Page 59 of If You Love Me

“Yeah. And Dred and Connor Grace are here as helper elves. Callie fully believes he’s Santa, though.”

Her eyes go wide. “Oh my God. Connor’s so hot. Why didn’t you tell me they were coming?”

“I didn’t know until they showed up at the door. And Connor is way too old for you.” He may also have done something to Flip’s sandwich at some point that inspired a decade-long grudge, so I have questions, even if he’s choosing to be a nice guy today.

She rolls her eyes. “Hammer is with Hollis, and he’s twelve years older than she is.”

She has a point. And I’m over here lusting over a man a decade older than me. But I’m closing in on thirty and she’s still in high school. It’s not the same. “They weren’t dating when she was seventeen. In fact, they weren’t dating until she was almost twenty-one. That’s not the point. Just get your ass out there because Callie would like to open presents, and I’m sure you’dlike to say hi to Dred since I’m not sure how long they’re staying.”

“Give me five.” She pushes me out the door.

As promised, she joins us in the living room five minutes later, fully dressed, wearing makeup.

“Fifi, look! It’s Santa! And Dred and Connor Grace are his helper elves!” Callie is happily perched between Roman and Connor. She’s still wearing pajamas, but I stopped in my room to throw on jeans and a sweater and brush my hair—and teeth.

Fee waves and blushes.

Roman winks, and Dred gets up to give her a hug.

“Perfect! Now that everyone is here, you can open your presents!” Santaho hosas he rummages around in his red sack and passes gifts to the girls.

Fee waits for Callie to go first. She tears into the paper and squeals with absolute delight. “I’ve been looking at these gloves forever! Thank you, Santa!” She squeezes Roman’s neck.

“You’re welcome, Callie. I’m glad you like them. Every goalie needs a favorite pair of gloves.”

“These will be my lucky gloves! I just know it!”

Those gloves are unbelievably expensive. I’ve been waiting for a holiday sale so I can get them for her. She must have said something to Roman about it when we were out with the team for dessert. It’s the only way he could have known.

Fee opens her gift next. “Oh my gosh! This is a bound edition ofValiant—I can’t even.” She flips the pages. “It’s signed? To me? Oh my gosh! Thank you so much, Santa!” She rushes over to hug Roman, then stares lovingly at the book.

“And now it’s your turn, Lexi.” Santa passes me a small box.

“What’s this?”

“Santa always brings gifts for everyone, even the biggest sister.” He winks and sits back in his chair looking like he absolutely belongs here. Next year could be so different. I could be his again, and he could be mine. We wouldn’t have to sit on opposite sides of the room, or fight this painful draw.

I focus on the gift, so I don’t start crying, and tear through the paper, noting the care that went into wrapping the presents.

Inside is a gift certificate for three mani-pedis at the place Hemi always raves about. It’s thoughtful, kind, and honestly a wonderful gift, because I can treat the girls to something fun. “Thank you, Santa. This is perfect.”

I don’t waste the opportunity to show my appreciation through a hug. Roman stands, and it doesn’t matter that he’s wearing a Santa suit, my entire body responds when his arms come around me. Like I’ve just found my home. “Thank you. You have no idea how much better you’ve made today,” I whisper.

“It’s better for me, too,” he replies softly.

I release him, not wanting anyone else to pick up on the energy between us—especially because it feels very much like I’m falling for this man.

Santa and the elves finish their hot chocolate and croissants before Santa tells us he has to return to the North Pole or he’ll be late for dinner with Mrs. Claus.

Callie wrings her hands. “Do you all have to go?”

“I can stick around,” Dred offers.

“I’m off duty now, so I can hang out for a bit, too,” Connor assures her. “But I need to change out of my elf gear so Santa can take it back to the North Pole.”

Callie nods. “You should definitely get Connor a new elf suit. He’s too big for this one.”

“He had quite the growth spurt this year!” Roman claps Connor on the shoulder and tosses in anotherho ho ho.

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