Page 19 of My Secret Santa Daddies

“I’m sorry about that.” She rakes a hand through her hair, sending those golden strands into more disarray than before, and I have to force myself not to reach out and tuck them behind her ear.

When she speaks, her voice is barely above a whisper. “Why did Dr. Harper call you?”

“She just wanted to make sure you were coming to the Secret Santa thing tonight at the Winter Festival,” I mumble, rubbing the back of my neck, feeling like an absolute schmuck. “I didn’t mind... you know... I'm kinda sorta in the area.”

She glances at me sideways as if she doesn't quite believe me.

“She called you?”

“Yeah.”

“Jesus Christ.” Sierra shakes her head walking past me.

“Well, are you going to come?”

She pauses at the bottom of the stairs and turns back to face me. There’s a sadness in her eyes that wasn’t there before, and it cuts me straight to the core.

“I don't know, Cody. I haven't thought about it.”

“Come on, Sierra. It’ll be good for you to get out of the house. Get some fresh air. And...” I hesitate, unsure if I should voice the next words out loud. “And... maybe it'll be nice to see some friendly faces for a change.”

Her back is to me as she rummages through the fridge, so I can’t see her face. “I have my reasons for not wanting to attend this damn thing, you know.” She says in irritation.

“I know.” I said softly, walking to where she now stood.

“Then why do you want me to go so bad?” She turns to face me, her eyes searching mine.

“Because... I care about you, Sierra. I don’t want you to be alone at a time like this. I mean. It’s Christmas.”

The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them, and I cringe inwardly. God, I'm such an idiot.

But instead of the expected anger or rejection, Sierra’s face softens. “You always were too damn nice for your own good, Cody Bellamy”

She swallows hard, shutting the fridge door with a bit more force than necessary before turning to face me head on.

“I still can’t believe Susan calledyou, of all people.”

“The hell that’s supposed to mean?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t think you two were that close.”

“Sure. We were. It’s only been four years, Sierra.”

“Only four,” she mutters under her breath.

The weight of those four years hangs like an elephant in the room, the smell of ghosts and unspoken words heavy in the air.

Neither one of us says anything for a long while then she sighs, glancing down at her sweats. “I should probably start getting ready, huh?”

“So, you’re going to come?”

“I guess. But you better make sure no one crappy draws my name at the Secret Santa or else I’m out the door.”

I grin, relief washing over me. “Deal. And for the record, I don’t barge into people’s bedrooms on the regular.”

“Noted. When does this thing start?”

I glance down at my watch.

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