Page 118 of When You Were Mine

“You did all this for me. I can’t believe it.”

“Yeah, well, get used to it. This is your life now.” He tipped his chin to the gift. “Go on.”

She pulled off her other heel and gave him her back. “First, unzip me.”

He did as she asked and then helped her peel it off her banging body.

In her bra and panties, she tore off the paper and pulled off the top of the box. “Are you serious?” She held up the flannel pajamas with a puffin design. “I wanted these so badly.” Her smile lit up the room. “I had no idea you got them for me.”

After unbuckling his belt, he hung his slacks on a hanger. “Yep. And next Christmas, we’ll get onesies for everyone in our families.”

She laughed as she stepped into the bottoms and pulled the top over her head. “These are so comfy.”

His suitcase of clothes was still in Iceland and wouldn’t be shipped until after the holidays, so he only had the pajama bottoms and Henley he’d bought that night in Reykjavik. He slipped those on before handing her another box. “This one next.”

Her eyes lit up in pure delight when she saw the suede and shearling slippers. “You did not.” He’d just sat down beside her, so when she lunged at him, she tackled him onto his back. “I can’t believe this. Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I don’t have anything for you.”

“You still don’t get it. You’re all I want. Elzy, with you, I have everything.”

“It’s perfect.” Amber stood beside her in the dining room as they watched their guests enjoy a fabulous New Year’s Eve dinner.

“It really is.”

“I love you, Jess.” Out of nowhere, her sister hugged her. “You’re the best person I know.”

Startled, she held her close. “Where did that come from?”

Amber pulled away, cheeks flushed with emotion. “Seeing you so happy with Trevor… It’s just…I’m the reason you guys broke up, and it makes me feel so much better knowing you found your way back together.”

“What? That’s not true at all.”

“And that’s why I never brought it up. Because I knew you’d say that. But you would’ve gone to Scotland with him if I hadn’t gotten pregnant, and as unfair as it was to you, I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t come home. I didn’t appreciate your sacrifice until Bri went to kindergarten, and I heard stories from other single moms. Up until then, I took you for granted. Of course, you’d watch my baby while I was in school. Of course, you’d give up your entire life to make sure I had the best future possible.”

“I have no regrets about that. Not one. If I hadn’t come home, we wouldn’t be the strong family we are today.”

“I agree, and that’s why I love and admire you so much. You showed me through your actions what family meant. I learned my values and priorities from you.” She teared up. “It could’ve turned out very differently for me. I’m just so damn lucky to have you as my sister.”

A fierce sense of love came over her. “It couldn’t have turned out any other way. There was no other choice but for me to come home. But even if I hadn’t, you’d have figured it out. That’s the woman you are. Once you held Bri in your arms, you got it. You truly became a mom. You did it yourself.”

“All right, ladies,” Lars said as he approached. “I don’t know why you’re crying in the middle of the most expensive dinner some of our guests have ever had, but it’s not a good look.”

They both burst out laughing and fell into each other’s arms. “I love you,” Amber said.

“I love you more.”

And then Lars grinned and shook his head. “Okay, now, you’re really drawing attention to yourselves. Come on. It’s time to get into our swimsuits.”

The sisters pulled apart. “Hang on,” Amber said. “I’m part owner of this place. I organize the events. I don’t actually have todothe polar plunge, right?”

Trevor joined them. “Oh, hell yes.” He wrapped his arms around Jess’s waist and pulled her against his chest. “We lead by example.”

“Cool. Are you going to wear a kilt?” Amber teased.

“Nope. I’ve met my obligations, and now, I’m a free man.” Trevor reached for her hand and kissed her knuckles. “I’m retiring it.”

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