Page 22 of Connected By Christmas
“It was,” Emma giggles through her tears.
The waiter returns with our check, and our laughter finally dies down.
“Are you good, Noah?” I look at my best friend and notice he’s still a bit tense.
“Yeah, I’m good. I’m not going to lie, though. It was hard as fuck not to punch him in the face. I’ve been wanting to do it since the moment she told me what he did.”
“I’m pretty sure, judging by the look on his face, he thought you were going to do it,” Bell glances at Noah with sympathy in her eyes. “You did the right thing, though. Emma’s pregnant and doesn’t need the stress even though he deserved a punch to the face.”
“That’s what stopped me.” Noah looks down at Emma as she leans against him, lying her head on his chest.
“He’s not worth it. Everything that happened led me to you, and that’s all that matters.” I hear Emma say softly.
“It’s all that matters,” Noah agrees and kisses her hair.
As we walk out of the restaurant, Noah tosses me the keys to his truck. Grinning, I catch them as the boys give me a knowing look. I’ve had this night planned out for months, and with everyone’s help, we pulled it off without Bell having a clue.
“We will see you both tomorrow. Have fun tonight, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Sophia laughs and hugs a confused Bell.
“What are you talking about?” She laughs when Emma and Skye excitedly hug her next. She looks around at all our grinning faces and lands on me with a raised eyebrow.
“What are you up to?”
“I’m kidnapping my fiancé for the night.” I grin and take the overnight bag Travis grabbed from his rental.
“I packed for you while you showered this morning,” Sophia grins. “The girls and I bought something extra that we slipped in there for you because tonight isnota night for flannel.”
“Now I’m really worried,” Bell laughs.
“You will love it, I promise. Noah and I went last year, and it’s amazing.” Emma steals a glance at her husband and blushes at the memory.
They say their goodbyes, and I open the door for Bell as she climbs into the truck.
“Do I get a hint?” She asks as I start the truck engine.
“Nope,” I grin and head in the opposite direction of our friends as we pull out of the parking lot.
“How long have you been planning this?” I hear the excitement in her voice and glance over at her. She looks so adorable as she peers out the window, trying to figure out where we are going. We came straight from the slopes so she’s stillwearing her leggings and winter boots. Her blond waves hang down around her white snow jacket with a matching beanie.
“A while.” I focus back on the road as we leave the downtown area and go further into the mountains. I hear her seatbelt unclick and watch her scoot to the middle before she fastens herself back in. Her warm body snuggles against mine as I put my arm around her.
“Thank you.”
“You haven’t even seen where I’m taking you yet,” I chuckle.
“I don’t have to. I already know I’m going to love it because you took the time to plan it for me.”
“What if it involves snakes?” She lifts her head and studies me. I know it’s the one thing she’s afraid of.
“It doesn’t,” she shakes her head and decides. “You want to see what the girls picked out for me to wear, and you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that.”
“You’re right,” I laugh. “That is something I wouldneverjeopardize.”
I see the sign for the campground and turn onto the snow-packed road.
“We are going camping?” She eyes me warily and looks out the window. “It’s freezing out.”
“I thought you liked camping?” I pretend to be confused as I wind deeper into the forest.
