"I hope you aren't suggesting more real estate deals," Jack said with a grimace.
"You have to roll with the punches on real estate," Greg told him.
"I'll stick with engineering from now on," Jack said.
"And restaurateuring," I reminded him, wrapping a hand around his waist.
Belle handed Greg a cocktail. He stared at her.
"Don't look at my sister," Jack snapped.
"He can look if he wants to." Belle winked.
Greg inhaled some of his food and started coughing. Liam wacked him on the back, while Carl snickered into his drink.
"Did we miss the party?" Dana called out as she and Gunnar walked into the living room.
"Mistletoe!" Gunnar said and kissed her playfully. She shoved him off with a half-smile.
"You look like you need a drink," I told Dana.
"Don't mind if I do."
Gunnar went over to his brothers.
"Are you doing Christmas in Harrogate?" Jack asked.
"Yep, driving over there after this. The car is packed full with presents for the kids. My brother, Remy, apparently has a huge Christmas tree in the house."
"How many brothers do you have?" Belle asked.
"There's close to a hundred of us. My father is on wife number nine or ten," Liam said.
"Good gracious," Belle said. She turned to Jack. "And we thought we had a big family."
"You'll be seeing more of us if rumors are true and you're joining my no-count half-brother on his quest to create the trashiest reality TV known to man," Greg said.
Belle smiled. "I'm looking forward to it. I enjoy a little creative romance."
Liam and I stifled a laugh as we saw a slight flush creep up Greg's neck.
Belle grinned toothily at him. "Who knows? Next year, you could be the Grinch that learns to love Christmas."
"I like Christmas," Greg protested.
"Are you kidding me? Greg, you complained nonstop about coming to this party. You hate Christmas," Liam said. "I had to listen to a rant from you not even five hours ago about the sheeple who overdo Christmas and wait to break up with their significant other until after Christmas and how much you hate having to go to three holiday parties a week and—"
"Thank you, Liam, that's enough," Greg said.
"Greg," Jack said, putting an arm around the investor's shoulder. "Take it from a reformed Christmas hater—you need to relax and let the spirit of Christmas fill your heart."
"Or you could just have some more Christmas cheer punch," I told him, topping off his glass. "That will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside."
"You make me warm and fuzzy inside," Jack said, wrapping his arm around my waist.
"The mistletoe is that way," Liam said, pushing us towards a doorway.
"I don't need mistletoe to kiss you," Jack said, tipping me back and kissing me deeply. "I love you, Chloe."
"I love you too, Jack." I felt tears prickle in my eyes.
"Don't cry,"he said and kissed me. "Stick with me, Chloe. I promise it will be Christmas every day of the year."
* * *
