Page 64 of Bitter Beats

As such, my favorite time of the year is spent trying to show Mckenna the path to Christmas revelry. It’s a challenge, but I’m up to the task.

I love greeting the Christmas holidays with the same energy and awe as I did as a boy. Back when Warren Willoughby wrangled a reindeer and burned the roof of his mouth on a gooey marshmallow in his hot chocolate.

“I still don’t think we need to buy a tree when we’re not going to be here for Christmas,” Mckenna announces—for the third time—as I haul the massive tree—a Frasier Fir, Jess insisted on a classic—into the living room.

I get the trunk situated in the stand and grin at Mckenna. Her holiday judgments are hands-down my favorite. “Stop being a little grinch,” I tease.

Her mouth drops open, and she crosses her arms over her chest. Her light blue merino wool sweater pulls taut over the soft swells of her breasts. “I’m not.” She’s indignant. Adorable.

Also, who the hell thought wool could be sexy?

The color of her sweater reminds me of her eyes, and I’m momentarily distracted. “You’ve grumbled about every holiday festivity.”

“I have not! You just do more than the average person. Most people don’t have seven billion traditions to uphold.”

“Exaggeration!” I point at her accusingly.

A small smile plays over the corners of her lips. “I didn’t think Jess and Kimberly would make us jump through all these hoops when we’re spending the week before Christmas in New York. And Christmas in New York City is a million times better than discussing tree ornaments and slapping a wreath on the front door.”

“Jess and Kimberly are pit bulls.” I remove the netting from the tree and start to open the branches.

“Tenacious?” Mckenna steps closer to help.

I give her a look. “Loyal. To the holiday. To us. They want us to succeed. And right now, our ratings are stellar. Hell, we could probably have a reality TV show.Mav and Mckenna: ReluctantRoommates Turned More.” I hold one palm out and swipe it horizontally, envisioning our brand logo.

Mckenna smirks. “And end up breaking each other’s hearts by season two.”

“Ooh, I love that you know our show would be renewed.”

She laughs and reaches for another branch. “Of course, it would.” Her eyes glimmer when they find mine, but she adds nothing else.

We work in silence until the tree is adequately fluffed and ready for decorating. Stepping back to admire our work, I toss an arm over her shoulder. Throw out one of my better ideas. “Want to go rogue?”

She tips her head back to stare at me. Her eyes narrow. “What do you mean?”

“We can do colorful lights and random ornaments,” I suggest.

She gasps. “Jess dropped off the warm white lights and?—”

“I don’t want a nautical-themed tree,” I interrupt. “You think she’d at least give us a rockstar vibe…”

Mckenna snorts. “Me neither. Was Jess a sailor in her youth?”

I chuckle. “She thought the aesthetic would trend well for our socials.”

Mckenna rolls her eyes. She stares at me for a beat before a smile curls her lips. “Let’s run amok.”

“Yes!” I twist my fingers in her hair and give a little tug. If I can’t convert her into a reveler, I’ll show her how fun Christmas, Mav-style, can be. “After hot chocolate?”

“You really are a little kid at Christmastime,” she remarks, a thread of surprise in her tone.

I grin at the compliment. “It’s the best way to be, Mckenna. You should try it.”

She rears back slightly, taken aback by my words. She doesn’t blink as she studies my expression, her smile falling. Her eyes grow serious. “Okay,” she agrees slowly.

I squint at her to gauge her commitment to what I’m asking. “Yeah?”

She nods. “Yeah.”

---