Page 47 of Don't Leave Me

Maverick makes his way around the table. He shakes hands with all of the men and gives each woman a kiss on the cheek. When he gets to Sophia, he pauses for a moment.

“I don’t believe I’ve met you, but you can get a kiss on the cheek too.” He winks at her and I swear she has hearts popping out of her eyes.

“Are you going to make me beat up Maverick on Christmas, beautiful?” I murmur so only my girl can hear me. Sophia’s eyes snap to mine and she freezes.

“I'm sorry. I wasn’t expecting… that to walk through the door.” She motions to Maverick. “But he’s hot. Not nearly as hot as you though.”

“Oh, I'm sure.” I roll my eyes, not believing a word coming out of her mouth.

“Hey,” she whispers, waiting for me to glance in her direction before she continues. “You’re my boyfriend and I love you. Itdoesn’t matter if a hundred hot guys walked into this room and kissed me on the cheek. You’re the only hot guy I want to kiss or touch me.”

Without an ounce of hesitation, she leans in and kisses me right in front of everyone. It isn't a quick peck on the lips, it’s a slow and intimate kiss. One that makes the entire room go silent.

We pull back and her gaze stays on me. She’s making sure everyone knows where she stands when it comes to me and I appreciate that.

“I know you said I had to wait until after Christmas, but…” Zoey lets her words trail off. She’s stopped going by Leslie since Jimmy was caught and Sophia’s so happy about that.

“I love Pecker,” Sophia says loud enough for everyone to hear her. “I'm staying in Maple Springs for another month and we’re going to visit the Mulberry Lane family soon.”

“Dang, this must be serious,” Colt mutters under his breath.

“It definitely is,” I add with a grin.

“Hell, every time I find a pretty girl in this town, she gets snatched up just as quickly.” Maverick laughs.

“You’re too old for me,” Sophia says at the same time as Colt says, “You’re way too old for her!”

Everyone laughs and I pull my girl a little closer, placing a kiss on her head. This is the best Christmas I’ve ever had.

“Merry Christmas!” Sophia’s parents smile at us through the video call.

“Merry Christmas! It’s so weird to not be home with all of you!” Sophia reaches her hand up and threads her fingersthrough mine. I have my arm draped over her shoulder and she’s snug against my side.

“Mom won't let us decorate gingerbread houses until you come home,” Cody pouts from one side of the camera.

“Yeah, she says it’s not the same without the least favorite child.” Jax rolls his eyes.

“Somehow, I don’t think that’s what came out of my mouth,” Addi chuckles at her son.

“Where’s Charlie and Wyatt?” Sophia asks after she gets a rundown of what everyone got for Christmas. She’s been told at least three times her gifts are all waiting for her to come home and open them.

“She’s exhausted.” Wes scoops Addi up and deposits her on his lap. “I can't imagine how tired she’d be if it was baseball season. I think she’s counting down the days until the baby will be born.”

“I can't wait! I'm finally going to be an aunt!” Sophia grins at her family.

“You’re going to be the best aunt ever.” I press a soft kiss to Sophia’s temple.

“She’ll be the greatest mom when the time comes.” Addi smiles at us. She looks happy to see us together and in love.

Chapter 21

Sophia

“I know you said no Christmas presents, but I kind of bought you something before you told me that. And then I chickened out on giving it to you on Christmas.” Pecker grips the back of his neck, looking a little nervous.

We’re lying on Colt’s couch and have been talking about our plans to visit Mulberry Lane for the past hour. I can't wait to have everyone meet him.

Colt surprised Zoey and took her home to Philadelphia a few days ago. Though I really wanted to come, I agreed to stay home and watch Snow. I think it’s better if the entire Robinson/Moore family gets to visit with Zoey and Colt without me being there with Pecker. Plus, I think Jared would kill us if they both left town at the same time. He’d have to be on call twenty-four hours a day and that wouldn’t be fair to him.

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