Page 56 of Because You Loved Me

A moment later, Grady and Meri appeared with a big red sack.

“The kids are going to act as helpers this year since this first game is more suited to the adults.”

“A game?” Lucy clapped her hands together like a child. “Fun.”

“I hope so.” Annie looked pleased, but behind her, Noa heard Asher groan.

She twisted her neck around. “You’re not a fan of games?”

“He hateslosinggames,” Charli told her with a wink.

Asher bent down and whispered in Noa’s ear. “I can’t help it. I don’t like to lose.”

The scent of him filled her senses, and Noa had to remind herself that they were surrounded by his family and she couldn’t kiss him the way she wanted to.

“Put your team uniform on.” Annie was explaining the rules from the front of the room. “And since we have an uneven number, maybe Charli can sit out and Kat can take her place? Is that okay, Charli? Some of the activities might be a bit physical for you this year, but I didn’t want to assume…”

“That’s fine.” Charli held up a hand. “I’m happy to let Kat be on team…” She reached into the bag Grady held out to her and pulled out a set of antlers. “Team Reindeer!”

Charli handed a set of antlers to Kat, who agreed to the team switch-up and went to stand with Symon.

Next, the kids moved to Craig and Lucy, who pulled out Santa hats. “I think you make a very cute Mrs. Claus.” Craig put the hat on his fiancée before kissing her.

The kids cried out in protest, and everyone laughed before Meri took the bag over to Noa to choose their team uniform.

She reached in and grabbed a set of headbands with green hats and oversized elf ears.

“Looks like we’re Team Elf.” She slid the headband on Asher’s head before donning her own.

“You make those ears look damn good.” He wiggled his eyebrows and gave her a quick kiss while everyone was focused on Annie and Chase, who were putting on their team costumes of black top hats and carrot noses.

“That was cheeky,” she whispered when Asher pulled away.

“Sorry. I couldn’t resist,” he said under his breath. “Besides, no one saw.”

But when Noa straightened up and faced the front of the room again, she didn’t miss the grin on Kat’s face, or the wink the other woman gave her.

* * *

The games turned out to be an elaborate and completely chaotic obstacle course of sorts that had the four couples racing through the house. First up wasRudolph and the Sleigh. An event where the men were to drag their female partners on a blanket through the great hall, into the kitchen where they rounded the island, and then made their way back to the front door.

After that, they moved on to theWrapping Station. The goal was for one person to wrap a gift while blindfolded, using only the instructions from their partner.

Once the present was wrapped, it was time toDeliver the Gifts.In the pool room, they raced to find floating rings in the middle of the pool. They took turns tossing small balls through the rings while Grady kept count. Once the team successfully delivered four gifts, they raced into the kitchen and the last station.

Claus’s Cookiesinvolved assembling a small gingerbread house before decorating three sugar cookies. The first team to finish was the winner.

It didn’t take long for the competitive spirit of the Carlson family to shine bright. It was true that Asher hated to lose, but he wasn’t alone in that. Chase and Craig were equally competitive Carlson family members, and as a former Olympic skier, Symon didn’t know any other way.

The house filled with shrieks of laughter as the men ran full speed down the polished wood floor and swung their “sleighs” around the kitchen island. Chase took an early lead and was the first to cross the finish line. He grabbed Annie and together they sprinted to the study to begin wrapping.

Asher slid across the line shortly after Chase, followed by Symon and Craig. Asher all but picked Noa up and threw her over his shoulder in order to beat the others to their station for wrapping.

“You do the wrapping,” Noa instructed. “I’ve got this.” She tied the blindfold tightly at the back of his head. “Listen carefully to my voice.” Her fingers lingered at the back of his neck.

He reached up and grabbed her hand, squeezing it before she guided his hands to the wrapping paper in front of him.

“Asher.”

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