Page 96 of Never Sleigh Never
“Logan?” She releases the beard, and the elastic snaps back, smacking me in the lip. I flinch. Her hands fly to her mouth. “Oh! I’m sorry!”
I pull the beard off my face and it slips from my grasp, snapping me in the chin. “Shit. That’s going to leave a mark.” I rub my jaw.
She giggles, covering her mouth. “Come here.” Together, we wrestle the elastic free.
Once off, I set the beard to the side and grab Brie’s hand, curling my fingers around hers. “What are you doing here?” she whispers.
I tug her closer until she’s between my legs, perched lightly against my knee. My arms circle her waist, holding her steady. I brush my thumb over her thigh as trepidation shines in her glossy eyes. I push past the lump in my throat. “You are my first place. After coming back to Mount Holly, spending time with you—it gave me new life. My snowflake. For once, my days didn’t feel like the same loop on repeat. You make the world less heavy. And all this”—I pull the Santa hat off and toss it onto the armrest—“none of it matters compared to you.”
Her brow furrows. “What about the carnival?”
“It’s not important,” I admit. “You are. The carnival was never my dream—it was closure. Brooke is my past. She’ll always be my past. But you…” My voice dips as I trail my hand up and down her thigh. “I want you to be my future. Josie deserves someone in her life to do all the baking, nail painting, and eventually all the boyfriend talks. I’ll need someone else to be the voice of reason; otherwise, I’ll tell her she can never date until she’s thirty. I’m sure that won’t go over well.” I blow out a breath, my gaze falling to my hand. “But I don’t want her to forget her mom either.”
Her fingertip nudges under my chin, lifting my gaze back to hers. “Logan… a part of me is terrified when you talk about a future with me. But whatever happens, I need you to know—I don’t ever want to replace Brooke. I couldn’t. That’s a bond you’ll always share with her, and same for Josie. I just want to stand beside you. Not take over.”
Fuck. She makes it so easy to fall in love with her. “Josie and I are a package deal. You’re okay with that?”
Her smile is soft and steady. “I more than adore Josie. Honestly, I think I’m getting the better end of the deal.”
Warmth cracks open in my chest, the kind I’ve been starving for. “Also, I’m willing to take this as fast or slow as you’d like, but I want to be by your side while we do it. I love you too, Brie.”
Her lips curve into a mischievous smile. “See, I said I was falling in love. I never said I was in love with you.”
I shake my head and tighten my grip around her. This is the exact reason why I adore her. “Is this what you’re going to argue about with me?”
“Yes.”
“Perfect.” I wrap my hand around the back of her neck and haul her to me, pressing my lips to hers. She breaks away, breathless. “You never answered about the carnival.”
“Not important.” I kiss her again.
“But—”
“I’m hanging up my carnival hat. The Holly Jolly Festival will be the only holiday event in Mount Holly.” I kiss her again.
She laughs against my lips. “You’re not the person I thought I wanted. You’re better. So much better.” Her whisper is so soft, I almost miss it. “Also, I may have already fallen. I love you too.”
“I know.” My grin is shameless. “Come spend Christmas with us.”
Her forehead rests against mine. “I don’t know… don’t you and Josie do a family thing? I don’t want to intrude.”
“Our family thing is sitting around in pajamas, watching movies, and arguing about which Christmas cookie is superior.” I brush a quick kiss against her mouth. “The only rule is—you have to wear Christmas-themed pajamas.”
She giggles. “All I have is this ridiculous flannel set with Santas and reindeer all over it.”
“I guarantee it won’t be more ridiculous than what I’ll be wearing.”
Her voice softens. “And Josie? She’ll be okay with me crashing?”
“She’ll be thrilled. But I’ll ask her to make it official.” Her fingertips graze my cheek, and I lean into the warmth. “I’ll call you after I talk to her.” I kiss her again, slow and lingering, until I force myself to pull back. My forehead rests on hers. “We should stop, or I’m going to lay you out on the table and repeat the first night I made you come on my tongue.”
Her breath hitches, but she rises from my lap, tugging me to my feet. “Then consider that my Christmas present.”
I smirk. “Christmas present. Day-after-Christmas present. New Year’s Eve present.”
Later in the evening, after talking to Josie, she was more than excited to invite Brie over for Christmas. So much so, she wanted to be the one to invite her. I pick up the phone and dial Brie’s number. After two rings, she answers.
“Hello again.”
