Page 37 of Secret Santas and Holiday Dances

Yours always,

Liam

P.S. I finally opened my Secret Santa gift. Words can’t express how much I love it. I can only hope to return the favor one day and show you, without words, what you mean to me.

A small sob escaped Grace’s lips. All the heartbreak she’d been feeling slowly vanished, and her mind cleared for the first time since Charlotte had first arrived. She knew what she had to do.

Chapter 18

Liam stood with his family at the door of his parent’s manor house, greeting guests as they entered, trying not to be too obvious as he watched everyone who came through the door. None of them was Grace. And all of them were over the moon they’d been invited.

Emma Lee’s party was always highly anticipated, but it was the Nichols Christmas Party that got people talking—including politicians and celebrities all over Virginia. To say his parents went all out would be putting it lightly. They always had the house decorated to the nines, including lights on the house and outside trees, and decorations inside—including candles, ornate Christmas bouquets, and lots of mistletoe. They brought in caterers from the finest restaurants, formal wear—gowns for women and tuxes, not suits, for men—were required, and no one got in without an RSVP unless your presence was a given.

For example, Emma Lee appeared at the door, this time in a deep green, silky dress, and walked right past the event planner, giving her a wave as she passed. George stood a little taller next to Liam as Emma headed to the receiving line to greet their parents. They hugged and fawned over her, then sent her down the line.

“Hey, boys,” Emma said, stopping in front of Liam and George.

“No date this year?” Liam asked. She’d never come stag before.

She pointed at George with her gold clutch. “George is my date.”

Liam arched a brow. “Is that right?”

George narrowed a glare at him. “It’s not like that.”

“What’s it like, then?” Liam asked.

George clenched a fist, and Liam took bets on how much more prodding it would take to get him to take a swing. Probably a lot more. George had the patience of a saint, except when it came to Emma. George let out a deep breath.

Emma grinned. “Ah, look how uncomfortable George is. Isn’t that cute?”

“I’m not uncomfortable,” George said.

“You look uncomfortable to me,” Liam said.

“Are you two finished?” George asked.

Liam and Emma looked at each other, then shrugged.

“We’ll see.” Liam grinned.

George shoved Liam with his shoulder. Okay, not a punch, but still.

“All right, all right,” Emma said. “You’re so easy to rile. I didn’t have time to find a date this year, and George didn’t either. I suggested we go together, that way we wouldn’t have to worry about it. George was kind enough to agree, but as you can see it’s a hardship for him.”

“A hardship?” Hardship Liam’s rear end. “Why’s that?”

“Well, it’s practically like going with your sister.” She winked at George. “Isn’t that right?”

Liam’s side creaked from holding his laughter in. “That would be a trial.Practicallylike being here with Helena.”

“I might have asked you, Liam, if I hadn’t assumed you’d be here with Grace,” Emma said, quirking a brow at him. “Any news on that front.”

Liam shook his head. The enjoyment he’d momentarily had from harassing his brother gone at the first mention of Grace. “No, but I’m still hopeful.”

Emma touched his arm lightly. “It’ll all work out for the best.”

His chest tightened.

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