Page 47 of A Not So Merry Ex-Mas

Cole and I both snort, knowing that laughing out loud right now would be averybig mistake.

“Thank you for baking, Noe,” Mel says in a clipped tone. “I’m looking forward to Gran’s recipe, freshly baked.”

“Anything for you. And take me off speaker for a second,” I hear some soft clicks as I turn the speaker off and bring the phone to my ear.

“Are you okay?” I ask, my voice laden with concern. I leave Cole in the kitchen and head to the living room for privacy.

Mel is silent for a moment before responding. “Yes, I’m fine, I swear. I just have some news to tell you. News I want to tell you in person.”

“Mel…” My thoughts immediately fly to her being sick.

“NO!” Mel quickly interrupts, knowing the direction my thoughts are heading. “It’sgoodnews. I promise.”

“Phew.” My hand flies to my chest. “You had me worried.”

“Sorry,” she softly chuckles. I can all but see her lifting her shoulder and squishing her nose. “Now go and get back to baking, please.”

“Will do,” a huge smile lights my face as I put the pieces together. “Drive safe, and try not to kill Mike. He’s a keeper.”

There’s a pause, and I can imagine her eyeing Mike up and him raising his hand with a “what did I do” gesture.

“Maybe you’re right, we’ll see. He’s on thin ice at the moment.” I’m unable to stop the giggle that escapes me. “See you soon!”

“Can’t wait!”

I stare at the phone briefly before returning to the kitchen. I lean against the door frame, a broad smile covering my face.

“Everything okay?” Cole asks.

When I don’t respond, he glances in my direction. I watch his mouth go from tipping down to a full-blown smile. “What’s that grin for?”

“Mel’s pregnant,” I whisper excitedly.

“What?” His eyes widen, and his mouth drops open. “Did she tell you that?”

I shake my head back and forth and my smile widens. Without thinking I take a step toward Cole with my hand out. Just as I almost reach him, I catch myself and drop my hand. I see sadness run through his eyes at my hesitation.

“Mel is never cranky—”

“Never?” Cole tilts his head and narrows his eyes at me.

“Okay, maybe notnever,” I shrug and giggle. “But rarely. She and Mike are usually madly in love with each other and sickeningly cute. Her reaction is abnormal for them, and I know they’ve been trying to get pregnant for a long time. Sooo…”

“You think they are?” Cole’s whole expression brightens as I smile and nod. “WOW! I’m gonna be an uncle.”

My heart skips at how much I love him, and my stomach drops as the earlier look in his eyes pops into my head.

“Definitely exciting news.” I return to the counter and get organized for baking cookies.

There’s a thickness in the air as I mix the ingredients. Cole grabs one bowl, and I give him a questioning look.

“This is for the dry ingredients.” My eyebrows shoot past my hairline, and he gives me the most adorable boyish grin. “I paid attention that Christmas.”

“So it would seem,” My lips gently lift.

He continues with the leaveners as I mix the eggs, butter, flour, and vanilla with an electric mixer.

When the mixer quiets, I hear Christmas music playing softly. Pressure burns the back of my eyes, and I drag my attention back to blending the leaveners with the flour mixture.

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