Page 31 of Not In The Christmas Plan
“When Ivy and the babies are here to enjoy it with me,” I answer automatically, though the words don’t land as firmly as I mean them to.
The air between us grows heavy. I don’t know what to think or say. I started this whole get the house ready for Ivy because I want her and the babies to have the perfect home coming. Ivy has had an incredibly difficult year without Dad.
But, I lost Dad too. I’ve been clawing my way through the same grief. Maybe I deserve to stop and taste thecocoa instead of just stirring it the same way he would have. Maybe I need to let go of the guilt of not being by Ivy’s side and let a little joy back into my own life.
My gaze drops to Grant’s hand still wrapped around mine. Maybe that joy is within my reach, closer than I would have thought.
“Okay, time for your initiation,” I say, needing to bring some lightness back.
“Initiation?”
“We’re watchingThe Best Man.You had way too many questions duringBest Man Holiday, so it’s time to get you caught up. Knowing the lore is required for staying in the Matthews household.”
“Don’t you mean Matthews-Simmons household?” he teases, easily picking up where our playful mood left off.
“Yeah, yeah.” I move to the edge of the bed, making room for Grant to get comfortable. “Grab the cookies.”
As the movie plays, I can’t help sneaking glances at Grant—cataloging his laughter at the jokes, the way he scoffs at the messy love triangle reveal, how he mutters, “Nah, he’s wild for that,” under his breath. The more he reacts, the more I find myself relaxing, and leaning into his warmth. So, when he wraps his arm around my shoulder, I let myself sink into him.
Grant was the last man who held me, and his embrace is just as comforting now as it was at the wedding. Better even.
I wrap an arm around his middle, snuggling in deeper and letting his scent wash over me. I’m surprised that themix of soap and pine clinging to him smells even better than the Christmas tree itself.
“Thanks, you smell amazing too,” he murmurs. “Like frosted berries and vanilla. All I’ve wanted is to stay close to you and breathe it in.”
I realize I said that out loud, but my eyelids are too heavy for me to take it back or even be embarrassed.
I manage to tell him, “Don’t let any crumbs spill on the sheets,” before falling into a cozy sleep.
Chapter thirteen
Iwake up to warmth.
There’s the flannel sheets and the sun weaving gold through the sheer curtains, yes. But there’s also the heat of Grant.
His arm is hooked across my waist, his chest curved over my back, and I can feel his heartbeat thudding softly at my temple.
He must sense me stirring because his fingers begin to move in a lazy rhythm up and down my spine, like this is something we do every morning. I soak it up.
“Take me somewhere you love today, Eve,” he murmurs, voice gravelly with sleep.
I turn just enough to meet his gaze, sleepy and serious. “What about everything on the list?” I ask.
“No lists today. Just you, showing the man you’re obsessed with your favorite place.”
I snort. “That’s a stretch.”
He chuckles. “Okay, okay. It doesn’t have to be your favorite place.”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
“No, I don’t,” he says, amused and so happy with his little jokes. “Now, somewhere that makes you smile.”
I settle deeper into his hold. There’s still work to be done around the house. I’m not done packing up our old things or finished with the nursery. But Grant wants to know what makes me happy. How can I not be touched?
A glimmer of light bounces across the snow globes on my dresser, catching my eye, and I smile.
“I know the perfect place.”
