“The whole day was pretty fantastic,” she says, smiling. “You guys did a really good job.”
“Thanks.” I kiss her forehead. “Piece of cake, really.”
No way in hell am I going to tell her just how much of a clusterfuck it was putting our Christmas do-over together. She doesn’t need to know. None of the girls need to know. Theycan keep thinking we’re all masters of party planning, not even sweating the details.
“I can’t wait to see what you guys do to make up for New Years.”
Oh no. I let out a pained groan.
CHAPTER TWELVE: BEST CHRISTMAS EVER
GRACE
“So, how did everyone sleep?”I ask, looking around the huge gourmet kitchen with a little smirk, thinking of the fun Jensen and I had last night. I knew he’d like the Mrs. Clause outfit, but he really,reallygot into it. My legs are a little wobbly this morning.
The snow stopped sometime in the night and it’s a bright day, the sun reflecting off the snow and warming the house through its large windows. The girls and I are all up making breakfast for the guys, who are still dead asleep. Poor boys wore themselves out yesterday. We cleaned up the kitchen, but the living room is a bit of a mess, with beer and wine bottles, wrapping paper, and ribbons littering the floor. Gizmo is having a blast, pouncing on tissue paper and getting himself tangled up in the discarded bows.
Skyler looks up from the griddle, where she and Rylee are making pancakes shaped like Christmas trees and snowmen. Stacey has her arms draped around their shoulders, inspecting their work.
“Oh, I slept like a rock,” Skyler says, her eyes glinting mischievously behind her glasses. “Carson made sure of that.”
“Yeah, Zander made sure I slept very well,” Rylee chimes in with a chuckle. “Wore me right out.”
“Owen helped me pass out too,” Stacey chuckles, moving to sit on a chair we’ve pulled up from the dining table to the island for her. “Though, to be fair, I don’t need too much help sleeping nowadays. I always appreciate his assistance, though.”
Sutton, who’s manning a frying pan on the stove filled with sizzling bacon, lets out an exasperated groan.
“Okay, you all got fucked into oblivion last night. We get it! Stop rubbing my nose in it.”
I move next to her and bump my hip against hers.
“Here I was thinking you and Wilder might hit it off,” I confess. “No luck, huh?”
Sutton arches a brow and shakes her head. “Wilder? Don’t get me wrong, he’s a nice guy and all, and super hot, but I think we’re better as buddies than anything else. He’s pretty fun to hang out with.”
Dang. I suppose that makes sense, though. I figured it was a long shot, but the idea of Sutton falling for someone on the team and joining us in Denver… it would’ve been great. But hey, I know that’s kind of a selfish wish. She has her life and her family in New York, and I know how important working for her family’s company is.
“Oh, well,” I sigh, dropping my chin on her shoulder. “Was worth a shot.”
She chuckles. “I appreciate the hookup attempt.”
I give her a squeeze before moving back to the task I was doing beforehand, getting out dishes to set the table.
“What smells so good?” a deep voice asks, startling me.
I gasp and jump, but before I can turn around, Jensen slips his arms around my waist.
“Morning, gorgeous.” He presses a kiss to my cheek. “How are you?”
“I’m good.” I turn to face him and slip my arms around his neck. “How are you?”
“Mmmm, well rested.” He grins.
I chuckle. “We were just talking about how good we all slept last night.”
Jensen glances around at the other girls. “Yeah, that sounds about right. You all making breakfast?”
“We thought we’d do a little something for you guys after all you’ve done for us.” I pick up the plates and slip past him toward the table. “A thank you for such a wonderful day yesterday.”
