Page 85 of The Naughty List

“And to Alex,” her mother joins in, “for making our little girl happy and being such a wonderful new addition to our traditions.”

Sadie smiles and nudges my shoulder with hers.

“Now when do we get to the nog luge?” I ask, as we all dig in to dinner.

“A man after my own heart,” Gene remarks with a laugh. “Hurry up and eat guys before the ice luge me—”

“Don’t you dare. Sadie, Grace, and I labored a lot of hours to prepare this meal, you boys aren’t going to go run off after barely eating it,” Dawn scolds.

“Yes, dear.” Gene gives me a look. “The key to a happy marriage, son. Learn that phrase and use it often. Right, Troy?”

Both men laugh, and Grace and Dawn just roll their eyes.

I slide my hand into my pocket, fidgeting with the ring that’s been burning a hole in it all afternoon. A few weeks ago, I called Gene and Dawn and asked for their blessing to marry Sadie. They were both ecstatic. Dawn burst into tears before they both agreed.

“So, did Sadie ever tell you guys the story about how me met?”

Her eyes bulge out of her head and her face burns red, making me chuckle into my napkin.

“No, but I think we need to hear it,” Jason says after seeing the look on his sister’s face.

“So, I wa—”

“Don’t you dare!” Sadie yells, her eyes pleading with me not to embarrass her. She thinks I’m going to tell the towel story, but that wasn’t when we met.

“It was her new-hire orientation. I was giving a welcome speech to the group.” Her shoulders drop with relief. “She caught my eye immediately. She was absolutely breathtaking in that front row. Scribbling down notes so diligently.” I look over at her and squeeze her leg under the table.

“And was it love at first sight for you, Alex?” Dawn asks, swooning.

“I think so. After that day I first saw her three years ago, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. I never lost hope that someday we’d get the chance to get to know each other, become friends at the least.”

Sadie’s eyes fill with tears. “Love you,” she mouths, before leaning in for a kiss.

“Gross,” Skyler mutters.

“It’s beautiful,” his mother corrects him, playfully smacking his arm. “What changed? I mean, what started you guys off getting to know each other after so long?”

I take a sip of my wine. “She came over to have me sign a contract and saw me naked.”

The table goes completely silent for a long beat, and then the boys burst out laughing.

“Are you serious?” Gene asks, not even attempting to hide his laugher.

“Yup.” Sadie has her face buried in her hands and is shaking her head. “Isn’t that right, sweetie?”

“Well, you have to tell the story now,” Dawn says, eyeing her daughter.

“Should I?” I ask, looking over at Sadie.

“No!” She gulps down the rest of her wine and grins. “Allow me.”

She launches into the story, cracking everyone up with her theatrical gestures and dramatic storytelling. She even goes on to tell them about how she told her friends the story, who still refer to me as Mr. Candy Cane; and how we shared our first kiss on stage in front of a room full of strangers and won the kissing contest.

“Oh, you kids,” Dawn says, fanning her face as her tears of laughter morph into tears of joy. “I’m just so happy for you,” she barely squeaks out.

We finish dinner and everyone helps clean up before heading out to the garage for the luge. I convinced Sadie to join this year.

After the luge, we head back into the house.

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