“Oh my God,” Amy said.
“H?Is that you?” a woman shouted. Suddenly Hillary appeared, pushing through the crowd toward them. She had little Christmas lights flashing in her hair.
“Hillary,” Harrison said. “Do you live here now?”
“Very funny, H. Carol invited me to stay for the holidays!”
He was chatting with Hillary when he heard a woman say loudly, “You arekiddingme.” He turned; a woman wearing a sequined dress had hold of Amy’s arm. The woman was gorgeous.
Amy grinned at him. “Harrison, this is my best friend, Julie Kleinhoff. Also known as the one who lent me the house.”
“Well, well,well,” Julie said, swaying slightly. “Look atyou, sir.”
“Umm…”
“You two must be in love,” she added. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Okay,” Amy said, and put her hands on Julie’s shoulders. “There is another poinsettia cocktail at the bar with your name on it. Tell them to make it a virgin.” She turned her around.
“It won’t work, Amy!” Julie tossed over her shoulder, but obediently stumbled on.
Amy smiled sheepishly at Harrison. “I warned you.”
“Oh, I had a pretty good idea of what I was in for,” he assured her. “Would you like to dance, Ms. Casey?”
“I think I would,” Amy said, and slipped her hand into his. Harrison cut a path to the so-called dance floor, dominated by a large, dazzling Christmas tree. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” was playing.
“H! We weren’t expecting you!” Melissa was upon them now, wearing an apron painted like a sexy elf. “You’re just in time.”
“For what?” Amy asked warily.
“The Bossy Posse has a little something planned,” Melissa said. “Good to see you, H! Why did I think you were golfing somewhere?” she asked as she sailed past.
Harrison took Amy in his arms and began to dance. “This is nuts.”
“It’s only getting started,” Amy pointed out.
“What do you think the Posse has planned?”
“TikTok video?” Amy guessed.
“Jewel heist?” Harrison said.
“Surgery?”
They laughed.
And then they danced. It was the most magical thing to dance with someone he loved in the midst of chaos. If anyone was curious about him and Amy, they kept it to themselves, so they kept dancing. And when they needed to quench their thirst, they had a few drinks. They ate a few sweets. And they, along with everyone else, crowded around to watch the risqué performance of the Bossy Posse doing their rendition of “Santa Baby,” with the reluctant help of a couple of men in the crowd. It was all recorded for posterity and TikTok.
It was a blast.
That night, Harrison slept on a couch in Amy’s living room while Kevin bunked with Ethan. On Christmas morning, the entire family gathered, Amy’s parents arriving at eight, her ex arriving at a quarter past and staring hard at Harrison as he passed him on the way to the kitchen. Kevin stumbled into the kitchen at ten to nine. By then, Ethan was about to come out of his skin, he was so eager to open his presents.
Amy decreed it was time, and they gathered in the den. The boys wasted no time tearing into their gifts, oohing and aahing at things they’d been given. Harrison had come with gifts for everyone, all purchased at the airport in Miami at the last minute. Well, except for Ryan,who he’d not expected to be here—but everyone else. Perfume for Barb. A silver tee marker for Bob. A fishing hat for Kevin. Over-the-ear headphones for the boys.
“Wow!” Jonah said. “These areawesome.” He immediately stuffed them onto his head.
“Oh my God, H. You didn’t need to get us anything,” Barb said. “We’re just so glad you’re here. You’re practically family now.”
