Page 58 of Tinsel in Telluride

In my periphery, I peek at Leigh sitting curled on the couch, worried that another moment like this might be too much for her. I fully expect her to be watching her son’s first twerking experience, but instead her eyes are locked on me.

Interesting.

I lift a hand and wiggle my fingers at her, letting her know she’s been caught.

Of course, she snaps her gaze back to the game on the TV, but that doesn’t stop the pretty pink hue tinting her cheeks or the knowing smile that tips her lips.

It’s right then, I decide to make it my life’s mission to keep it there. I want her smiling and giggling every day, because that woman deserves every ounce of happiness.

And maybe a dash of sexy embarrassment too.

The night continues on in a blissful blur.

Zach continues to “help” me decorate the tree while Leigh snuggles on the couch between Bash and Enzo as they watch Holt’s team attempt a Hail Mary comeback in the third period. The way she curls up with her knees to her chest and takes the spiked hot chocolate Bash offers, she looks like she belongs there. Like we’ve all been friends for years. You’d never know she just met them, or that she hates me.

The game ends with Holt’s team winning in overtime, which only serves to bolster the mood in the room. Bash and Enzo drunkenly dance around as they hang the dick snowflakes around the room, changing the lyrics from a popular Christmas song towalkin’ round in women’s underwear.Holt hangs the stockings over the fireplace, adding the two I ordered from a store in town for Zach and Leigh.

Still curled on the couch with a lazy smile, Leigh’s eyes bounce between the guys and Zack, who is playing with the bucket of tinsel and ornaments at my feet.

“Hey Baby Momma, why don’t you help Holt and I hang this mistletoe?”

“Bash,” I growl, knowing damn well he’s asking to get a rise out of me.

Leigh offers him an all too sweet smile. “As fun as it sounds to be sandwiched between the two of you under the mistletoe, Christmas isn’t really my thing. I’m happy to supervise, though.”

“What?” Holt and Bash gasp at the same time.

“Why’s that?” Enzo asks, and I step out from behind the tree, pinning a glare in his direction.

Leigh’s gaze lands on me, and I reassure her. “You don’t have to tell us anything,”

“No, it’s fine,” she says, but the way she twists her hands in her lap reveals just how uncomfortable she is. “It’s because Christmas was my parents' favorite holiday. After they died, itsort of just lost the magic for me. I’ve been trying to find it again for Zach’s sake, but it’s been difficult.”

Fuck.

And here I’ve been shoving the holiday down her throat.

A chorus of “shits” and “I’m sorrys” echo from my friends, but all I can do is watch my girl.

She smiles and I watch as she does the same thing she did today after her panic attack. She pushes the feelings deep down for the sake of those around her.

“This is actually the first time I’ve enjoyed holiday festivities,” she admits, bringing joy back into the equation.

Bash crosses the room and plops down next to her on the couch, draping an arm over her shoulder. “Bucket List Christmas has that effect on people.”

“I’d like to say it’s us,” Holt adds, “but Jack created something special that first Christmas.”

“It’s infectious,” Enzo chimes in.

“It really is.” She gives a cursory glance around the room, stopping on Bash, then Enzo, and Holt. Finally, she ends with heartfelt eyes on me. “Thank you for letting me be a part of it.”

My heart races hard and steady against my chest.

She’s thanking me.

Not my friends.

Me.

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