Page 26 of Merry with a Single Dad

Laughter resounded around the table as Chris bent toward me to give me a kiss.

“I love you,” we whispered together.

Chris clinked his wine glass to Hudson’s milk before sitting down. I followed and met Hudson’s glass, too, and then we met everyone else’s glasses before passing the dishes, plates, and platters around the table.

Completely relaxed and surging with a sense of pride and gratitude, I got a glimpse of how the holidays would be with Chris by my side.

As long as we were together, I’d be happy. My heart overflowed with the love I was surrounded with. I was a part of something bigger and greater than I ever could have imagined. Being surrounded by family and friends was one of the greatest gifts. To find love . . . to have found Chris and Hudson . . . my eyes welled with tears, and I couldn’t stop them from overflowing.

“Baby, what’s the matter?” Chris asked, scooting closer to me.

I waved him off with a laugh. “Nothing. Nothing. I’m just so happy,” I said, smiling through another streak of happy tears. “So happy.”

As he settled back into his chair, I thought that life couldn’t get any better than it was right now.

And that scared the crap out of me.

Because, if anyone knew how quickly things could get ruined when you were this sublimely happy, it was me.

Chapter Ten

Chris

“Hey, Cassie, it’s Chris. Give me a call back when you have a chance. I need your help with Emily. Nothing bad,” I said, hoping I didn’t freak her out. “I—anyway, call me. Thanks.”

Twenty minutes later, Cassie called back.

After reassuring her that Emily was fine, I dove in.

“Are you busy Friday night?”

“Yeah, got a super-hot date,” she said.

“Oh yeah? With who?”

“Pete.”

“Let me guess. His last name is Zah.” Emily and Cassie loved pizza—it was one of their weekly staple dinners before I came along.

“I didn’t know you knew him,” she said, barely able to contain her snort of laughter.

“Can you reschedule with Pete-Zah? I need you to take Emily out. She needs a night to unwind after . . . she’s been stressed. She needs you.”

“Is she really okay?” Cassie’s concern was palpable even over the phone.

“Yes, she’s fine. You know her. She’s been swamped with work. And me and Hudson. Then she got sick. She was alifesaver when Hudson got sick. But then it was like she went into overdrive because of the holiday and dinner and?—”

“Making sure everything was perfect.”

I sighed. “Yeah. And I feel bad. I mean, it was the best Thanksgiving I’ve had in years. But she—I just don’t want her to wear herself out. And you know her.”

“She won’t take a night for herself because it’s selfish.”

“Exactly,” I said. “When I mentioned her needing a day to unwind without me and Hudson, she about bit my head off. Then she cried. I’m at a loss right now. You’re her best friend. I know I’m partly to blame for you two not hanging out as much lately. But she needs this.”

“I’m impressed,” Cassie said.

“Why?”

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