Page 68 of My Secret Santa Daddies

“She deserves better than this. Better than all of this,” I gesture around at the cluttered room, at the life I’ve built for myself here.

“I think that’s for her to decide, man. Not us.”

I look at my two best friends, and for a moment, just a moment, I let myself believe that there might be a chance. A chance for us, and our unconventional family to work.

I never really stopped loving her.Not when we broke up, not when I married Anna, not even after everything fell apart.

I suddenly know exactly what to get her for Secret Santa. And with that, I turn and head toward the front door, my mind already racing with plans. I’m not just going to show up with a half-hearted apology. No, I’m going toproveto Sierra that I’m still the man she once loved, and maybe—just maybe—someone she could love again.

It’s a risk. Hell, it might even be a mistake. But as I step outside and breathe in the crisp winter air, one thing is clear; it was a risk worth taking.

18

SIERRA

“Honey, we were so worried about you,” my mother’s cuts over the phone.

“That storm broke so many records!” Dad shouts beside her.

I’m sitting at the kitchen table, carefully spreading fondue over a new cake recipe I had come up with. I readjust my cell to the other cheek, keeping it pressed in position tightly, as I spread the rich chocolate frosting over the moist layers of cake.

“I know, I know. I’m fine, though. The power’s back on and everything.”

“Thank goodness. We were about to charter a helicopter.”

“Mom, it's fine." I roll my eyes. "Honestly, it was kind of a nice change of pace— no internet, no cell service, just me hanging out."

"That's all well and good," Dad interjects. "But we still worry about you up there on your own."

"I'm fine," I repeat for the millionth time.

“Did you lose power?”

“Yeah.”

“What’d you do? Did you get the generator running?”

“I uh—Griffin, Cody and Wyatt are in town. I stayed with them.”

"What?" Mom shrieks, practically knocking the phone out of my ear. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“The storm knocked out all the cell service. Besides, it's not that big of a deal.”

“Well, how are they? Why are they back?” Mom asks.

“Good, I guess. Griffin bought the old lodge to fix up for a vacation home." I finish frosting the cake and step back to admire my creation. "They're all good."

"Honey, that's wonderful! Are you two talking?—"

"Mom," I cut her off. "We're not." I can practically hear her disappointment through the other end of the line. "We’re just friends, that's all."

She sighs. “I know, I know. Still, it's always nice to hope."

"Mom," I groan. "It was just a snowstorm."

"Alright, alright," she relents. "As long as you're safe and sound.”

A sudden knock at the door makes me jump. I hurry to the front, and peek through the small window. My stomach does a flip when I see Wyatt and Cody standing there.

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