Page 110 of Sharing Shadow Secrets
“Now I won’t be stuck standing in the snow,” Brandon says, already slipping the key into his wallet.
It’s a simple gift, but it symbolizes so much. We share each other, our places, everything.
“High Fivers,” Aaron’s voice says into a microphone carrying through the bar’s speakers. “It’s that time again … to tell Santa what you would like for Christmas. And this year he’s joined by his very own Mrs. Claus.”
I let out a delighted squeal as Nicholas and Emily step into view. Nicholas is in his Santa suit again, now with a full beard to match, and Emily looks like a vintage Christmas dream in a floor-length red dress trimmed in white fluff, cinched with a wide black belt.
Aaron hands off the mic to Nicholas, who strokes his beard dramatically. “We have an exciting announcement from the North Pole,” he says, glancing at Emily.
She places a hand on her belly, then turns slightly to reveal a small but unmistakable bump.
“This miracle …” Nicholas’s voice cracks. “We thought we’d be making this announcement months ago. But now …” He looks at Emily, eyes wet. “We’re thrilled to share that baby Noel will be joining us in early June.”
The bar erupts in cheers and applause while I blink back tears, smiling through the joy that fills the room.
I glance over at Heidi—thank God she got it all on video. This will be great for social media, plus for Nicholas and Emily to have as a memory.
From across the bar, Patrick raises his glass toward us before taking a long sip. Emily’s friends, Sarah and Rachel, rush to her side, all hugs and squeals.
Beside me, Kyle leans his head on my shoulder. I turn into him instinctively, tucking my cheek into his black hair.
“No impregnating Taylor,” Kyle says, still leaning against me.
“For at least three years,” I add with a laugh.
Brandon rubs his eyes like he’s embarrassed with us. Kyle and I do it all the time now. Saying little things that make him squirm because Brandon’s so cute when he’s embarrassed.
“What?” I ask, not understanding this new expression on Brandon’s face.
“I think my gift might be … inappropriate right now,” he says with a half-smile.
“Did you get us matching butt plugs?” Kyle deadpans, lifting his cheek from my shoulder.
Brandon blushes. “No,” he mutters. But he’s grinning too.
I raise a brow. “Everyone’s distracted …”
He slides the silver, metallic gift bag toward me, and the Christmas-tree–patterned one toward Kyle.
I reach into mine and pull out a glittering Eiffel Tower keychain with a printed faux boarding pass attached.
My breath catches reading it.
Kyle and Brandon take Taylor to Paris for Christmas.
I look up. “Wait. Yeah?”
Their hands settle on my thighs—Kyle’s on my right, Brandon’s on my left—and I feel the electricity hum through all three of us. We’ve had one night where all three of us have been together since Halloween, but it was softer, deeper. Tamecompared to our first night together. This moment feels like something new again.
“Are we really going to Paris?” I whisper.
Brandon nods. “Whenever you can get away. But we were hoping to be there for Christmas.”
A spark lights up in my chest. Christmas in Paris. My busiest clients slow down then, and I’ll be onboarding three new clients in January. So it will be the perfect time to get away.
“I can make it work,” I say, beaming.
Kyle kisses my cheek. Brandon presses his lips to my neck. I feel like I’m suspended in a moment that belongs only to us. And absolutely not giving a fuck that two men’s lips are on me in public.
