Page 38 of The Christmas Romance Wish

Dylann would say no.

But I’m Emmie. Always awkward. Never flirty or cute or comely.

Are people described as comely anymore? I’d venture to say if swooning is a thing then women can be comely.

Alex’s tone lifts in questions as if he’d been talking to me. “So, you’re the baby of the family. I bet your brothers miss you, but you can still surprise them by Christmas. It might not be until Christmas night, but we’ll get you home.”

Lifting and lowering my shoulder, I say, “That’s just it. Coco Key isn’t home.”

“You’ll be back in New York before you know it.”

“It never quite felt like home either.”

“They say home is where the heart is.”

“They also say your heart is wherever you are.”

“Do they say that? And who aretheyanyway?” His lips quirk with a smile as if he’s playing along with my “Object to and second guess everything” game.

I snort a laugh. “All my life, I’ve longed for a place to call home.” Chilly, I tug my hat lower on my ears and hiccup, then consider pulling it over my face just to hide for a minute because Igrew up at a resort and am well aware I sound ungrateful, but I can’t explain it. I’ve never told anyone about losing my parents and what their absence did to me.

Alex accurately reads my silence at not wanting to talk about it and doesn’t press further.

“Here’s a truth, when you were in elementary school, I’d already finished boot camp and was getting deployed.”

“Are you saying I’m a baby?”

“You said it, not me.”

“My brothers think I’m a baby. A helpless little infant who needs to be wrapped in cushy clouds and constantly surrounded by sparkles and rainbows.”

“Is that so bad?”

“It’s annoying.”

“You live in New York. That’s a demonstration of independence and capability to survive on those mean city streets.”

“They’re not that bad. This street on the other hand—” I hiccup.

Alex chuckles. “I’d bet not one of them has survived an avalanche.”

“We haven’t survived yet.”

He casts me a confident and comforting smile. “We’re safe and we’ll have you home, er, back to Coco Key by Christmas. You’ll be the best Christmas present they’ve ever received.”

“It would be a birthday present for me.”

Alex does a double-take. “Your birthday is on Christmas Day?”

“Regrettably.” And I instantly regret saying that, but the Awkward Emmie filter is faltering, not operating properly.

“You share a birthday with Jesus. That’s epic,” Alex says.

My busy brain takes over, filled with worry. “Wait. Do you think we’ll be stuck here until Christmas?”

“No and no bah humbugging.”

I wear a slight smile and mutter. “Too late for that. The bah humbugs are having a holiday party.”

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