Page 36 of My Heart To Heal

‘Thank you, Nick,’ Jonah says sweetly while examiningthe gift in his hands, and I glance up at Nick to see the uncertainty. He thinks he got this one wrong.

‘Honey, do you know what that is?’

Jonah shakes his head, and I smile. ‘It’s called a walkie-talkie. It means you can talk to Bo. Doug, do you have batteries?’

‘They’re rechargeable.’ Nick says. ‘I charged them up and got a second charger so they both have one.’

This man will end me.

‘Okay,’ I smile down at the kids. ‘Bo, you go upstairs.’

Bowie takes off like a rocket, Doug hot on her heels, and I hold out my hand for Jonah, taking him out to the front yard and showing him how to use the walkie-talkie.

‘Hellooooo, Jonahhhh.’

I laugh as Bowie’s voice booms out of the handset in Jonah’s hand, and his eyes widen. I show him the button to press and tell him to talk.

‘Bo, can you hear me?’

‘Yeah, silly. Course I can.’

He giggles excitedly and keeps talking, and I look up to see Nick watching from the porch, a soft smile on his face before he heads back inside.

‘Oh my god, Cara,’Zoe moans as she finishes the last forkful of the chocolate and Bailey’s cheesecake Cara made. ‘If you weren’t already in a relationship, I’d propose right now.’

‘Really?’ Leo says, one eyebrow raised, and she turns to look back at him, grinning.

‘Baby, you ate the cheesecake too. You get it.’

Leo laughs, and she leans in to kiss him. I can’t help my attention flicking to Doug whenever they do that, wondering if his reaction to them being together has improved, but he’s too busy proudly gazing at Cara.

‘Yeah, Cara, this was great, thank you,’ Nick says, and I flick my gaze up to find him leaning back slightly in his chair. ‘The whole dinner was amazing, but that dessert was one of the best things I’ve ever tasted.’ Bree snickers next to me, then picks up her wine, and I turn slightly to gift her an epic side-eye. I was thinking it, too, hoping really, that I tasted better than the cheesecake. ‘Thank y’all for inviting me today, it means a lot.’

I inhale deeply as I watch the shy expression on his face turn into full joy as the conversation around the table flows as well as the wine, and the kids disappear to separate corners of the house to talk to each other on their new favorite gifts.

I realize for the first time today that Nick has family in town. I’ve met his dad a few times and he seems a nice enough guy, but there’s a reason Nick joinedusfor his Christmas day instead ofthem. That has me curious.

‘I need to get going,’ Nick says, standing, and everyone turns. Doug stands to shake his hand first. ‘I have to get to work.’

‘Thank you for coming, man.’

‘Good to see you, brother,’ Leo offers before the rest of the table says their goodbyes, and suddenly, I’m the last one left.

‘See you later, neighbor.’ He smirks, and I nod.

‘Bye, Nick.’

Your PlaceOr Mine?

Missy

‘Daddy, can Jonah sleepover?’ Bowie asks Doug as they cross paths in the doorway to the living room. Leo and Zoe are sitting at the dining table playing cards with Lynnie and Merv. Buck and Lucy left a little while ago, and Doug and Cara are milling around playing hosts.

‘Sure, if it’s okay with his mom.’

Bowie and Jonah turn to me expectantly, and I tilt my head.

‘Oh, honey, no. It’s Christmas.’

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