Page 82 of Merry Kissmas

“Be my partner.It’s insane, I know.I’m fully aware that embarking on this with you… you can say no.If you don’t want to or think that would be too much, too soon for us, I get it.”

He laughs and dips his head to my neck.“Have I ever told you I love it when you’re nervous and ramble?”

My cheeks heat.“No.”

“Well, I do.And have I ever told you that I’m pretty sure both of us are crazy, but I also know I’ve never felt this way about anyone.I know in my gut you are the one for me.”

“And if not?”I ask.

“Good thing we’re pretty good at the adulting thing.I think we’ll be okay.”

I cross my fingers just to be safe.

He presses his lips to my neck and trails kisses up to my ear.“I’d love to be your partner, Brynn Russell,” he whispers.

I squeal and wind my arms around his neck.“Really?”

He shifts back to look at me.“Really.”

“Oh… thank you.”

“Thanks for asking.”He kisses me again.“Now let’s open the champagne.”

We decided to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the Eastern time zone with Andrew and Kenzie via video call, so Pierce is about to pop the bottle of champagne when the doorbell rings.I open the door to let my parents in.They walk in and kiss my cheek, saying hello and Happy New Year.

I close the door behind them.

Pierce greets them and pulls down two more glasses.

Another knock lands on the door, and I open it to find Tre and Tessa and Ryah.

Pierce pulls down two more glasses and fills one of Ryah’s sippy cups she left here full of apple juice.

I move away from the door to join all our guests when Pierce’s phone rings.It’s Kenzie, Andrew, and Nolan on a video call.

The doorbell rings again, and I open the door to find Carter… alone.

“What are you doing—” I smile and pull him in for a hug, shocked that he’s not in New York.

“Pierce invited me, and I had miles to turn in.”

Pierce opens up another bottle of champagne and pours everyone a glass.Then he comes over to hand one to me.

I give him a questioning look.“What did you do?”

Everyone else sits in my small living area with their glasses of champagne, waiting for the ball to drop on the television.

“They say to spend New Year’s Eve with the people you want to spend the year with.And I want to spend it with everyone in this room.”Pierce nods toward everyone in the room.“Especially the woman standing to my right.”

I grin at him.“She’s not going anywhere.”

“I hope not.Happy New Year, Brynn.One of many to come.”

“One of many.”I clink my glass to him, but we don’t drink.

We walk toward the back of the couch as my family counts down, then we all yell “Happy New Year!”clink our glasses again, and take a sip.

My gaze shoots to Pierce talking with my brothers, then my mom and dad playing with Ryah.Tessa’s talking to Andrew and Kenzie on the phone.

Family is everything, and I can’t wait for Pierce to join mineofficiallysomeday.

---