shoulder. “Patrick. I don’t think you know him.”
“Yeah, it’s Patrick,” Gary adds, nodding quickly. “But there should be plenty of room at the cabin. It’s a big bed.”
With his hands on his hips, Gavin glares up at the ceiling, an aggravated groan rattling from his lungs. “Fucking hell.”
I can’t deny the breathless feeling in my chest at the thought of staying the night in the same bed as Gavin.
But for his sake, I try to stifle the giddy smile on my face. “I’m going to take a trip to the ladies’ room,” I tell them, pointing toward the hallway that leads to the bathrooms. “Let you all figure this out.”
On my way, I pass the exact spot where I kissed Brandon three years ago. I slide my fingers over the wall where I moaned his name but imagined the man I’ve been dreaming about for ten years.
Ten years.
That seems like enough time to get over someone if it was going to happen.
Ten years of hoping the ache to be with him would dull over time. Ten years of wishing I could taste his lips. Ten years of thinking about him in ways I shouldn’t.
Scanning myself in the bathroom mirror, I press my fingers into my red lips and remember the feeling of his soft mouth against them last night.
With only two glasses of eggnog in my system, I feel perfectly sober.
Perfectly clear to make the decision rippling through my head.
I’ve been trying to push you out of my mind for years, and it has never worked.
Same here, Gavin.
20
