Page 55 of I'd Never Date my Best Friend's Brother

“Do you think the tree is big enough?” I ask as I look at the seven-foot spruce in the corner.

“Yes,” Jess says.

“No,” Sean emphatically retorts. “There was this beautiful sugar pine that was calling my name—”

“Babe, it was nine feet tall!” Jessica rolls her eyes at him and throws her arms around the room. “Where would we have put it?”

“I know the perfect place for it in the new house.” He tilts his head and smiles at her.

“We can talk about what type of tree and where we will put it next Christmas. Right now, can we get on to decorating this tree? At this rate, it’s never gonna get done.” Jessica frowns and all but stomps her foot.

“Someone’s cranky,” Evie whispers.

“And balance has been restored to the world again.” Lenny chuckles.

“Can we please just decorate the tree?” Jessica pouts.

“Come and sit by me, babe,” Sean cajoles. “You can help me and mom finish the garland so we can get started decorating.” Jessica, with her arms crossed, starts to walk over to the couch. “Before you come can you do me a favor and grab the box with the bow on the table?”

The look she gives him has daggers shooting from her eyes.

“Please,” he asks sweetly.

The entire room presses their lips together as we watch Jessica stomp to the table and pick up the box. When she finally gets to the couch and sits next to Sean, she holds it out to him.

“Open it,” he gently nudges her.

I look over at Evie to see her watching Jess with a smile on her face. I hear everyone talking but I keep my focus on Evie. My thoughts wander and I see us decorating a tree, stringing popcorn garland with Michael Buble playing over the speakers.

As if she feels my eyes on her she looks up and meets my gaze. Her smile widens and her eyes soften. I feel my heart start to race and I walk over to her and put my arm around her, pulling her close to my side.

I kiss the top of her head and feel her lean into me, wrapping her arms around my waist.

At Jessica’s gasp I look back to my sister. Her eyes are glassy as she looks at the rectangle shaped ornament in her hand.

“Do you like it?” Sean asks.

“I love it!” Jessica leans in and gives Sean a kiss. “It’s perfect!”

“Are you going to show it to us, or are you going to stare at it the entire night?” I tease.

Jessica glares at me before holding it up for everyone, except me to see. She then sticks her tongue out at me, and I roll my eyes and laugh.

It really does feel good to see my grumpy sister make an appearance. As much as I enjoy having a happy Jessica, it’s still pretty weird.

“Sean, that’s the perfect ornament for your first tree together.” Sarah smiles adoringly at her son.

“Perfect,” my mom agrees as she leans in and gives Jess a kiss on the cheek. Jessica beams at her.

“Can I see?” Evie asks. Jessica finally turns to show us. Evie gasps. “Sean, I love it! It’s perfect! Though you are the best gift giver, so I shouldn’t be surprised.”

“You’re a pretty good gift giver, too,” I whisper to Evie, and she gives me a squeeze, acknowledging she heard me.

I turn my eyes to the box that Jessica is holding out. There is an ornament of a red front door with a wreath on it. The door is surrounded by white molding and some potted shrubs. On the very top of the molding is written in cursive, ‘The O’Connells’.

The expression that lights Jessica’s face as she looks at the ornament one last time just reinforces how perfect Sean is for her.

Watching them together is almost like witnessing the taming of the shrew. Sean knows exactly what to do in order to keep Jess happy and content.

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