Page 73 of A Cozy Kind of Christmas
Everything else fell away as their limbs tangled together.
She closed her eyes, feeling a truth she hadn’t been willing to recognize surfacing.
“I love you, too,” she whispered with a certainty that surprised her.
FORTY-SEVEN
MEG
Meg practically skipped to the lodge. Even the thought of seeing Matt and Lucinda couldn’t drag her spirits down. Jill was pregnant, and Owen was definitely going to propose—in the most romantic way, no less. It was like the Universe was helping to soften the blow by giving her something good—something wonderful—to focus on instead.
When she entered the lodge, which had been transformed into a winter wonderland, the party was already in full swing. Everything was washed in variegated shades of green—glittery green ornaments and garlands framing the windows, swaths of green fabric draped from the rafters, and a sea of guests whirling around the room in festive gowns and well-cut suits.
Dozens of Christmas trees lined the open ballroom, stretching to the vaulted ceiling with dazzling lights and glitzy baubles. Bright twinkle lights, velvet green ribbons, and glass ornaments cascaded from every branch. The scent of pine and cinnamon mingled with the faint smell of woodsmoke from the fire.
At the far end of the room, a vintage wood sleigh for photos had been placed in front of the huge bay windows. It sat on a patch of fake snow, complete with bundles of firewood andwrapped gift boxes. A sign read:Welcome to Blazen’s Winter Wonderland.
Long tables covered in green tablecloths were filled with silver platters and cake stands with an assortment of holiday delights—puffed cranberry and Brie pastries, winter salads, buttery rolls, ham, salmon, potatoes au gratin, chocolate and peppermint tea cakes, poached pears, and flaming crème brûlée. A birthday cake with marzipan Woodlawn creatures, spun sugar snowflakes, and fondant trees took up an entire round table. Matt’s name was written in sparklers, and the Blazen company logo was oddly displayed amongst the mouth-watering spread.
The bar was buzzing as bartenders in green suit jackets poured generous glasses of wine and pints of beer. Thanks to a five-piece band, music wafted from the dance floor. Christmas carols filled the warm room, serenading guests. Glittery ornaments the size of Meg’s head hung from the ceiling like disco balls, reflecting the candlelight.
The whole room pulsed with happy energy—clinking glasses and laughter.
Meg felt like she’d stepped into a real-life snow globe.
Everything was flawless.
Perfect.
Magical.
Just right for a winter wonderland proposal.
Meg sighed and scanned the large room. There were cozy seating sections with couches where people could gather and high-top tables to rest drinks. Wait staff circled with trays of delectable bites.
Meg frowned, spotting more Blazen logos tucked among the décor, reminding guests that Lucinda’s family was sponsoring this party. What was the deal with the subtle corporate branding?
She spotted Matt deep in conversation with a man she could only assume was Lucinda’s dad—Howard Hinton. He was dressed in a sharp, tailored black suit accented with a dark green tie and matching boutonnière. His salt-and-pepper hair was slicked down, and his beard was tightly trimmed. Meg couldn’t tell what they were talking about, but whatever they were saying, Howard didn’t look happy about their conversation. His lips were pursed in a tight frown, and his closed-off body language and the way he kept shaking his head made her sure he didn’t agree with whatever Matt was saying.
“Meg, you’re here!” Lucinda swept up to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder like they were long-lost friends. She was a vision in a gauzy sage green gown that clung to her hips and was cut in a plunging V to highlight her ample chest. “You look absolutely adorable.” She caught Meg’s arm and studied her dress, appraising her from head to toe like she was a project that needed work. “Love the black-and-green plaid—super cute.”
Adorable? Super cute?
Wasn’t she long past adorable at almost thirty?
But Lucinda wasn’t wrong. In comparison to Matt’s girlfriend, Meg was the cute, short friend—relegated to best friend status forever.
“Thanks.” She managed to smile. “You look stunning.”
“This?” Lucinda smoothed down her dress. “It’s an old one. I thought I was going to retire it for good, but tonight—this most auspicious occasion—called for something, hmm, well, what’s the word I’m looking for?”
“Gorgeous?” Meg offered.
Lucinda chuckled, brushing her off with a half wave. “Not at all. I was thinking more along the lines of ‘formal.’ It’s a formality now, isn’t it?” She glanced toward her dad and Matt.
Meg frowned. That was an odd way to speak about an engagement. Lucinda sounded almost resigned like it was abusiness transaction. She wasn’t closing a deal; she was about to commit to a lifetime of happiness with the man they both loved.
Only what if she didn’t?
