Page 19 of Home for the Holidays

Charity snorted. “Sure.”

“I swear. The kids will be waiting.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Stop,” Heidi said with a laugh as she pointed at Charity. “Have a good Christmas, my dear.” She pulled her into a hug. “If you tell anyone about this, you’re fired.” She kissed her on the cheek.

“You can’t fire me. I have so much shit on you.” Charity hugged her tight. “Love you, Heidi.”

“Love you, too, babe.”

CHAPTERNINE

The instant Iris got back into the SUV, she texted Heidi. She wasn’t going to make that woman wait one more second. She kept it simple, which was probably for the best.

It’s Iris. From the bathroom.

Within seconds, she got a response.Wrong number.

She looked at her hand, then again at the number. Another text dinged.

H:Just kidding. ;)

I:Good one. I thought you’d given me a fake number.

H:Nope, it’s all me. That was…gosh, it was unexpected.

I:So unexpected but so fucking fun.

H:You’re delightful. When can I see you again?

Iris’s heart was beating so fast. She leaned her head back and squealed.Tonight? Or tomorrow? If you’re free? I’ll try to get away.

H:Tomorrow will work. Let’s meet at the café. I’ll let you know what time tomorrow.

I:Done.

She put the car into drive and headed back to the house. She was so late now. Surely everyone would be up and at ‘em. She was glad she had gone back into the Easy Bake, though. It’d been a minute since she’d taken advantage of a situation like that, and it made her feel unstoppable—completely reinvigorated. Was it a dumb decision to get all tied up with a woman who lived too far away to see on a regular basis? Could she even keep calling herself a lesbian, though, if she didn’t consider U-Hauling across the country for someone? Oh god, would she really consider leaving NYC for someone? For this woman?

Iris, what the hell? You are getting way too ahead of yourself!

When she got to the house, she grabbed the box of pastries from the passenger seat. There was a small heart and aThank Youwritten in beautiful cursive in the corner. Heat flushed her body just at the sight of what had to be Heidi’s handwriting. The desire to see her again was coursing through Iris with the speed and intensity of a runaway train.

The smell of coffee enveloped her after she finally made her way into the house, as did the realization that she had never finished the delicious cappuccino that Heidi had made for her.Dammit. She guessed she’d just have to go back for another one…

“Well, good morning, beautiful,” came Zac’s voice as he wrapped his arms around her from behind, startling her. He let out a tiny laugh. “Did I scare you?” Okay, so he was starting their fake-relationship production. Great. She was hoping she’d at least get the chance to freshen up, but apparently not.

She quickly turned and hugged him back. “Yes, you did, you jerk. I’m happy you’re awake.”

“That was a great idea to go to the café.” He pulled away and took her coat like they’d been together for years. “I’m sure Mom would have brought stuff home, but that’s still so nice of you.”

“What do you mean?” She knelt down and pet Maddie, who was eagerly waiting for head rubs. She was just so stinking cute. And for a twelve-year-old Golden, she got around surprisingly well.

“Oh, damn, did I forget to tell you?” He took her hand and led her into the huge kitchen.

“Tell me what?”

“Bro, you made it!” A man who looked very similar to Zac practically tackled him with a hug. “It’s been forever, my little man.”

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