Page 124 of Crazy Love

“Addy! You are the best!” One of the players holds up the drumstick, and Weston and Penn’s eyes go round.

“You didn’t,” Weston says.

“I did,” I say, laughing. “Just a little treat for my guys, playing so hard on Thanksgiving.” I grin at Penn. “And maybe there are even a few pies around here somewhere.”

Eventually, everyone makes their way into the family area, and I give the kids each a drumstick too. It looks bigger than Winnie’s head. Margo and Jeremy linger until Winnie’s sleepy, and then they take the kids back to the hotel.

Penn and I make love when we get back to the room, almost too tired to think but too hungry for each other. Always too hungry for each other.

Afterward, he leans his head against mine. “This is the best Thanksgiving I’ve ever had.”

I rub my thumb along his cheek. “Because of the win?”

“Because of you being by my side.” His hand slides down my side and his voice gets lower. “And the drumsticks didn’t hurt.”

I laugh sleepily. “Happy Thanksgiving, Mr. Hudson, aka Preacher Man, sexiest man, and cat doula extraordinaire.”

He kisses my forehead and my cheek and then a lingering kiss on my mouth. “Happy Thanksgiving, Mrs. Hudson, aka my Siren, and the love of my life.”

“God, I love you,” I tell him.

“I love you,” he whispers. “More than I ever dreamed possible. And I’m so goddamn happy about it.”

We drift off like that, wrapped around each other, sated and so completely happy, and we sleep like the dead.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

FESTIVITIES

PENN

It’s been a day of Christmas decorating at the house—something I’ve never done much of—and just like with everything else, Addy’s made it so fun.

We’ve been extremely productive.

Inside, the house is stunning. Classy and completely enchanting.

Outside, our house looks like Buddy the Elf came and worked his magic.

It’s me. I’m Buddy.

And I must say, I’m feelingpre-ttydamn good about myself.

This is a learning curve for me, but once I knew Addy and the kids wanted lights, I went all in. I don’t even know how many lights I’ve strung around the house and trees. So, so many.

And then there are the inflatables.

There’s a Santa (15 ft) sitting with his feet dangling from the roof. The sleigh and reindeer (12 ft) are behind him. A Snowman (40 ft) stands on the lawn overseeing the land. Then there’s Elsa (15 ft), Mrs. Claus (26 ft), three gingerbread men (12 ft)…and my favorite, the flamingo with a Christmas lei around her neck (40 ft) that I put out by the pool. Not to mention the inflatable candy cane arches everywhere (20 ft each).

And then…themasterpieceis the Christmas Ferris Wheel. It’s not an inflatable, it’s wooden and so stinking cute. Addy and the kids gasp when they see it and then look on in shock as I light everything up.

“What have you done?” Addy asks, eyes wide.

“Pretty damn great, right?” I ask.

“Pretty damnsomething!” she says, laughing.

“Iloveit, Daddy,” Winnie gasps dreamily.

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