“Okay, how come you’ve never told us you could bake?” he continues. “Did you know about this?”
“Baking is my holiday secret,” she replies. I don’t think Jaxon’s little slip-up gave anything away to Cam because he’s standing over by the stove trying more of Brinley’s mashed potatoes.
“New rule,” Jaxon begins, “anytime you come over, you have to bring a dessert.”
“You haven’t even tried it.” She laughs. “How do you even know if it’s good?”
“My nose tells all.”
“He’s telling the truth,” Brinley begins. “One time, I couldn’t find a seasoning, so I just left it out of the meal, and he knew what was missing before even taking a bite.”
“It’s a talent.” He puffs out his chest.
“Yeah, your only one.” Brinley smirks.
“Where’s everyone else?” Cam asks.
“They should be here shortly,” I begin. “You guys are early, but even if you weren’t, you know these guys don’t know what time is unless hockey is involved.”
“Sorry, I was worried about the snow; we didn’t wanna be late,” she replies.
“No worries.” I grin, making sure Cam’s eyes aren’t on us as I lean in, pressing my lips against her ear. “The more time with you, the better.”
“I’m here!” I hear the front door hitting the wall as it swings open. “The party has officially begun.”
Zeke walks into the kitchen with two pans wrapped up in foil.
“My mom wouldn’t let me show up empty-handed.” His eyebrows knit together as he sets down the pans. “Like, why can’t I show up empty-handed to my own house?”
“Is that where you’ve been all day?” Jaxon asks, sneaking a little piece of the pumpkin cake off the plate. I laugh, but no one else seems to notice.
“Yeah, with my mom.” He seems unsure of his answer, but I don’t know where else he would be. We don’t get a lot of days off during the season, so he spends as much time with her as he can when we do.
“I’m surprised,” Ember begins. “Out of everyone, I was sure you’d be the last to show.”
“I’m offended that my best friend would think that little of me,” he scoffs.
“Best friend, huh?” Cam asks. “Did this happen when you took her to the banquet?”
“It happened when this project took over our living room almost every day of the week.” Zeke throws an arm over Ember’s shoulder. “She wasn’t allowed to leave until we got in a few rounds ofNHL 17.”
“And let me guess, she kicked your ass?” Cam wonders.
“Every time,” he groans.
“I don’t think I’ve beaten her once,” Cam continues. “I mean, we actually play hockey; it’s crazy that she’s unbeatable.”
“When you spend most of your childhood in your bedroom, you have time to gain new skills.” She leans against the island. “It’s a specialty of mine.”
“Okay, the ham is almost done,” Brinley interrupts. “When are the rest of the guys gonna get here?”
“Jere and Fletch are picking up Tate,” Zeke responds.
“Brooks and Liv should be here soon; he texted me maybe twenty minutes ago to say they were leaving,” Jaxon adds.
“Alright, well, let’s start getting food on the table, yeah?” Brinley says, shoving the mashed potatoes at Jaxon. “You guys can make yourself useful for the first time today.”
“Um, I set the table,” I argue.
