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Mom waves her hand through the air, a goofy grin on her face. “Ah, that’s so romantic. I love it.”

“Actually, Mom. There was another reason he came down. He asked me to move in with him, and of course, I said yes. So I quit my job, and I’m moving up North.” I grin.

My mom’s hand flies to her chest, her mouth agape before she quickly closes it. “Oh, um…that’s…great.”

I sigh. “I know it’s fast. I told you and Dad that I’d be here for a few more months still, but…”

She blows out a breath. “No. I’m so happy for you. I’m going to miss you like crazy, but I’m truly…happy.” Her voice cracks, and unshed tears fill her eyes.

“Oh, Mom.” I hop up from the swing and take a seat by her. Circling my arm around her back, I give her a side hug. “I’ll be back lots to visit.”

“I know.” She sniffs and wipes at the corner of her eye. “For Christmas. You have to come back for Christmas this year.”

“Deal,” I agree. I look toward Boss. “My parents love Christmas, and they go all out every year. I’m talking Christmas cookie competitions, gingerbread houses, lots of gifts, and so many decorations it looks like a Christmas store threw up in here.”

“Hey, I don’t like that tone,” Mom teases. “And you know what tomorrow is?”

“Ah, yes.” I laugh. “November first, the day you start listening to Christmas music and getting the decorations out.”

“Exactly.” She nods. “So when do your parents put out the Christmas decorations?”

“Well, it’s just my mom, and usually sometime after Thanksgiving, early December-ish,” he answers.

“Like normal people,” I kid.

“Oh, that’s nice,” Mom replies. “I just always liked putting them up earlier. I feel the holiday season goes by so fast with so many parties and festivities. I like to enjoy the decorations for a bit. I mean, it’s a lot of work putting them up. I want to enjoy them for a decent amount of time.”

“You definitely give yourself a decent amount of time.” I chuckle.

She pats my leg. “You had no complaints growing up.”

“I always had complaints growing up,” I deadpan.

“That’s true.” Mom nods. “This one is quite spoiled if you hadn’t noticed.”

“Hey,” I protest.

“I’m just saying, he needs to know what he’s getting into with you. You can be a lot to handle,” Mom says in an innocent voice, which is anything but, and leans her head on my shoulder.

Dropping my hand from her waist, I abruptly scoot over with a huff.

Boss laughs at our exchange. “I can assure you, Mrs. Laine. I’ll be able to handle her just fine.” The tone of his voice is jovial, but the meaning has my heart racing.

God, this has gotten inappropriate really fast.

“So how long are you here?” Mom asks Boss.

I answer for him. “Well, probably a day. We’re going to pack up my car and drive back.”

“Oh, stay for a couple of days. You can help us decorate for Christmas.” My mother’s voice raises an octave.

“That will work.” Boss grins. “I took a week off.”

“Yay. Oh, wonderful. We can all go out for Lexi’s birthday dinner tonight, and then tomorrow, we’ll decorate for Christmas,” Mom exclaims.

“Sounds great.” Boss smiles back.

“Well, I’m going to go text my husband to tell him the news. Make sure he doesn’t stay at work too late. You know?” she says before disappearing into the house.

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