“Wilder,” she says. “He deserves a little something too.”
“Ahhhh, that’s so sweet!” I bat my eyelashes at her. “Look at you being all cute and generous.”
“And platonic,” she adds, holding up a finger. “Don’t get any ideas, Sky.”
I hold up my hands and assure her, “No assumptions, got it! It’s just a nice, friendly gesture.”
“Exactly.”
When we’re done, we climb back into the SUVs and make our way back to the house.
“I wonder if the guys will tell us what they’ve really been up to,” Grace says during the drive. “Or do you think they’ll keep trying to convince us they have no ulterior motives?”
I laugh and shake my head. “I have no idea. I can’t imagine they’ll be able to keep their secrets for much longer. I’m still betting on some bro-on-bro loving, personally.”
“I have a feeling we’re going to find out whatever it is,” Stacey murmurs, rubbing a hand over her belly. “I’m pretty sure this spa day was just a distraction for us.”
I’ve been thinking that too, and I’m dying of curiosity to find out what the guys have been up to all day.
We reach the house and the SUVs park in the driveway. Getting out, we all head to the front door together, clutching our shopping bags, excitement bubbling up so high that it's almost palatable between us.
“Hey, hold on,” Grace suddenly says, coming to a stop. She’s gazing through the large windows of the house. “Are those… Christmas lights?”
Frowning, I look and am surprised that there does appear to be a string of white Christmas lights hanging around the window inside the house. They’re draped along the frame, but they’re uneven and a little awkward looking.
“What the hell?” I murmur. “Those weren’t there earlier, right?”
We all share confused looks with each other before rushing to the front door. Opening it, we step inside… and freeze.
“Surprise!” The guys are gathered in the living room near the fireplace, dressed in button-ups under Christmas sweaters and dress slacks. The house is decorated for Christmas. They even have a tree! There’s a garland hung along the mantel, the previously-spotted white Christmas lights around the windows, and the aforementioned tree is covered in lights and mismatched ornaments, including… wait, is that an Elsa tree topper? Okay. I catch the smell of food from the kitchen. Savory dishes and a hint of cinnamon that I think just always appears in the air when Christmas is happening. There’s also a slight burnt smell underlying it all, though it’s not overwhelming. My jaw drops, and glancing around, I can tell the other girls are as shocked as I am.
“What the hell is going on?” I finally manage to ask.
Carson grins from his spot next to the other guys, looking so handsome in his silly sweater and black pants, and answers, “Zander had the idea to put together a Christmas do-over for you all since everyone’s sucked so bad. We wanted it to be a surprise.”
Rylee gasps, her eyes locking on Zander. “What? You really came up with this?”
Looking sheepish, Zander shrugs. “I mean, it was kind of a group effort, but when you told me you wished we could’ve been together for Christmas, I wanted to find a way to make it up to you.”
“And we only had three near-death experiences,” Carson declares.
“Four,” Owen corrects.
“Ah, right. Four.”
Rylee lets out a happy squeal and rushes to Zander, jumping into his arms and wrapping her legs around his waist. Taking his face in both her hands, she drops kisses all over his cheeks before landing on his lips.
“You are the sweetest!” she exclaims.
“Is that… a Hello Kitty wreath?” Grace asks, pointing to the window next to the front door.
“It’s Millie’s,” Owen says, smiling with pride.
Grace grins. “It’s perfect.”
“The penis ornament wasmycontribution,” Carson exclaims, pointing toward the tree, where my ornament is on display front and center.
Grace sees it and flinches. “Less perfect.”
