Page 66 of A Pen Pal for Christmas

I laughed at the low blow, but then Tommy leaned forward, crossing his arms and propping them on the table between us. “I’d actually love to know the answer to that.”

I rolled my eyes, fighting back a grin. “She said yes, by the way. To moving in. Thanks for asking.”

Nick raised his beer in a mock toast. “Congrats.”

“Thanks,” I deadpanned. “But as for the proposal, one thing at a time. There’s a lot going on right now.”

Tommy wasn’t ready to let it go, tilting his head from side to side. “It’s been pretty chill lately. Is this the part where to tell me it’s just so you can keep her safe again? Because if so… marriage doesn’t make herunsafe.”

“Seems pretty safe to me,” Nick agreed. “No timeline for the big question, then?”

I smirked, taking a slow pull from my beer. “You’re assuming I’d tell you if there was.”

Jack barked a laugh. “Guess we’ll just have to wait and see if there’s a ring under the tree this year.”

“Guess you will,” I shot back, and my mind wandered to the box tucked away in my nightstand.

It wouldn’t be pulled out at Christmas, though. When I asked Sofia to marry me, it would be at the right time for us. I didn’tneed to do it on Christmas morning as if we were following the script of one of the movies they filmed in the square.

I needed to solve the mystery that still kept me up at night—quiet or not. Because contrary to what Sofia assumed, I didn’t sleep much better in the bed than I had in the chair. Every creak of the floorboards or slamming of a neighbor’s door had me bracing for battle, and I knew it wouldn’t end until we got the guy who’d had her so scared.

Tommy raised an eyebrow at me, his mouth twitching in a way that said he knew what I was waiting for. “Well, whenever it happens, I want you to know I’m good with it.”

“He’s giving you his blessing,” Jack said with mock seriousness. “That’s big.”

Nick grabbed Tommy’s shoulder and gave him a shake. “Of course he is. You guys are good for each other, and her baby brother knows it.”

I didn’t argue. She wasn’t just good for me—she was the best thing to happen to me in years. In fact, I’d do whatever it took to keep her safe and happy, even if it meant sitting here getting ribbed by my friends or pretending to enjoy the game on the TV when every part of me wanted to be by her side.

Jack leaned back in his chair, signaling tonight’s bartender for another round, while Nick drummed his fingers on the table, his gaze drifting toward the door.

“You know,” Jamie said, his tone casual but with just enough edge to draw attention, “I could’ve sworn I saw that guy earlier. What was his name? Sofia’s ex?”

I stiffened, my grip tightening around my glass. “Dane?”

“What do you mean, you thought you saw him?” Tommy asked. “When? Where?”

“Relax. I don’t think it was him,” Jamie said. “Probably just someone with the same build and that same smug look, youknow? For half a second, I was about to call one of you, but then the guy turned around, and… nope. I don’t think it was him.”

I exhaled slowly, sharing a look with Tommy. “It better not have been. I personally made sure Dane went back to Philly weeks ago, so if he’s back, he’d better have a good reason.”

“Agreed,” Tommy said, his tone firm. He and I weren’t always on the same page, but when it came to keeping Sofia safe, we were a united front.

Jamie, quiet as usual, shifted in his seat with a nod. I couldn’t help the way my gaze lingered on him, trying to read the expression on his face. Something was up with him tonight. He just wasn’t… the same.

Jack leaned forward, his voice low enough that only our table could hear. “Things are still quiet, though, right? Nothing new has happened?”

“It’s beentooquiet,” I muttered before I could stop myself. The words—and my quiet fury that this was even a thing—hung in the air.

Tommy gave me a sharp look, his brows lifting in question. I shook my head slightly, a silent message to let it go. It was just me being me. He hesitated, then gave a subtle nod, understanding my meaning without me having to spell it out.

I appreciated that about Tommy. Over the past month, we’d developed a sort of unspoken shorthand. It was good. Especially since—when the timing was right and if she said yes—he would become my brother-in-law.

Nick broke the silence, trying to lighten things up. “Well, here’s hoping the quiet lasts, yeah? I’d hate for anything to mess with the Gingerbread Ball tomorrow night. Holly’s been talking about it nonstop.”

“Grace, too, since she’s never been,” Tommy added.

“Robin asked me to wear my dress blues,” Jack said, and we all groaned.

---