She grins. “Of course not! I haven't told you the part where he handed me a bracelet that probably costs more than my car.”
"Tina," I murmur, my eyes immediately zeroing in on her wrist.
"Don't worry," she says. "I didn't accept it."
"Okay," I say, nodding in approval.
I glance at her, sensing there’s more.
She bites her bottom lip. “I did break the no-kiss-on-the-first-date rule, though,” she confesses.
“You didn’t!” I exclaim in mockhorror.
“Listen, before you judge," she exclaims. "The helicopter brought us back to a private helipad, where a limo was waiting to drive us home. He walked me to the door. It was an incredible date, Elle. It just felt right.”
“So how was it?” I ask, unable to hide my curiosity.
"First, let me tell you, Vince is like the male version of Meghan. Very attractive. He has dark hair with just the right amount of gray at the temples—honestly, it makes him even more handsome. He’s over six feet tall, broad shoulders, strong physique. Nothing like the muscles on the Callahan brothers, but he’s also twenty-something years older, so I’m not complaining. He has a genuine smile that instantly pulls you in. His hands are big and strong. His style is impeccable, but not stuffy. He showed up in a navy sport coat over a crisp white shirt—no tie, just enough unbuttoned to look confident, not cocky. Dark jeans, polished shoes. Classy, effortless, and honestly? Way more attractive than guys our age trying too hard. He took my hand in his and kissed it, and when he looked into my eyes, I was completely mesmerized. His eyes are this striking aqua blue that I find absolutely irresistible. Elle, he held my gaze and said, ‘I had a great time. I’d like to take you out again.’ Tell me, how could I say no? Oh, and he smelled amazing. A woodsy cedar, citrus scent I couldn’t get enough of.”
“Dang,” is all I can muster.
"The dessert we had was something smooth and chocolaty. I refuse to call it mousse because that sounds cheap, and given that it probably cost him a fortune, I’m choosing to believe it was chocolate-covered clouds pulleddown from the heavens just for me. Anyway, he kissed my knuckles, and the next thing I knew, his lips were on mine. He tasted just like dessert. Something heavenly I couldn’t get enough of."
“Wow,” I mutter, watching a mischievous smile light up her face. She’s totally into him. I can tell.
“So while you were making out with the hottie next door,” she goes on, “I was standing on our porch, being thoroughly kissed by a man twice my age and loving every single second of it.”
***
After Cal, Hannah, and I drop off Christmas gifts for every girl in the group home, we linger for a moment outside the door. The girls are already peeking inside their gift bags, their faces lighting up with excitement, even though they can’t open anything until tomorrow. I watch them through the window, remembering the Christmases I spent here. A place that never quite felt like home. But today, it’s about making it feel like home for these girls.
Hannah’s hand slips into mine, and I glance down at her, noticing how she watches the girls, her heart open and kind. It reminds me of the girl I once was, full of hope and searching for somewhere to belong. And now, with Cal and Hannah, I’ve finally found it.
“Can we go to Grandma and Grandpa's now?” Hannah asks, her voice full of anticipation.
“Yes,” Cal says, meeting my gaze. "Let's go."
***
The Callahan house looks like it was plucked from a classic Christmas movie. Lights twinkle along the roof, garlands wrap the banister in fragrant pine, and a fire crackles in the stone hearth like it’s been waiting all day for us to gather. The air smells like roasted ham, cinnamon, and something sweet Johanna pulled out of the oven right after we walked in.
Inside, the long table is already set—red and gold plates, holly tucked into folded napkins, candles flickering in the center. It’s gorgeous and welcoming.
“Don’t even think about it,” Johanna says, pointing a wooden spoon at Seth, who’s inching toward the breadbasket.
“I’m wasting away,” he groans, flopping into a chair like he’s just crawled in from a desert.
“You had three sugar cookies in the car,” Thomas says, elbowing him as he walks past.
“Three and a half,” Beth corrects, smirking.
Hannah, wearing a red velvet dress and glittery rubber bands on her curls, tugs on Cal’s hand. “Daddy, can I put the angel on the tree now?”
“After dinner, Hannah Banana,” he says, scooping her up and kissing her on the cheek.
Mitchell lifts the lid on the ham with a dramatic flourish. “All right, Jo, should I carve? Or do we just stare at it reverently for another twenty minutes?”
“Depends,” she says, hands on her hips. “Did Santa bring me what I wanted for Christmas?”
