Page 40 of The Christmas List

I can’t even help but smile at how ridiculously adorable she is. I joked at first that she clearly had Wyatt wrapped around her finger, but now I think I’m wrapped around it too.

In the few weeks that I’ve known her, I’ve fallen hopelessly for this sweet, darling little girl.

And… now I’m not too scared to admit to myself that I’ve fallen for her father too.

I care about them so much that it outweighs the fear and uncertainty about the future. If I let those insecurities win? Then I wouldn’t have Lucy or Wyatt in my life, and the thought of that makes my heart ache in the worst way.

In a way that I know will hurt infinitely more than if I took the chance and it somehow didn’t work out between us.

Lucy and Wyatt… they’re worth the risk.

Wyatt chuckles, searching through the stack of books she brought from her room until he finds the one she asked for. Lucy is all about her options, so of course, there are at least five here to choose from.

He opens it to the first page and starts reading, but he doesn’t get very far because she wants to point out all of the things we were learning in class the last couple of weeks before Christmas break. She points to the author’s and illustrator’s names, then tothe picture, and tells him that it’s an illustration that can help explain the story, and then she excitedly swipes the book from his hand and closes it, pointing out the spine.

My chest swells with pride and emotion. She’s so smart, and curious, and joyful.

I watch the two of them together as he begins to read again, and she finally quiets long enough to immerse herself in the story. When her eyes slowly start to droop, Wyatt grins down at her, his face a mask of total adoration for his strawberry blonde beauty. The battle with sleep finally becoming a victor, her eyes flutter closed.

Wyatt peers down at her, swiping away a lock of hair from her face, and continues to read, only in a quieter voice. Because even though she’s asleep now, he promised he would read the entire book, and he doesn’t want to break a promise to his daughter. The moment is so simple and innocent, but it’s a testament to what an incredible father he is. What an amazingmanhe is. She would never know the difference, but it matters to him.

My heart squeezes tightly in my chest as emotion claws its way up my throat, and I realize that I am deeply and hopelessly in love with Wyatt Owens. Every version of him.

I never stopped loving him, and now I love Lucy just as much.

And I might not know what the future holds, unable to predict if I’ll end up hurt in the end… again. But what I do know is that Wyatt will hold my heart with care, respect, and pride the same way he holds his daughter’s.

And that’s enough for me.

They’reenough for me.

13

wyatt

“Daddy, are you paying attention? They’re about to tell us who won!” Lucy cries, tugging on my hand.

Honestly? I wasn’t paying much attention to the stage because I was staring at Josie, unable to pull my eyes away from her. She’s standing beside me, laughing at the story that Grams is telling her about Lucy, her pretty red-painted lips curved in a broad smile that takes my breath away.

I don’t think I’ll ever stop being taken by surprise by how beautiful she is. How perfectly she fits with Lucy and me. How right it feels to have her standing next to me as if we’re already a family.

Something I can only dream about happening.

“Yeah, bug.” I smirk, peering down at Luce. “I’m paying attention. But you know, even if we don’t win, you still get to meet Santa, right?”

She nods, giving me a slight huff. “Yes, but I want to ride with him on the float and throw candy.”

Of course she does, and I want her to be able to too, but even if we didn’t win the competition today, I think I still won.

Because I’ve got her and Josie.

I nod as I reach for Lucy’s hand, threading my fingers in hers, squeezing reassuringly.

“Is she nervous?” Josie whispers near my ear, and I nod, turning to look at her. Worry mars the space between her brows, furrowing it deeply, and I chuckle.

“She’s fine. She’s a lot like you in the way that she’s competitive as hell. She wants to ride with Santa.”

“I hope we win,” Josie finally says, reaching for my other hand, slightly surprising me. I know she’s been… more hesitant about things with us, despite the incredible sex we’ve had and how amazing the last few weeks have been.

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