Page 74 of The Crush of Christmas Past
A baby bird watches as she flaps wildly and launches off, only to tumble into a pile of leaves.
She gasps, hands flying to her cheeks. “Oh, no! I fell. How will I teach Chirpy now?”
“That’s okay,” Stardust says gently. “Helping takes practice, too. Don’t give up.”
Jovie sits up, shaking leaves from her hair, and walks over to the bird so they can try again.
This time, she stays upright, touching down on the ground with both feet. The little bird also successfully wobbles into flight, landing on a nearby branch.
“Look! I did it!” Real Jovie mirrors her cartoon self, leaping off Theo’s lap like she’s also flying. “I did it! I helped!”
Theo tousles her hair. “Because you didn’t give up.”
I’m transfixed. The level of detail, the way he’s captured Jovie’s expressions perfectly—this wasn’t some quick, half-hearted project. It’s a labor of love and devotion arranged in pixels.
“Incredibledoesn’t even begin to cover it,” I whisper in awe.
Theo’s fingers flex against the screen. “I had some help. My team is great about banding togetherwh—”
He stops, but I don’t react fast enough to hide the crack in my composure. I’ve never had that. That feeling of belonging at work.
His mouth thins into a tight line, but I just shrug.
It isn’t his fault I spent two years in a boys’ club that tore at my confidence before dumping me with a condescending smile.
Jovie saves the moment by snatching Theo’s phone. “Gotta show Jelly!” she declares, sprinting off toward Evangeline.
Theo shakes his head and laughs. “I’m never getting that phone back, huh?”
“Trust me, it’s better that way. Last time she got her little paws on mine, it came back sticky. She has a thing for picking marshmallows straight out of the hot chocolate.”
“Kind of like someone else I know.” His laughter lingers, but something shifts when he turns to me. “Your book is really good, Isla.Reallygood. Your use of color brings everything to life. You had both Jovie and me hooked from page one.” His gaze meets mine. “If I’d known we’d have the same idea for her gift, I would’ve coaxed you into teaming up.”
I arch an eyebrow, fighting to keep my expression neutral despite the treacherous flutter in my chest. “Teaming up? As I recall, we weren’t exactly on speaking terms.”
“Next year,” Theo says simply.
Two words that carry more weight than I’m able to hold.
Next year.
As if there’s no doubt about it. His casual certainty sends warmth through me that has nothing to do with the nearby fireplace.
I search his face. “You haven’t been around for Christmas since I started spending it with your family.”
“That needs to change,” he mutters, throat bobbing on a hard swallow. “For my family. Andfor—”
The rest of Theo’s sentence is interrupted by the loud bang of the front door swinging open. A gust of cold air sweeps in, followed by Felix and Rowan. The twins stomp snow from their boots while in a heated debate about technique.
Almost simultaneously, Asher strides in from the kitchen, face flushed with excitement. No hot chocolate or marshmallows in sight.
Damn.
“I have an announcement,” he declares, voice cutting through his brothers’ argument.
Evangeline slides her attention from the phone that Jovie is holding so close to her face the device is almost kissing her nose. “I believe you’ve used up your quota of announcements for the season, dear.”
“I know, but this one can’t wait.” Asher grins, rocking on his heels. “I’m going on Sienna’s honeymoon.”
