Page 192 of Accidentally Under Your Tree

"I don't think you can stay quiet enough."

"I can."

"What about the basement?"

"That was one time."

My body arched at the progress of his touch.

"Lizzy," he breathed my name in my ear, then pressed a kiss to my neck. "We have time. We'll have other mornings like this"—he pulled me tighter against him, his arms solid bans around my ribs—"just let me hold you."

I sighed. The heat and tension in my body were still there, but his words helped calm me. With the intimacy I found just being with him, I snuggled even closer.

"This is more than enough," he whispered

"Will had the idea of giving you my favorite things." I handed Rose the heavy overstuffed basket. Initially, I'd felt trepidation about the suggestion. That was gone now. I wanted her to know me. They were justthings, but we'd shared so many before. The line between hers and mine were blurred when we were young. This gift was a little like that.

"So cute!" Mom beamed. She cuddled into my dad's side on the loveseat, his arm pulling her closer. Logs burned in the fireplace. It crackled and smelled like past Christmases trapped in the amber of my memory.

Mom, Rose, and I had fuzzy socks pulled up our calves. We'd discarded the blankets that had been on our laps. They lay in knitted puddles on the carpet. Dad kept eyeing the windows behind me and Will. He would open one any minute now.

But the fire would continue burning.

Just another Christmas tradition.

I sat crisscross applesauce next to Will, with the tree on my other side. He had one leg stretched out in front of him. His elbow propped on the knee of the other. Every once in a while, I'd glance in his direction, he'd look back with the most heartwarming affection.

I couldn't stop grinning.

We were one of those weird families that took turns opening presents.

All eyes were on Rose as she unfolded the chunky knit blanket off the top of the basket. I'd had to wash mine before giving it to her. There wasn’t time to order a new one. It made me happy to give her mine. Being overly sentimental seemed to be the theme of the day.

She held it to her face. "My God this is so soft."

"Isn't it lovely?"

"Hey," she exclaimed, setting the blanket aside and pulling two jars out, "I have these candles!"

"Do you really?!"

"Yes! They're my favorite too!"

We shared matching smiles, and Will rubbed a thumb up and down the back of my neck. My heart rate jumped, not just at his touch, but because it wasn't in secret. Once Will and I had made up yesterday, Rose posted about her and Will's breakup. She told their fans not to be sad, that they were both happier as friends. That their time trying out a romantic relationship had been the strangest few days of their lives. That it was a relief to be nothing more than pals again.

I hadn't ventured to the Internet since then.

Rose's mouth pulled to one side, looking down at the basket's contents. "This is the weirdest chess set."

Mom lifted her eyebrows, her lips pursed.

"It’s so funny," Rose continued.

I shot my mom an,I told you soface.

She rolled her eyes, but there was a pleased glint in them.

"Why are the elves so happy?" Holding the box, Rose showed the front image to everyone. "They're pawns. They're being used."

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