Page 62 of All I Want For Christmas Is You

Could people stay close after so many years of kids, job losses, moves…all the shit that made a life?

Now, he got it. Because he had it with Margot. And it did something to him, cracked open a fault line he didn’t know he had, making him see how deeply he craved this kind of companionship.

As they headed downstairs for breakfast, his sense of contentment was only heightened by the lodge’s scents of pine, cinnamon, and warm bread. After spending most of his childhood in an RV, he’d viewed his cabin in Calamity as his first real home.

But in this moment, he understood that home wasn’t four walls or a zip code. It’s who you’re with and not where you are. And Beau was his best self, his truest self, with Margot.

What a fucking revelation. Happiness ran like a stream under his skin, and he brought Margot’s hand to his mouth for a kiss.

This morning, the staff wore elf costumes as they greeted each guest with a cheerful “Merry Christmas” and a small wrapped gift.

“Your aunt’s giving everyone a present?”

“Yeah. She loves making her guests feel like family—especially over the holidays. She says if they choose to spend it here, she’s going to make it special.”

“Well, it works.” They headed across the lobby. “What can we do? Does she need our help?”

She stopped walking and gazed up at him with a beaming smile.

“What?”

“You said ‘our.’ You asked if she needs our help.”

“Right.” He didn’t get it.

“You could’ve gone straight into the restaurant and filled your plate full of food. You could’ve been thinking about boning me. Instead, you knew I’d want to help her, and you were right there with me. That’s just really nice.”

“Well, thanks, but we should get one thing clear. I am thinking about boning you. But if your aunt needs something, I can put it off for a few minutes.”

She burst out laughing, and she just looked so sparkly and full of life that he couldn’t help himself from kissing her on the mouth right there in the lobby. And this sense of dissolving into another human being was so foreign to him and yet… It was everything he’d ever been missing in his life.

She tipped her head back to gaze up at him. “What was that for?”

“You make me happy.”

“I know. It’s crazy, right?” She sighed. “Come on. Let’s get breakfast. You’re going to need lots of carbs if we’re going to spend the day in bed.”

“Oh, is that the plan?”

“Is there anything you’d rather do?”

“Not a single thing.”

“Thank you for asking.” She reached for his hand. “But I texted my aunt while you were in the shower. She doesn’t need anything. Let’s just eat. You won’t believe the spread she puts out for Christmas.”

He combed his fingers through her hair, and when he got to the end, he twisted it. “You got it.”

The restaurant was bright and filled with lively conversation, laughter, and the clatter of dishes. Joining the line for the buffet, they grabbed shiny white plates with the green and gold Merry Falls Lodge logo. He lifted the lid on the first warming dish to find brown rectangles that smelled like sausage. “What the hell is that?”

“That’s livermush.”

“Liver? For breakfast?”

“Yep. It’s pig liver, cornmeal, and spices. It’s a staple around here. Most people stick it in a biscuit, like a sandwich.”

“Pass.” And yet, he noticed everyone was spearing a patty and dropping it onto their plates. Must be good.

She laughed. “Yeah, it’s not for everyone. I’m starving.” She gazed up at him, all warm and soft and sated. “Are you?”

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