Page 48 of The Merriest Christmas

Toby:Uh…

Archer:Because if that's what you're saying, you're wrong.

Oh my God.

Chase:So?Which is it?

Toby:I don't…think there's a right answer to this?

Chase:Correct.At least he's smart.

Archer:But is he smart enough for Emmy?

Dex:Good question.

Baylor:Excellent question.So Toby, what's your GPA?

Dex:Screw GPA.How many girlfriends have you had?We'll need a list, so we can question them about your past relationships.

Toby:Seriously?

Dex:Do I look like I'm joking?

Toby:No.

Chase:Do you read?Because Emmy loves books.

Archer:If you hurt her, you know you'll have to answer to us.Right?

After that, I left the room.

I didn't know if my brothers were serious or just giving him (and me) a hard time.But I couldn't listen anymore.If it was a different situation, I might've been amused.But this was too uncomfortable—especially with Seaver just sitting there, hearing everything, not saying a word.Part of me wanted to call him out, ask if he had anything to add to the conversation.The other part of me was relieved he stayed silent.

I frowned, trying to sort through my mixed emotions.

But before I could, a large, rough hand wrapped around mine and tugged me into semi-darkness.As my eyes adjusted, I felt my cheeks flush.

Seaver was staring down at me.He hadn't released my hand, and I was very aware of that fact.I was also very aware of how alone we were in the pantry.Again.

"We gotta stop meeting like this," he said.

"You're the one who dragged me in here," I said.

"Yeah, so we can talk."

"About what?"

"When do you want to tell them?" Seaver asked.

I just stared at him.

"Do you want me to do it?Because I will.Like I told you last night, I'm not scared."

Was he serious?

"Emilia, you okay?"

"Yeah," I said, "areyou?"

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