Page 40 of Hot Momosa

Dahlia

I woketo my favorite and least favorite sounds. Gunnar’s laughter and Christmas music. This wasn’t just any Christmas music. It was the cheesy kind that my grandparents had listened to. Way too peppy with tones that made it sound like it was played in a tin can.

The aroma of fresh-baked cookies made me curious enough to brave the holiday spirit and leave the warm safety of the bed.

So far, my day stunk. Heck, the previous twenty-four hours were a dumpster fire. That baked goods could make me smile gave me hope that things would eventually return to normal.

Like I know what that is anymore.

I snuck down the hall and gasped at the condition of Leo’s living room. Boxes, some empty and some stuffed with decorations, covered the floor, and a short and squat tree stood near the French doors leading to the deck.

This has to be Leo’s surprise.

A perfect, golden brown turkey sat on the kitchen island waiting to be carved, and unless I was mistaken, he’d baked my favorite pie.

Like the Grinch, my heart swelled three sizes. Unfortunately, it felt like an overinflated balloon, and the reason behind Leo’s holiday extravaganza was the needle.

I’d made excuses when Leo had asked to spend time with Gunnar on Christmas, so he created the holidays here a couple of weeks early.

“Mamma! Look! I have a present.” Gunnar did a happy dance that put Snoopy to shame. “Can I open it?”

“I told him he could when you woke.” Leo gave me a bashful grin. “I thought we could get a head start.”

“I made cookies.” Gunnar grabbed my hand and dragged me into the kitchen. His expression reminded me so much of his father’s my chest tightened.

I swallowed hard and bit my lower lip to keep it from trembling. “What kind of cookies?”

“The Santa kind.”

The poor sugar cookies might have started out in the shape of Saint Nick, but they’d turned into mounds of red and white icing and silver sprinkles. “Those look delicious.”

He smirked. “Leo made yucky ones.”

Oatmeal raisin were my absolute favorite, but Gunnar hated all things grape, including the dried-up variety.

“You two have been busy.” I kissed the top of his head and made my way to his father. Slipping my arms around him, I whispered, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Leo’s expression softened along with his voice. “Do I get a kiss, too?”

“I…um…” Stepping back, I cursed my stupidity. I’d forgotten all the reasons Leo and I weren’t a couple. I’d let the comfort and familiarity lull me into letting my guard down. The problem was, it felt so damned right.

“Kiss Leo.” Gunnar clapped his hands.

“How can I possibly refuse?” I brushed my lips across his cheek, but before I could pull away again, Leo’s hand snaked beneath my hair and held me in place.

What started as a sweet gesture turned into a knee-liquifying ravishing that ended with me clinging to him while he dipped me backward.

Gunnar giggled. “Silly Mommy.”

Leo lifted his head, just far enough to wink at our son.

Silly indeed.

I smiled from my upside-down position, but it didn’t last long. Until I figured out what my future held, Leo and I needed to keep it on a friends without benefits level. If not for our sakes, then for Gunnar’s.

Leo set me upright. “How about that present?”

“Yes!” Gunnar lunged for the box on the counter.

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