Page 143 of Stuck With You
I exhale, swinging Frankie to my hip. “All right, well, now that we know who’s been naughty and nice, should we get cookies and punch?”
“Yeah!” Ollie throws his hands in the air. “I w-want a snowman.”
We follow the snack line and find a table.
“You got your sled ready?” Trig asks as Slade helps Ollie with the folding chair. “It’s supposed to snow tonight.”
“We’re going to see Grandma Susie,” Ollie says, biting off the head of a snowman cookie.
The guys slide their phones from their pockets to check the predictions.
“You’re going home?” Slade asks softly, and it almost sounds as if there’s a hint of disappointment in his tone. It’s probably more that Iwantthere to be.Dammit.Things need to remain in the uncomplicated friend zone, which does not include hoping that he’s a little bummed we’re leaving.
I raise and lower my shoulder. “I can’t just sit here and wait for a court date. It’ll drive me crazy.”
“But do you want to go?”
I inhale and let it out. “I don’t want to face the barrage of questions about what I’ll do if Miles wins. Everyone means well, and they care,but gossiping and drama are what they live on. I want the kids to have some Christmas magic, though. My mom is good at bringing the fun to avoid anxiety, so maybe we can just hide from the town. It’s only two days.”
We finish our cookies, and Ollie hugs everyone goodbye. “Merry Christmas, Kissy.”
Krissy hugs him tightly. “I can’t wait to see what Santa brings you. I’ll be over to play. Ok?”
He nods and jumps to high-five all the guys.
Slade lifts him onto his shoulders and walks us to our car, helping Ollie buckle.
“Swade, do you think S-santa knows to bring my train t-t-to Grandma Susie’s?”
Slade’s eyes meet mine over the car seats, and I nod subtly. “Santa. . .has the best navigation system on his sleigh.”
Thankfully, I was able to find a Thomas the Train set in amazing condition on the other side of town. It’s not motorized, but Ollie will love laying the track in different formations.
“D-d-do you think you’ll really get a rock?”
Slade groans, tickling his belly, and Ollie giggles.
I strap Frankie in and close the door. Slade rounds the back of my car, tucking his hands in his pockets.
“Were you able to get any more information on the petition?”
I shake my head. “I called my attorney and left a message. The receptionist said he’d get back to me after the holidays.”
“You should talk to Macavoy. He’ll help you.”
My shoulders fall. “Slade, he’s my boss. I don’t want all of my past personal business to taint what I’m trying to build here.”
His brow furrows. “Talk to Kat, then. She won’t say anything.”
I know he wants to help, but very few know Miles the way I do. I have first-hand experience of him manipulating even my closest friends. It’s easy to do a lot of damage when you have a massive audience that believes what they see on a screen.
I smile. “You’re awfully bossy.” He rolls his eyes, and I move into him, wrapping my arms around his middle. “Thank you for caring and wanting to help me.”
His arms slowly slide around me, pulling me close. “What time are you leaving tomorrow?”
I move to release him, but his arms stay locked, holding me to him.All righty, then.“You smell so good.” Like cedar and car. I squeeze my eyes shut tight, having let that little bit slip out.
He huffs a laugh, his arms cinching me in a little tighter.
