Page 55 of The Merriest Christmas

I raised my brows."I told you both already.Your presence is the best present."

"True," June said.

Maisie and Rose came online next, and seeing their faces, I couldn't help but grin.

"Sorry," Rose said, "my cousins were being crazy."

"Tell me about it," Maisie said."My mom got my sister a guitar for Christmas."

"How's that going?"

"I love Lola, but I hate that guitar."

We all laughed, then Rose tilted her head."Did I get the date wrong?I thought we were supposed to come over tomorrow."

I shook my head."No, you got it right."

"Okay," Maisie said, "so what's up?"

"I decided to call an emergency meeting of the book club."

They sat forward.

"I know we've never done this before.And some of us can only attend certain meetings because well…life.But I really need your help," I admitted.

"This is so exciting," Rose said."It's exactly why I wanted to create book club in the first place.Should I text Finn?"

"No!"

I calmed my voice then tried again.

"No, I just need to talk to my girls," I said.

"Hmmm, I'm guessing this is about Seaver," Rose said, seeing far too much.

"Seaver?" Maisie echoed."Wasn't that the guy who showed up at book club that time?Dex's old best friend?"

I nodded."That's the one."

"Did he come back?" Rose asked.

"He did.He brought my brothers with him."

"Oh, that's so sweet."

"Wait, wait," June said."Seaver's at your house right now?"

"Um hm."

"How'd that happen?"

"Mom invited him—and four of her players."

"Full house," Charlie said.

"Yep."

"Seaver arrived yesterday and stayed the night," Rose put in.

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