Page 43 of The Merriest Christmas

Finn grinned."Ten bucks says you can't eat nine in under a minute."

Baylor's answering grin was borderline cocky, just like him."You're on."

"I bet twenty that even if Bay manages to eat them, he pukes them up later," Dex said.

"Thanks a lot, D."

"You're welcome."

Dex's sarcasm was one of my favorite things about him, and I smiled because he was here.They all were.I was still trying to process it.Archer gave me a quick bear hug then kept walking into the house with Mom.Before going inside, Dex sidled up to me.

"Looks like your plan worked," he said.

"Yeah, still not sure how that happened," I replied, watching the rest of my brothers filter into the house.

"It was kind of genius, sending Seaver to come pick us up."

"What?"

"Seaver," Dex repeated as my heartbeat doubled."He's the only person I know crazy enough to drive in this weather."

He nodded to the guy in question, and my head snapped in that direction, watching as Seaver hit the automatic locks on his car then slowly sauntered up the driveway.His eyes were locked on me.

"Plus, you don't even like him," Dex added with a laugh."This got him out of the house and away from you for a minute.Good thinking, Emmy."

Forcing myself to look away, I shook my head.

"I'd love to take credit, but that wasn't me."

Dex frowned.

"Seaver was never part of the plan," I said quietly.

My brother looked surprised."He wasn't?"

"Nope."

"Then why did he do it?"

"Not sure," I said."Maye he was just being nice."

Dex frowned."Seaver isn't nice."

"Thanks, man," Seaver said, catching that last bit as he reached us.

"Hey, I didn't mean anything by it.I'm not nice either."

I rolled my eyes."Yeah, you are, Dex.You're like a salted caramel, hard and gritty on the outside, mushy and sweet on the inside."

"Should I feel insulted?" he asked.

"No way.It's why you're my favorite sibling."

"You're mine too, Emmy—even if your descriptions suck."Dex nodded at Seaver."Seriously, man, thanks for the ride."

"No problem," Seaver said.

"You guys coming inside?"

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