Page 58 of Take Me Home for Christmas

Her mom was correct. It was Hayden’s turn tonight. Not that Elle was going to confirm anything. Mostly because she felt uncomfortable about Livi’s interest in the guy Elle was sleeping with. Hayden had repeatedly assured Elle that nothing was going on between him and the designer, and she believed him. He insisted he would set Livi straight as soon as the other woman felt better, and he could do it in person. That wasn’t going to happen tonight, though. Which meant Elle would remain mum.

She wasn’t looking forward to spending the night alone in her big bed upstairs, especially when she’d been sleeping so much better with Hayden by her side. Waking up feeling refreshed and human again was something she could get used to.

Next to her, Kate began to unwrap the chocolate kiss candies that would be pressed into the warm peanut butter balls once they came out of the oven.

“Sucks for you. Who is gonna keep you warm tonight?”

Kate’s softly uttered words had Elle dropping one of the peanut butter balls onto the floor. When she bent down to retrieve it, her sister followed.

“Wow. Direct hit. Gabby mentioned she saw Hayden sneaking in the other night when she came to check on Livi,” Kate whispered. “Not that she was surprised after his odd behavior the day of the Turkey Trot.”

Elle could feel her face flaming. “Isn’t that some sort of HIPAA violation or something?” she hissed.

“Nah. This is just run-of-the-mill hospital gossip.”

“People at the hospital are gossiping about me?” Elle croaked.

“Just me and Gabby.” Kate winked at her. “For now.”

“You’re the head of the hospital. Act like it, for crying out loud.”

Elle reached for the ball of dough, but her sister already had it between her fingers.

“Interesting. I figured you’d claim his nocturnal visits were innocent. That you two arejust friendswho were playing backgammon or something.”

Dammit. Why didn’t I think of that?

Her sister sighed and seemed to lose some of her snarky bluster. “It’s none of my business?—”

“You’re right. It isn’t.”

They stared at each other in stony silence for a few beats, until Elle’s leg grew numb from maintaining her crouch.

“My offer still stands,” Kate said eventually. “I’m here if you need to talk.”

Elle felt like the biggest brat. As overwhelming as her siblings’ achievements were, they never lost sight that they were family. They always had each other’s backs. It was something Elle never wanted to take for granted. But how could she explain things to her sister when she didn’t understand them herself?

Jane peeked around the corner of the kitchen island. “Hey, you two. What’s going on down there?”

Elle wobbled slightly when she stood back up. “Just a runaway cookie.”

“Like the gingerbread man,” Emily exclaimed.

“Mm. And look what happened to him,” Kate mumbled just low enough that only Elle could hear. “He didn’t just get his heart broken. He got eaten alive.”

The others began chatting about their favorite Christmas stories. Elle went back to scooping the dough into balls. There was no risk to either of their hearts breaking. She and Hayden would figure things out. At least she hoped so because the alternative made her uneasy. If they couldn’t figure things out, she would lose him forever. And that would break her heart.

“I love you,” Kate whispered.

Elle suddenly had difficulty swallowing. “Right back at you,” she managed to push out.

When she looked up, their mother was studying them intently, her head canted slightly to the side. Elle may come out of this holiday season minus a best friend, but the people in this room would always be there for her. It would hurt. Immensely. She was a McAlister, though. And that had to count for something.

ChapterFifteen

The following afternoon,Hayden was gliding the sander over the table Gavin and Ginger commissioned him to build when Elle’s soft voice interrupted him.

“My God, Hayden. It’s a work of art.” Her tone was almost reverent.

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