Page 65 of All We Need

We glance atMartinWillis, sitting silently in the corner.

“Yeah,Ididn’t think so.”Wigglingher shoulders, she settles back. “Shewasn’t whatIwas expecting.”

“How so?”

“Well, she wasn’t a dragon-witch, like you described.Sheseemed nice, in an intimidating, big sister way.Iwas ready to give her an earful, until she acted like she enjoyed it.”Sheleans in, whispering, “Shescared me, and yetIwanted to make friendship bracelets with her.She’sfull of surprises.”

Snorting,IsnatchHarry’sglass of eggnog out of her hand and take a large swig.

“That’s one way to describe her,”Imumble.

I’m still aching from the last round of whiplashAlyinflicted.

Whenever we’re together, she surprises me.Isshe going to be sweet, where she laughs freely and smiles openly?Orwill she be sharp and commandeering with her explosive confidence?

The guessing game is rousing.

WhatIknow is that she’s probably halfway home by now after that display in the yard.

Bringing the rim of the glass to my lips,Islowly sip the smooth nutmeg beverage, muscles relaxing.

ThenAlymaterializes, and every nerve ending goes on high alert.

When she spots me, she winks.

Winking ismything.

Good lord, she’sUnoreversed me.

With swaying hips, bouncing curls, and a killer smile, she saunters into the room.

“Do you want me to say something at your funeral?”Harrysnickers. “Becauseyou are toast, my friend.”

Gulping,IwatchAly’sface soften.Shegracefully lowers to her knees next toLottieplaying with her dolls, and offers out a hand.

My niece pauses, eyeing the manicured hand before slipping her smaller one into it.

Everyone grows quiet.

“Lottie, right?”Aly’svoice is gentle and kind.

“Uh-huh.”Lottienods. “Andyou’re theScaryBossLady.That’swhatJoJocalls you.”

“Oh, kill me now,”Johisses and buries her face inPatrick’sshoulder.

Aly smirks in amusement, then pulls out a neatly wrapped gift from the bag in her other hand.

“According to everyone aroundOurPlace,you’retheBossLady.”Slidingthe gift across the rug, she smiles. “MerryChristmas,Lottie.”

Lottie gasps, then ravages at the paper with the force of ten hungry hyenas.Shesqueals and runs over toPatrickandJo. “Look!Look!Ican bossUncleBooaround in the kitchen.”

My head swivels. “Comeagain?”

Grinning proudly,Lottieskips my way and shoves her gift in my face.

Black and white checked pants, crisp white jacket, and a matching hat.Notforgetting the plastic spatula and knife set.

I’m silent before hooting with laughter. “Achef’s outfit?”

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