Page 124 of The Very Naughty List

“Actually…” Lorelai’s voice perks up a little, and I can imagine her grinning. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the number of supportive comments I’ve seen lately. I think that’s sort of taking the wind out of the sails of the haters. And do you remember that reporter who you said tried to talk to you?”

I groan, wondering what kind of article he might have published, even though he seemed a lot better than some of the other people who have tried to pick apart my personal life since Dylan blasted all of this into the public eye.

“Well, he published a big piece in theFrontline Journaltalking about how more and more people these days are choosing to explore supposedly ‘non-traditional’ romantic situations, and how it’s redefining the way people think about relationships.”

“Really?” I blink.

“Yup. He agreed with what the Cooper brothers said, that shaming people for consensual sex is outdated and stupid. It was a really well-written article, honestly. I’ll send you the link.”

“Thanks.” I grin, resting my head on the back of the couch as I idly pet Bruno. Then I let out a quiet sigh. “I’m still worried about the fallout in Chestnut Hill,” I admit. “It’s different in person andinsidea small town. It’s more personal here, and there are people who would love to make my life hell.”

“Like your ex?”

“Yeah, he’s definitely at the top of the list. And the Divas.”

But even as I speak, I don’t feel the same worry churning in my gut that I used to. I feel more settled and certain about all of this—partially thanks to the guys and their unwavering support, and partially thanks to my talks with Lorelai. I’ve changed a lot in the weeks since I arrived back in Chestnut Hill. I’m neither as timid nor as guarded as I once was.

“So what are you going to do?”

Lorelai asks the big question, and I take a moment to gather my thoughts before answering her.

“I’m not going to let anything hold me back anymore,” I say simply. There’s a confidence in my voice that isn’t faked this time. “I’ve decided to stop letting anyone else influence my decisions. I’ve spent too long letting people’s opinions get to me.Hell, I fled this town the last time because I was part of a scandal that wasn’t even my fault. But I don’t want to run away this time. I’m all done feeling lost and holding my heart behind a wall of armor. I want to reclaim who I want to be and who I want to be with. I’ve finally found something really good here, and I don’t want to lose it.”

“Yesss! That’s my girl!” Lorelai’s voice is full of happiness, and it makes me smile.

She’s been there for me for a long time now, keeping me sane ever since I moved out to LA and always ready to show up with a bottle of wine and a pint of ice cream… or a shovel to bury a body. I owe her a lot.

We talk for a bit longer, and Lorelai catches me up on everything that’s been going on in LA. I love my bestie, and love hearing about her life—but as I listen to her, it strikes me suddenly that I have no desire to return to California at all. It’s funny how easily I’ve settled back into Montana life. The winter here at the holiday time feels magical, and even though I was apprehensive about returning to Chestnut Hill and facing the small-town drama that I left behind… now I find myself not wanting to leave.

Obviously, the triplets have a whole lot to do with that, but I’ve also come to recognize that there are parts of my hometown that I truly do love—and I refuse to let Dylan or Brielle or the Divas ruin that for me anymore.

After Lorelai and I catch each other up on all the minutia of our lives, we finally say goodbye, and I set the phone down, nestling deeper into the comfy cushions of the couch.

I’m scratching the spot behind Bruno’s ear that I’ve discovered he likes best when Nick walks into the room. He freezes in the doorway, his gaze locked on me for a long moment as he stands there in silence.

“What?” I ask, scrunching up my nose. “What is it?”

Nick clears his throat, as if he didn’t even realize he was staring. He smiles sheepishly, looking boyish despite his thick, dark beard. “Nothing. I’m just still getting used to the idea that you’re actually mine. That you’reours.”

I like that. I like it so much that I get up and walk right over to him. I love how I can knock this big, gruff mountain of a man on his ass and make him vulnerable despite himself. I love seeing those rare smiles of his become less and less rare, and I love being able to get up every day and kiss him, just because I can.

When I reach him, I wrap my arms around his neck, leaning into his solid frame as I press my lips to his.

“I like the sound of that,” I say against his mouth as his beard tickles my cheek. “As long as you’re mine too.”

He makes a low, hungry noise, wrapping both thick arms tightly around me and holding me close. He kisses the life out of me, lifting my feet off the ground before setting me back down.

“You know,” he murmurs thoughtfully, “I’ve never really been one to be super nostalgic about the holiday season, but I can’t help feeling like you’re the very best thing that the magic of Christmas has ever brought me.”

I plant several kisses all along the side of his cheek and down his scruffy jaw.

“Wait, wait,” I tease him. “You’re telling me that Nick Cooper has a soft spot for Christmas? Baking holiday cookies, riding on parade floats—pretty soon, you’ll be putting up Christmas decorations all over, and your brothers won’t be able to tease you about being a grumpy scrooge anymore.”

Nick raises an eyebrow at me, his dark blue eyes glinting with amusement. “Who do you think helped Reid hang up that mistletoe?”

My thighs clench at the memory of that moment after we got back from the hospital. It will forever remain one of the best moments of my life—not just because of how good it felt to beeaten out and shared by all three of them, but because it was the moment we finally all admitted that we wanted this thing between us to last.

I never stopped to think about who had placed the mistletoe there, although I have to admit I’m slightly surprised that Nick was in on it with Reid.

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