Page 11 of A Second Chance Christmas Kiss

Sebastian sat across from me, reaching for a roll and stuffing a bite in his mouth. “Yeah, and we’ve been waiting to surprise you.”

Liam snatched a roll. “Waiting too long.”

I laughed and watched all of them dish up and dig into dinner.

Grandmother simply grinned. “Best Christmas surprise ever.”

My spirits were extremely lifted at the fact my brothers were all sitting here. “Did you all come home to be at the gala?”

All of them shook their heads.

Donovan took a sip of water and said, “We all coordinated, and we could only get leave together for tonight.” He shrugged and looked at the others. “I have to leave tomorrow at six am.”

Sebastian poked me in the side with his elbow. “Our focus was to try to see you and Grandmother and each other at the same time. I have to head out around midnight.”

“Really?” I turned to Liam. “What about you?”

He looked sad and wiped his face. “I’m out of here about 6 am as well.”

Grandmother tsked her tongue. “I’m just glad you all could be home together for some time. I do wish you could all be at the gala, but I’m sure glad you could all be together now.”

Warmth filled me, and I grinned at them. “Then we will take advantage of the hours we have and call this Christmas dinner. Merry Christmas.”

Everyone, including Grandmother, said, “Merry Christmas.”

Grandmother laughed. “You boys came at a good time. Charles, tell them who you ran into today.”

I cleared my throat and rolled my eyes.

Sebastian laughed. “This must be good. Look at the way he is blushing.”

“Just like this big sister we knew he was,” Donovan added with a smirk.

Liam studied me. “This is about… Wait. Could it be Melody?” He let out a loud laugh.

Grandmother laughed even harder. “They know you.”

I wanted to smack the smirks off all of their faces, except Grandmother of course. “It's nothing.”

Sebastian turned and acted like he would tickle beneath my chin. I flinched and pushed him back, almost breaking a chair. “Don't touch me.”

This set everyone into a ricochet of laughter. Even Grandmother.

Liam elbowed Donovan. “Itisabout Melody. What is happening? I only saw this look on your face when you tried to talk her out of getting married to that guy.”

Donovan pointed at me. “He's right. What's going on? Is she divorced? Back in town?”

Grandmother laughed even harder. When I turned my glare on her, she shrugged. “What do you want an old lady to do? This is my only comedy during the year. When you're all together.”

Sebastian cocked his eyebrow at me. “Bro, you better tell us, or we will have to gang up on you and throw you down and give you Navy taps. The way you used to do to us.”

Liam was on his feet and rushing around the table. “I don't care if he tells us or not. Let's do that anyway.”

I stood, putting my hands up in surrender. “Fine. Just give me a second. Fine.”

Donovan crossed his arms and said, “You better spill it within five seconds, or you will get those Navy taps.”

Giving them the rundown that Melody was back in town, and I had run into her at the store today led to a huge amount of teasing.

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