Page 25 of The Merriest Christmas

"Not bad at all."

Rose stared at him.

"I'll have to remember to thank my sister," Finn said.

"Um right," she said."We should go find Emmy and the others.Don't you think?"

"Thought you had to go."

"Oh yeah, that's what I meant.I should say goodbye first."

"I'll come with you.Uh, Rose?"

"Yeah?"

"We're still okay, right?" he asked.

Rose searched his face then gave a soft smile."You're my best friend, Finn.Of course, we're okay."

As the two left the room, I swallowed, wondering how I could feel both unbelievably happy for someone else yet so deeply sad inside and even a little jealous at the same time.Seaver tried to say something, and I realized my hand was still covering his mouth.

"Sorry," I said."What'd you say?"

"I said your little brother's got game," Seaver said.

"Yeah well, he grew up around the other guys and you.So."

"You did a good thing for them."

Glancing at his face, I gave a small shrug.

"It was nothing," I said.

"Bet Finn would disagree."

"Hmmm."

"Rose too."

"Why are you being so nice?" I asked flatly."It's starting to make me nervous."

"I make you nervous," Seaver said, moving closer, so close that I could feel his warmth."I like that."

"Not exactly what I said."

"You didn't have to."

When his fingers skimmed my neck and stopped directly on my racing pulse, I struggled to breathe.

"I see you," Seaver said.Before I could argue, he shook his head."I know you, Emilia.And you make me nervous too."

"I do?"

"Always have."

I could hear people moving inside the house, but I didn't move a muscle.

"Do you remember the first time you kissed me?" he asked."Because I do.It was right here in this pantry.You pulled me in just like you did a second ago.Your brothers and parents were outside wondering where we went.They would've killed me if they knew."

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