Page 41 of Booked for the Holidays
He probably won’t even be there.
But if he isn’t, where is he?
When I walk into my parents’ house, I’m hit with that instant holiday rush. The scent of pine and gingerbread. My mom’s multiple Christmas trees. A million twinkle lights. And Nat King Cole crooning from the stereo.
I inhale the magic and start to relax.
Then I seehim.
Standing by the fireplace in a dark green sweater that fits him way too well, laughing with my dad and Jasper. A plate of gingerbread cookies in hand like he belongs here.
I wobble, nearly dropping the crockpot of mulled wine, but manage to make it into the kitchen.
There, Cassie greets me then lifts the lid and sniffs, her nose scrunching. “Who actually drinks this stuff? It’s basically hot potpourri.”
“It’s festive,” I argue.
Clearly, Cassie did not put the mulled spice bag in my advent calendar. And if she did, she’s regretting it.
Mom appears with a tray of appetizers and sweeps me into a hug. She pulls back, frowning at my hand. “Is that a burn?”
“Hot cocoa spill. I’m fine,” I mumble, but she’s still frowning.
Her eyes flick to the bow in my hair instead. “I love this one. Where’d you find it?”
I open my mouth, then shut it again. Because no one is fessing up to my advent calendar surprises and it’s making me crazy.
“Um—” I start, but before I can make something up, my cousin’s kids barrel through the kitchen, grab fistfuls ofgumdrops off the decorating table, and vanish in a trail of squeals and sugar dust.
Mom gestures toward the lone gingerbread kit at the end of the table. “We saved you the last one.”
I glance at Cassie hopefully. “You want to build with me?”
“Sorry, already teamed up with Wiley,” she says. “It was basicallyMr. & Mrs. Smithbut with royal icing and passive-aggressive gumdrops.”
Mom pats my arm like she’s about to drop a bomb. “So, you’ll be with Liam.”
“Liam?” I choke.
And right on cue, as if he was summoned, he appears at my shoulder.
“Hey, Firefly.” His voice is low against my ear. Warm. Infuriating. Intimate.
“Firefly?” my mom echoes, perking up.
Liam smiles, all bright-eyed and obnoxiously charming. “Juniper’s new nickname. For her bright smile and radiant presence.”
“Oh, that’s adorable.”
My mom and Cassie blink up at Liam like he’s the most thoughtful man.
“Is that mulled wine?” Liam asks, grabbing a cup. “I love this stuff.” He winks at me, and I nearly combust.
Cassie presses her lips together. “So does Juni.”
My mom leaves to refresh her drink, and Cassie decides to join Wiley and a few others in a game of holiday charades.
“I didn’t know you’d be here,” I mutter.
