Page 85 of Carnival Mayhem

“Let me take those,” he says, gathering them from her arms.

I watch from the kitchen as they disappear into the bedroom with her purchases. When they return, Flora’s eyes fix on the tree in the corner.

“You two have been busy,” she says, moving closer to inspect it. Her fingers brush against one of the branches.

“We wanted to wait for you before decorating,” I tell her, pouring the hot chocolate into three mugs. “Thought you might want to help with that part.”

The way her face lights up makes my chest tight. It’s such a simple thing—a Christmas tree—but the joy in her expression tells me we made the right choice. I never knew creating holiday memories could mean so much until I saw that look on her face.

“I didn’t think you two were the Christmas tree type,” Flora says.

I set down the mugs of hot chocolate and move closer. “We aren’t. But this year is different.”

“We wanted to give you something special,” Colt adds, his hand finding the small of her back. “The Christmas you deserve.”

Her eyes well up with tears, and before I can react, she launches herself into my arms. I catch her, holding her tight against my chest as she trembles. Her tears soak into my shirt, but I don’t care. I stroke her hair, breathing in her scent, while Colt wraps his arms around us from behind her.

“You both...” she chokes out between sobs. “I never had... nobody ever...”

I press my lips to the top of her head, unable to find the right words to express how much she means to us and how desperately we want to give her everything she’s been denied.

I pull back slightly, keeping one arm around Flora while reaching for Colt’s hand with my other. Her tears have slowed, but the raw emotion in her voice makes my chest ache.

“I love you both so fucking much,” she whispers.

Colt’s hand tightens around mine. “You saved us, angel,” he says, his voice rough. “Before you, we were just going through the motions. Living half-lives.”

“You brought light into our darkness, little bird.” I press my lips to her temple. “You made us whole in ways we didn’t know we were broken.”

Flora turns her face up to look at us both, her eyes shining. “You’re my home,” she says. “My family. My everything.”

“And you’re our miracle,” Colt murmurs, brushing away a stray tear from her cheek.

I draw them closer, overwhelmed by my feelings for them. “You healed parts of us we thought were beyond repair, Flora. You gave us permission to love each other and you, to be who we truly are.”

I watch as Colt cups Flora’s face in his hands. “I love you, Flora,” he says, pressing his lips to hers in a tender kiss that makes my heart clench.

When he pulls back, his eyes find mine. Something shifts in his expression—vulnerability and determination. “And I love you, Nash,” he breathes before capturing my mouth with his. The kiss differs from our previous ones—less desperate, more meaningful. My chest tightens with emotions.

Flora watches us tearfully, and I’m struck by how much I feel for them both. The words I never thought I’d say rise, demanding to be spoken.

“Little bird,” I whisper, drawing her close. “I didn’t think I was capable of love. Didn’t think I deserved it. But you changed everything.” I kiss her softly, pouring all my feelings into the contact. “I love you.”

Turning to Colt, I see the same overwhelming emotion in his eyes. “And you—you’ve been my anchor for so long. I love you, Colt. Have for years.”

Flora’s eyes glint with understanding as she reaches for one of the scattered boxes, removing a shiny gold ornament. “I think it’s time we started decorating.” Her voice is steady, but I sense the undercurrent of emotion.

“Let’s get to it.” I move to take my mug of hot chocolate but stop, needing to feel connected to Colt right now, especially as the implications of what we’ve just confessed hang heavy between us.

I need to feel his skin and remind myself that we’re still here, still okay, together after revealing our deepest truths. I walk over to him, reaching out to touch his chest, and he immediately tangles his fingers in my hair, pulling me closer.

“I love you,” he whispers against my lips before kissing me deeply. My body reacts instantly, every nerve ending igniting as it always does when his mouth is on mine. This kiss is different,too—not fevered and desperate like before, but slow and deep, conveying everything we can’t say. My hands roam his chest and back as our tongues tangle, reveling in the taste and feel of each other.

Flora’s soft voice interrupts us. “Can I...?”

I pull back from Colt, reaching for her as she steps forward, pressing a soft kiss to Colt’s lips, then mine. My arms find their way around her, kissing her back, pouring all the love I feel for her into it.

Colt clears his throat, breaking the spell. “Why don’t you hang that up?” He suggests signaling to the ornament she’s still clutching.

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