Page 24 of Merry on the Mountain
She bends down and picks them up. “Are you okay?” Her forehead is creased with worry as she hands them to me. “You seem off.”
I sigh and run my hand over my eyes. “I am. This is my first time being away from Izzy, and while I completely trust her grandparents, it’s just a lot. They’re all the way in Florida, and I’m here. It’s got me all thrown off.” I wave my hand in her direction. “And if I’m being entirely honest, I’m nervous about you.”
“About me?” Her brows rise nearly to her forehead. “Why would you be nervous about me?”
“You’re smart and independent. The way you live your life is intimidating in a way I’m not used to.”
“Living in a van intimidates you?” She bites back a smile. “That’s a first.”
“Living by your own rules,” I correct her.
“Ah, well. I do make my own rules. It’s never struck me as intimidating, though.”
I go still as she steps into my space and lifts her hand to the nape of my neck. My arms circle her waist, pulling her against me. She rises onto her toes and presses a soft kiss to my lips.
“How about we focus on just enjoying the night and keeping your mind off Izzy?”
She puts me at ease with her words and actions, so I nod in agreement. I lead us out to my truck, opening the door for her before walking around to the driver’s side. Our breath mists in the cold, evening air as I turn the engine on.
“So who is going to be there tonight?” she asks as I pull onto the road.
“You met Ava and Aiden. It’s at their house. Ben will be there; he’s the principal at Holly Ridge High School. Noah will also be there; he owns a ranch on the other side of the ridge. Everyone is child-free today, so there won’t be any kids.”
“That worked out well for this.”
“Yeah, that’s actually why Ava planned it.”
“Does she have kids?”
I shake my head. “No, but she’s kind of our go-to babysitter for poker nights.”
“Lucky you to find someone willing to be with all the kids.”
“Right? She’s so good with them all, too. She’s always doing art projects or putting on puppet shows. Izzy loves her.”
“And you think there’s something going on with her and Ben?”
“Possibly.”
“Want me to keep an eye on them? See if they disappear to another room for an extended period of time?”
“I feel like if they do that, it wouldn’t be any of our business, now would it?”
“Speak for yourself, I’m too nosey to look away.”
I see everyone’s car except for Aiden’s when we pull up to the house. Willa reaches for my hand as we walk up to the front door, and as we entwine our fingers, butterflies erupt in my stomach. I’d be mortified if anyone knew she makes me feel like a teenager on the inside. Being out of the dating game for the past couple years has sent me into the most embarrassing regression.
Ava welcomes us inside, the scent of Thanksgiving dinner filling the air. I hand over the sweet potato casserole and then lead Willa into the living room. A cursory glance at the football game on the television shows me that the Cowboys are losing. Least surprising thing I’ve seen all year.
“Turn that shit off,” I say good-naturedly.
Willa turns and looks at me with wide eyes. “You don’t like watching football?”
“He doesn’t like watching the Cowboys,” Noah says with a roll of his eyes. “I’m Noah.”
She takes his extending hand. “Willa. Nice to meet you.” She looks back to me. “Were you rivals with them or something?”
“No.” I narrow my eyes at her. “The Packers are our rivals.”
