Page 60 of Wylder Ranch
“Well, congratulations on that too.” And out of nowhere, I lean in and kiss her cheek.
My lips press into her skin, or it could be Haven’s cheek pressing into my lips. All I know is this is the closest I’ve gotten to her since she arrived in Valentine Nook.
I don’t get to dwell on it because my sister is bent over double and wheezing with laughter.
“Oh my God, Al. You’re hilarious. A birthday party.”
I manage to tear my eyes away from Haven to glare at Clementine, adding a snarl to boot. “Hilarious?”
She claps her hands. “Yes. Fucking funny. I can’t believe you spent the afternoon blowing up balloons, you absolute lo?—”
I slowly raise one brow, which stops her laughing quite so hard.
“It’s adorable,” she corrects. “Absolutelyadorable.”
“Better.”
“Hey, I blew up the balloons too,” Miles gripes, moving away from Max, who’s repeatedly trying to get his own back and hit him in the face.
“Well done, Milo. I’m sure I can find a medal for yousomewhere,” she drawls, adding an eye roll while she ruffles his hair. Then she spots the birthday cake on the table. “And there’s cake?”
“Did Pierre make it?” asks Holiday, breaking from whatever hushed conversation she’s having with Lando.
Haven’s still having a hard time grasping what’s going on, and I don’t blame her. “Who’s Pierre?”
“The Burlington chef.”
“And you planned this all today?”
“Came up with the idea when you left for the spa.” I grin, and I’m actually really fucking proud of myself. “How was it, by the way? Feel relaxed?”
The smile still stretching from ear to ear tells me all I need to know. “Awesome. The best I’ve felt in a long time. Thank you, Alex.”
My grin widens becausethat,that look? I’ve given her that. And in turn, I know right now, with her staring at me the way she is, it’s the bestI’vefelt in a long time.
Fuck it.
“So I was thinking. Instead of leaving, how about you don’t?”
“What?”
“Stay for Christmas?” I blurt, and it comes out as a question.
Her head tilts, but not in a way like she’s surprised at my request, like she’s already thought about it. “You’re asking us to spend the holidays with you?”
“I am.”
“But you hate the holidays.”
Pushing away the intrusive thoughts, I focus on spending the next month together—the three of us.
“I’m thinking that with you and Everly around, I might not hate them quite as much as usual. So if you don’t have any other plans, what do you say? I’ll take you back to Aspen for New Year’s.”
“You don’t mind having a housemate a little longer?”
I shake my head. “No.”
Haven peers down at Everly, who’s quite happily watching Max run around with his balloon, then back to me. “Okay then, yes, we’d love to.”
