Page 76 of A Cozy Kind of Christmas
She was saved by Matt, who bounded over to them like an eager puppy. “My crew! You are a sight for sore eyes. You haveno idea how glad I am you’re here tonight.” He scooped Meg then Jill into a hug.
“You and me both,” Lucinda agreed, tipping her glass to him. “Drink up, good sir. Drink up.”
Jill caught a tight exchange between them and watched as Lucinda’s gaze traveled to her dad and then back to Matt. She met his eye like she was searching for answers. He gave her a brief nod and then shook his head.
What was that all about?
Jill tried to get Meg’s attention, but she was keyed in on Matt, who had ordered a new round of drinks.
“Happy birthday,” Meg said, touching her pint to Matt’s. “I can’t believe you’re such an old man now.”
“To the old man,” Lucinda said, her words slurring ever so slightly as she used the edge of the table to prop herself up.
“To Matt,” Jill chimed in, raising her tea and wondering if anyone would pick up on the fact that she was abstaining tonight. For a while, it would be easy enough to explain—she had a touch of a sore throat or a cold or just couldn’t get warm thanks to the snow. She wouldn’t start to show for another month or two, but eventually, there would be no containing her burgeoning belly.
She wasn’t ready to share the news broadly.
Not yet.
She wanted to cherish this time, this short window where it was her and the baby.
“Aww, thanks.” Matt blushed and took a sip. “It’s going to be a banger tonight.”
“You can say that again.” Lucinda downed more of her drink.
Matt shook his head as if to stop her from saying more.
Something was brewing between them. Jill couldn’t put her finger on it, but she knew they were both on edge. The tension was undeniable and thicker than the snowfall outside.They looked like two people teetering on the edge of something irreversible like they were mere seconds from stepping off into an abyss, and neither of them was sure who was going to leap first.
“So, what’s the vibe?” Jill asked, clearing her throat and cradling her tea. “What are we doing first? Food? Dancing?”
“Don’t forget fireworks,” Lucinda interrupted. Her smile was sharp. “Literally and figuratively, right, Matt?”
Matt hesitated, his jaw tightening. “Yeah, but that’s later. I vote let’s grab snacks and find a spot to eat.” He motioned to the food tables. “Who’s with me?”
“Me!” Meg raised her hand like a schoolgirl. “You had me at ‘snacks.’”
They started toward the buffet. Jill caught a flash of movement behind the crowd. She turned her head and spotted Owen.
He cut through the guests like a man on a mission. His eyes were locked in on her.
Something was about to happen.
She could feel it.
But was this good, or bad?
FORTY-NINE
JOHANNA
Johanna rolled over in bed and glanced at her watch. “Shit, Connor. We’re super late for the party.”
“We’re late for the party,” he said, running his finger from the nape of her neck to the small of her back. “I like the sound of that—we. We’re late for the party.”
Johanna pulled away, tossing off the cover. “But we are late, Connor.”
“Fair enough. But hear me out. I’m just spitballing here, but what if we skip it and stay in bed all night?” He wiggled his brows and patted the empty space next to him. “I mean, because that was hot, Jo. Like super hot. What if we just stay, like forever?” He reached for her, yanking her gently back into the bed and nuzzling her wrist, letting his lips linger on her skin.
