Page 13 of Priority

“Wilcox warriors,” I warmly interject before the debate can continue, “Maz just made freshmalassadasyoumightwanna grab before Gramps finds out.”

There’s no hesitation from them to scramble onto their feet and out of the room past me, prompting our jingle bell wearing dogs to hastily follow. However, before rounding the corner for the stairs, my son stops, shoots me a small smirk, and flashes me a tiny hang loose sign in gratitude.

Of course they were my idea for her to make today.

Why?

Becausemalassadasaren’t just a well-known Hawaiian dessert.

They’re the first treat he shared on the beach with Kendall.

And now?

Now, they’re my way of wordlessly letting him know that I’m working on his Christmas wish.

I just need a little more time.

Once the kids are completely out of earshot, I cross the hall to where my husband has been held up since breakfast, actively avoiding me.

His son.

General holiday festiveness.

The door is barely opened when I hear him grumbling, “What the hell do you mean the numbers for The Morgan Brand arelowerthan expected?!” He folds his hands frustratedly together on top of his desk, clearly speaking into his earpiece. “How. Low?!”

Ah, The Morgan Brand.

His first step into beer yet the most difficult one to steady.

Runt’s Beer – the one bought after it – effortlessly soared.

It’s now soldworldwidewhile The Morgan Brand typically struggles to perform domestically according to sales figures as much as the data on Puppet Boy’s bestselling app which also incorporates beer along with wine.

Continuing to expand that with new features is what heprefersto keep his focus on like Wes does legacy merch, but both are committed to the company’s persistentgrowth. That’s why they bought an import beer company in Doctenn, work closely to always bethenumber one whiskey included in commercial hotels – like The Frost Luxury Hotel – and are becoming equally devoted to acquiring and building businesses on theoppositeend of the booze spectrum such as non-alcoholic beer, mocktails, and affordable rehab facilities for those that need help yet struggle with the cost.

Weslovedgetting his Bat-themed, ten-year chip that the kids helped design.

We then celebrated with a second honeymoon that was spent almost identically to the first.

When you get it right the first time, there’s no need to change anything on the second.

“Howis that possible?!” barks the man I married seconds before I shut the door behind me with the hand holding our shared word search. “Howare they underperforming this deep into the holidays?!”

I take my time relocating to where he is, knowing my presence won’t necessarily speed up the conversation.

Some things really haven’t changed since the beginning.

And I doubt they ever will.

Upon my arrival beside his desk, I gently place our booklet down, flip it open to the page we’re on, and offer him the pen to take a turn.

“Are the campaigns being poorly received?” investigates Wes in tandem with clicking the object. “Did the marketing department miss their targeted demographic?”

Leaning against the edge of his desk is executed in such a way that the end of my long sleeve, slit round neck, dark green sweater dress inches up enough to give him a glimpse of the fact that I’m freshly waxedandnot wearing any panties.

As predicted, the love of my life uses the tip of the pen to lift the material higher, exposing a viewknownfor prematurely ending business calls. “I understand.” He encourages me to spread my thighs wider with gentle nudges from the writing utensil. “We’ll have to finish this discussion at another time, Schwartz.” I slide into the sitting position that he clearly wants. “There’s another pressing matter I need to tend to.” One click ends the conversation however my abrupt dangling of a plastic object successfully redirects his hungry stare to mine. “Is that mistletoe, Mrs. Wilcox?”

An overdramatic gasp precedes a mischievous grin. “I think so, Mr. Wilcox.” The bite of my glossed, bottom lip is brief. “Perhaps you should double check?”

---