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Sam squeezed Maya’s shoulders, smiling at her father. “You don’t owe me an apology, Dr. B. I know you only want what’s best for Maya, and that’s what I want too.”

He cleared his throat, and Maya could tell whatever was coming next was emotional for him.

“My father didn’t care enough to give me or my sister any guidance at all. He didn’t even care enough to stick around. So, the fact that you’re so driven to make life as good as it possibly can be for your daughters, well.” He paused, his eyes shining. “That’s excellent in my book.”

Something shifted in her dad’s gaze, and Maya could tell that sentiment had hit home. She leaned over to kiss Sam’s cheek.

Omar blinked, his throat working. “Thank you. I really appreciate that.”

Sam glanced at Maya. “Maya is the best instructor I’ve ever worked with. She really bonds with those kids, and they have such an amazing time with her.” He met her dad’s gaze again. “And I know she won’t have told you this, because she’s too humble. But it was due to her efforts that we doubled the money raised for the children’s hospice at the charity sled race this year. The difference that money will make to those kids is down to Maya.” Sam kissed her forehead. “Plus, she saved Ben from an accounts crisis that nearly turned his whole head gray.”

Yvonne laughed, and Omar gave Sam a soft look. It was clearly dawning on her dad how much this man idolized her, and it was quickly dawning on her too. She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her head onto his shoulder, feeling like the luckiest person on the planet.

Omar swallowed. “She’s very special, and we are so proud of her.” He gave Sam a smile. “I’d appreciate it if you’d call me Omar.”

Chapter

Twenty-Eight

Sam slid his phone into the center of the table, and Maya shot him a puzzled look, trying to make out what was on the screen. “What’s that?”

Arran, sitting across from the two of them, lifted the phone before she could grab it. “The winners of the Christmas lights competition are out!”

Liv leaned in from the seat next to Arran and studied the screen. “Who won?”

Maya grimaced. “Not the big house again.”

Nico peered over Arran’s other side. “Nope. It’s that one near Sam’s.”

Maya snatched the phone from Arran, taking in the photo of Sam’s neighboring underdog house with delight. “Brilliant!”

Sam gave her a nudge. “Look who came second.”

Scrolling down, she spotted their house in second place, and the delight that swept through her was magnified by the fact that she thought of it as “theirs.”

“It’s us!”

“Awesome,” Arran said, giving them both a high five across the table. “Good work, team.”

Sam put his arm around her and gave her a squeeze. “Next year, we’ll win it.”

Joy infused her as she kissed his cheek.

Hana waved at them across the kitchen, and Maya took the signal to get out her phone and turn the music down. Glancing at Sam, she smiled. “Here comes the announcement.”

“Thank God,” he whispered. “Keeping it secret has been killing me.” Maya laughed, quieting as Hana tapped her glass.

“Rosie and I have a little Christmas Eve party announcement.” She held out her hand, and Rosie took it. Hana rubbed her belly. “We’re having a baby.”

The room erupted in cheers, and Liv leaned across the table to hug Maya and then Sam, giving them a wink. “Great news! You’re going to be an aunt, and an uncle.”

Sam shot Maya a grin. “Uncle Sam. That’s got a ring to it.”

“Ah,” Arran said with a smile. “Christmas baby news is the best kind of news.”

Sam gestured toward Arran with his beer bottle. “The other great Christmas baby news is that you get to have Jayce tomorrow night.”

“Really?” Liv said, studying Arran with delight on her face. “I thought that Jess was having him Christmas Day?”