Page 32 of Forgotten Romance

I have an idea. And Ford will help.

Relief washes over me at how easily they’ve all jumped on board. Maybe they had plans, maybe they didn’t; it doesn’t matter because not one of them has questioned me or given pushback.

Griff:

Given my last advice went so horribly, I’ll be the one to take Mack out. I’m suddenly agreeing that I might not be the romantic one of the group.

Art:

Thank you. My title has been restored.

I close out of the chat, then wait for the moment Mack’s phone rings.

Okay, okay, okay. I give myself a pep talk while I wait for Mack to get home. I’m nervous as I pace the living room while Kiera and Van polish off their dinner. I’ve already dressed them in festive outfits, a decision I’m already regretting based on the pasta sauce covering Van’s face.

But at least they’re quiet.

And away from all the white.

I pace back toward the living room door and glance inside again. The tall pine is bare in the corner, with a giant box of decorations right next to it. The rest of the room? Well, it looks like a cloud threw up in there. Orson and Ford have covered the place in white roses while the kids, Payne, Keller, Art, and Joey all helped me make paper snowflakes to hang from the ceiling. Christmas carols are playing—thanks, Keller—and Payne lit a whole bunch of cinnamon candles that have been placed up well out of Van’s reach.

Nighttime is pressing on the two large front windows, and I’ve dimmed the lights right down.

Now, all I need is Mack.

Fuck, I hope he likes this.

The soft sound of a motor lets me know someone has pulled up out the front, and I scramble to tidy up the mess the kids have made and clear their dinner from the table. Then I scrub at Van’s face, pick the stray spaghetti off them both, and grab the tray of snacks I stashed in the fridge.

I’ve just set it on the living room table when the front door opens.

I can hear him in the hall, shuffling about, dumping his keys in the bowl, and kicking off his boots. His coat will go next, then the scarf and his jacket. My whole body warms at the familiar motion.

Van goes to dart forward, but I hoist him up off the ground instead.

“Dadda.”

“I know, buddy. He’s coming now. Can you surprise Dad with a big smile?” He tries. “Bigger. Biiigger.” I tickle his ribs as a distraction, and he lets out the most adorable giggle?—

Right as Mack steps into the room.

His droopy expression changes instantly to surprise as his big eyes move from me to the kids to the tree.

“Wha … what’s all this?”

I put Van down and watch him launch himself at Mack.

“Daddy said we can decorate the tree.” Kiera claps her hands together. “Can we start now?”

“Yeah, of course.”

Kiera and Van run for the box of decorations and get to work while I approach where Mack is still standing.

“Why didn’t you tell me? I could have helped you pick up the tree.”

I shake my head. “If I told you, it wouldn’t have been much of a surprise, would it?”

“You wanted to surprise me?”

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