Page 24 of Mistletoe & Magic
Then the smell of pancakes hits me. I’m confused because I’ve been doing all of the cooking.
I shiver as I pull on slippers over my thick socks and head toward the kitchen, hair still a mess from sleep, and stop in the doorway.
Remy’s at the stove in a faded red flannel, sleeves shoved up his forearms, spatula in one hand.
Junie’s sitting cross-legged at the counter across from him in flannel pajamas with little candy canes all over them, her hair pulled into a braid so neat it could win an award.
“You made pancakes?” I ask, like it’s the most shocking thing I’ve ever seen Remy do.
Remy doesn’t look at me, just flips a pancake onto a plate and slides it across the table toward the empty chair. He doesn’t even use words, just the tiniest chin tilt toward it, likethat’s for you.
“Thanks,” I say softly, but he’s already turning back to the stove.
Junie takes a giant sip of orange juice and grins at me over the glass. “He made a mess.”
I follow her gaze and try not to laugh. The counter looks like a bag of flour exploded. There’s a trail of batter drips across the stove top, and eggshells in the sink.
“It’s okay,” I say, hiding a smile. “I bet they’re super yummy.”
Remy flicks her a look, more amused than annoyed. “You made the mess.”
“You cracked the eggs everywhere,” she says matter-of-factly.
It’s so cute watching them together. He’s been working a lot this week, and it looks like he might actually have a day off.
I sit, take a bite of the pancakes that are fluffy and perfectly cooked, and hum my approval. “These aresogood.”
“Junie is the best helper,” he says, like that explains everything.
“What are your plans today?” I ask Junie, still not trying to focus on Remy.
“Nana needs me to help her with her decorating,” Junie says as she wipes her mouth on her napkin.
“How about you?” Remy asks, bringing his coffee mug to his lips.
He needs a shave, and probably a haircut, but he looks damn good. Rugged and hot. I’m distracted and shake myself back into the moment.
“I overslept and missed my ride into town with Willa. But I can see if my mom can come get me,” I shrug.
“What do you need to do in town?” he asks as he leans back against the counter and watches me. He does that, and it’s not in a creepy way, but it makes me feel like I should have tried harder this morning instead of throwing my wild hair up in a messy bun and throwing on a hoodie.
“I need to run a bunch of errands,” I say as I take another bite and close my eyes. These are delicious pancakes.
He slides over a small plate of bacon, and I smile and help myself to a piece.
I realize there’s a lot I don’t know about Remy. I know his mom very well, and we grew up in the same town, but he’s older than I am, so we weren't close growing up. When I was nine, he was eighteen and already away at college. Finn is younger, so I got to know him better. Remy moved back here when Junie was a baby about four years ago.
Donna sweeps in with the cold and the smellof coffee, kisses Junie’s cheek, and starts gasping like the house is a museum. “Look at this garland. Who staged this, elves?”
“Me and Ivy,” Junie says, tugging her along. “Come on, Nana, I'll show you.” She points at every decoration. “Isn’t Ivy great?”
“She's wonderful.” Donna winks at me, then she turns to Remy. “Can you take Ivy to town? I am going to take Junie. We have a lot to do. You two share a truck. Save gas. Fall in love.”
“Mom,” Remy warns, and the way he says it tells me he's used to her meddling and giving him crap.
Donna looks at me and back at Remy with a grin. “Fifteen minutes, Junie. Wear something that says festive. We're going shopping first.”
I head to my room and hurry and get ready. I curl my hair, dab on a little shimmer, and pick the green sweater with the soft sleeves that make me feel like a present. I add jeans, boots that feel comfortable but look good, and tie on my favorite red scarf. I love this time of year and the romantic rituals of dressing cozily. The small decisions that feel like a celebration. By the time I tie the scarf, my cheeks are warm, and my nerves are frazzled, and I can hear Junie below telling Donna again how great I am. I feel the same about that kid.
