He turned to Candace to clink glasses and give her a quick kiss. Sophia demanded one as well.
“Me, me, me, what about me?” Noah asked, jumping up and down with his glass of ginger ale nearly spilling.
Everyone laughed as they reached down to clink glasses with him one-by-one.
“The rest of the guests will be arriving shortly,” Candace said. “We just wanted to make sure to thank you all for everything you’ve done for us. It means so much.”
It still caught me off guard how quickly I’d come to feel at home among the Ashfords. I had a family and a bright future thanks to the people gathered in this room.
I glanced at Logan who was somehow managing to drain his champagne glass with one hand while twirling Noah with the other.
Before Logan and I had collided, I’d felt like I was lost at sea. What had seemed like a shipwreck at first had transformed into the happiest of accidents of my life, all thanks to the handsome sailor who couldn’t stop smiling at me.
33
LOGAN
Christmas Eve at the big house just felt right.
We’d all done our own thing for the past few years, but the renewed closeness meant that we were going old school for the holidays this year. That meant everyone under one roof as Santa paid his annual visit.
We were supposed to be winding down, but Noah was hopped up on too much gingerbread, thanks to the house he was supposed to decorate but wound up eating. It had taken Gwen forever to get Sophia to sleep, and I had a feeling that Noah would be asking for glasses of water and another story for hours. The threat of being on the naughty list didn’t hold any weight when Santa was already in the air and loaded down with gifts.
We were all camped out in one of our recently renovated rooms, transformed under Nina’s guidance from seldom-used sitting room to an old-world library and study complete with a roaring fire and the biggest Christmas tree in the house. I’d wanted to keep the room as sleek as the skybrary at my old place, but Nina had insisted on a classic, cozy vibe.
As always, she was right. It had become the room in the house everyone felt drawn to when they wanted to wind down and relax. Tonight, we’d all found our favorite spots to lounge and sip nightcaps while we listened to vintage Christmas music.
Ariel stalked in wearing a festive collar and regarded everyone with the disdain of a grown cat. She was still snuggly with us, but at heart, she was an introvert who wasn’t a fan of crowds. Still, she opted to hang out in the library instead of disappearing into a closet, which I took as a win. If anyone could bring out her social side, it would be through the combined efforts of Noah and his Aunt Emilia, who was an animal whisperer no matter the species.
“Hey,” Nina said as she plopped down on the sofa beside me.
“Hi there,” I said, drawing her close to me. I paused to take her in then lowered my voice. “You look tired. Too much hostessing?”
She laughed at me. “Please. You know I live for this stuff. I’m happiest when I’m making memories with my favorite people. And don’t forget I’ve had Gwen, Emilia, Candace, and Josie pitching in on the prep.”
“And the men did the clean-up,” I reminded her.
“As you should,” she said primly.
I studied her profile, lit by the glow of the fire.
“You’re so fucking beautiful.”
There was a commotion from behind the couch.
“Daddy!” Noah exclaimed wearing a scandalized expression. “That’s a bad word!”
“Oh, bud, I didn’t know you were there. You’re right, I shouldn’t say that word.”
Nina giggled. “This feels very familiar. You cursing for little ears to hear.”
I dropped my head back. “Don’t remind me. That’s what started everything.”
Noah held up a little hybrid walkie talkie device he’d gotten from his Uncle Drew, which was part of our pact to open one gift on Christmas Eve. “I was recording you. Here, listen.”
He fussed with the buttons.
“Noey, please don’t.” I reached for the device. “Show me how to delete it.”
