Page 80 of Deadly Secrets

I smacked his arm and exclaimed, “Stop it.”

Zayn wouldn’t stop looking at me funny, and I found it difficult to maintain eye contact because I felt incredibly embarrassed after confessing my fantasies to him. I stood. After tightening my ponytail, I cast a glance over my shoulder.

“You’re impossible,” I muttered before adding, “I’ll see you at dinner.”

My footsteps echoed as I hurried upstairs.

Chapter 32. CHRISTMATHON

(Sienna)

“Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!”

I woke up to someone bouncing on my bed, and that someone was Maggie.

“Ugh, it’s only eight thirty, Maggie. We are not seven anymore. I went to bed only a few hours ago.”

After a delicious dinner with the Scotts, the Siegels, and Maggie, we spent the rest of the evening talking in the living room and playing cards. Everyone except for William, who apparently had to prepare some paperwork that needed to be ready before the 26th.

Before heading off to spend Christmas with her family, Rosita thoughtfully prepared a batch of homemade hot chocolate for us. Claudia entertained us with stories about baby Zayn as we sipped our mugs. He didn’t seem too thrilled when she mentioned his old fear of the dark and how her late husband had signed him up to learn martial arts so he could learn how to fend off the imaginary monsters that lurked in the shadows under his bed. It was a great night. It reminded me of those nights when I was a child, and my dad would spend hours listening to me playing the piano while my mom prepared dinner.

Maggie’s loud cries snapped me back to reality.

“Sienna, c’mon! I’m too excited to wait in my room for you to wake up. Don’t you want to open your presents?”

I couldn’t bring myself to lie to her. I’d spent the entire week pondering what Zayn and Ander might have picked out for me. During our time at Stanford, they’d casually mentioned that they’d gotten me a gift, but I honestly hadn’t built up any expectations.

With a groan, I peeled my bed sheets away and made my way to the bathroom connected to my bedroom, where I brushed my teeth and washed my face. Going through the clothes that hung in the wardrobe, I searched for a cozy outfit. I settled for a pair of blue jeans, a simple white T-shirt, my beloved Converse sneakers, and a festive Christmas sweater Sarah had sent me from Camden Market. It said, “Dear Santa. Define Good.” I loved it.

We headed downstairs, Maggie still bouncing at my side like a little puppy. As I descended the steps, the warm scent of burning wood and the tempting smell of chocolate cookies began to tickle my senses. Upon entering the living room, my jaw practically hit the floor. While I had already seen the beautifully decorated Christmas tree that Rosita and Claudia had put together, I was surprised by the multitude of presents scattered across the floor, the festive garlands adorning the marble fireplace, and the array of ornaments thoughtfully placed throughout the room. The transformation was nothing short of magical. Zayn, Claudia, and Ander were seated on the floor, sipping coffee and indulging in the cookies Maggie and I had baked the day before. William lounged comfortably in a leather wing chair, reading The New York Times.

“Oh my God! It looks amazing.”

“It really does, doesn’t it? The boys here wanted to make this day extra special for you and Maggie, understanding how much you’ve both been through in recent months. Isn’t it cute?”

Claudia’s comment took me by surprise. Cute didn’t even begin to describe the overwhelming emotion I was experiencing, realizing they went above and beyond for us. There were even stockings with our names hanging from one of the bookshelves!

“Who wants to open their presents first?” Claudia cheered, clapping both hands together.

We took turns opening our presents. Maggie had gifted me a personalized mug with a Starbucks logo that said, “I like my men like my coffee. Hot.” I didn’t say anything about the word men, but I noticed the corner of her mouth starting to curve upward as I glanced in her direction.

Funny.

“Now my turn.” I stretched out my arms, holding a box, and reached it toward Maggie. As soon as she tore away the wrapping paper, her eyes widened in surprise.

“You’re fucking kidding me, right?”

When Maggie opened the brown box and peeked inside the red bag, she whimpered, “Oh my God, oh my God. You got me a pair of fucking Louboutin?”

I knew how much she loved my shoe collection, and money had never been a problem for me. What she offered me was more valuable than any pair of shoes I could buy her. So I bought her the So Kate 120 patent-leather pumps in black. She kept eyeing mine every time she came to my apartment, so when I started planning my Christmas shopping list, I had no doubts I would buy them for her.

“I can’t believe you bought me my first pair of designer shoes…and they are fucking Louboutin!” She launched herself at me, knocking the air out of my lungs as my back hit the carpet.

“My turn!” Zayn exclaimed. “Here.” He handed me a small velvet box.

“I hope it’s not an engagement ring,” Ander commented.

Zayn snorted, and although I knew Ander was teasing, I found myself unexpectedly drawn to the idea of Zayn proposing on one knee. My stomach did a double backflip.

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