Page 116 of Every Thought Taken

Bringing a hand to his cheek, I run my fingers through the longer hair lining his jaw. Beards have never been my thing, but Anderson makes me look at them in a whole new light. Rugged and irresistible. Virile and delectable.

And now, my heart is racing for an entirely different reason.

“Love you, Ander.” I drop my lips to his and chase the buzz coursing in my veins. The high only Anderson makes me feel.

Breaking the kiss, he chuckles. “Should probably get inside. Ales will maim us if we don’t show.” He kisses my cheek. “Or worse, if she catches us in the car with fogged windows.”

Heat hits my cheeks. The last thing either of us needs is Lessa embarrassing us in front of everyone.

I unbuckle my seat belt. “Let’s go,” I say, reaching for the bag on the floorboard with our potluck dish.

Anderson laughs harder as he cuts the engine and opens his door. He waits for me at the front of the car, lacing our fingers as we walk toward the front door. “Bring on the holiday cheer,” he teases, waving a hand at the massive display of lights on the house.

Holiday decorations and the change in season get me all up in my feels. The twinkling lights and shiny ornaments. The endless cheer and snowy landscapes. Merry music and the air thick with pine. Marshmallows and chocolate and special recipes set aside for this time of year. I love it all. So long as someone else does all the arduous work.

Not that I am lazy or incapable. More like I want to skip to the good part.

Much as I love holiday decorations, I am thankful our cozy little apartment doesn’t have enough room for extensive trimmings or space to store during the rest of the year. As is, Smoky has knocked down the tree half a dozen times and pooped tinsel daily. Next year, things will be different.

“I love that she and Geoff decorate the house.” I lean into Anderson. “After her dad’s stroke, things weren’t the same. Mags rarely left the house. Holidays were just another day.”

Memories of an underweight Mags with dark circles under her eyes flash in my mind. In such a short time, she’d lost so much. Her two favorite people disappeared from her life far too early. Lessa and I did everything within our power to lift her up, and Mags was grateful. But she still wanted what we were unable to give her—Maria and Jacob Bishop.

“Until coming back, holidays held no value for me either.” We pause at the front door and Anderson twists me to face him. “Not much in life means anything without you, North.”

Tears sting the back of my eyes as emotion swells my throat. “You make everything matter, Ander.” I step into him, push up on my toes, and kiss him. “Everything,” I whisper.

Anderson opens his mouth to say something but is cut off as the front door whips open.

Hands on her hips, Lessa cocks a brow and smirks. “Making out on the porch?” She waggles her brows.

Anderson rolls his eyes and chuckles. “Maybe. What’s it to you?”

“Just want it out of your system before you come in. No swapping spit on the couch.”

My face twists up in what I’m sure is an unpleasant expression. “Ew, Lessa.” I shake my head. “Ander and I are adult enough to show restraint. Unlike the rest of you.”

She waves off my comment. “Get inside. It’s freezing out.”

Hugs and hellos are exchanged as we weave our way through the crowd. The usual crew is here—Mags and Geoff, Lessa and Braydon, Logan and Owen. But there’re a few other faces here tonight. August, Sharon, Willow, and Mandi from the coffee shop are huddled near the hors d’oeuvres. Becca and Charise from the shop are parked on the couch with a very smiley Logan trying to charm them both.Save us all.And last, but certainly not least, Beatrice from Statice. That woman is like another mother to Mags and an incredible mentor.

Our group may have grown over the years, but at its core, it is still the same. True and selfless and unending. Through and through, these people are my family. And I am honored to know them all.

I deposit the bag on the counter and take out the salmon spread and crostini. Anderson gets us drinks while I set out our dish. Drinks in hand, we load plates with a little bit of everything, then find seats in the living room.

Jolly music plays in the background as conversations take center stage, the occasional laugh echoing in the room. Every single person has a smile plastered on their face, even me.

Even though I am on the cusp of puking.

Geoff adds another log to the fireplace and I wish he wouldn’t have. A fresh round of perspiration licks my skin and I pray I don’t look as sweaty as I feel. Across the room, Lessa meets my gaze and cocks a brow. A silent question in her stare. I return her stare and add a brief, flat smile.

She sets her plate down, then clinks her fork to her glass.

Yep, I’m going to throw up.

“Happy holidays, everyone.” She clinks the glass again and conversations quiet. “Just wanted to take a moment to say thank you. This year has been a whirlwind and I couldn’t have gotten through a single minute of it without you all.” She raises her glass, and everyone follows suit. “I love you and am lucky to have you in my life. Cheers.”

“Cheers,” everyone says collectively before taking a drink.

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