Page 37 of The Wedding Planner's Manny
Carolers?
Curiously, I opened the door.
The moment I saw who stood on the other side, I knew my evening was saved.
“Rhys! I didn't know you were coming over!”
He scratched the back of his neck and gave me a sheepish smile. “I'm sorry I didn't say anything. I wasn't sure if I should come or not.”
“Oh, please, we're always happy to see you! Come on in! It's cold outside.”
“Thank you.” Rhys stepped inside and slowly took off his coat. Underneath, he wore an oversized red Christmas sweater with reindeer on it. A nice change from all the hoodies he’d been wearing lately. It was so perfectly ugly that it nearly distracted me from the bag he was carrying in his hand.
“You brought presents?” I asked, pointing to the bag when I noticed something that looked suspiciously like a gift box peeking out over the top of it.
“Well, it's Christmas Eve. Which is also why I wasn't sure if I should be visiting you. I mean, it's a family holiday and all. I only wanted to drop these off.”
“Don't be silly. You're very much part of this family's Christmas holiday.” How could he not see that?
After all he'd done. He'd decorated this whole place. Hanging tinsel and colorful lights in the kitchen and the living room. He'd helped me select our tree and decorated that as well, together with Caleb.
And then later that day, they'd made cookies together, making the whole house smell like Christmas.
The only thing hehadn'tdone was hang more mistletoe. Which was a travesty, really, because I was desperately looking for an excuse to feel his lips on mine again. Ever since he'd kissed me that day two weeks ago, I couldn't stop thinking about him. Couldn't stop wondering if the only reason he'd kissed me was the mistletoe, or if there was something more.
It hadfeltlike more. To me, anyway.
“Thank you,” Rhys said, almost shyly. “I know this holiday must be tough for you and the kids, considering all that's happened and I know I can in no way replace your ex, but I thought maybe I could help out by checking in.”
“That's very nice of you. C'mon, let's put your presents under the tree.” Without thinking about it, I grabbed his hand to lead him into the living room. He hesitated for a second, but then his fingers closed around mine. Did that mean he was liking this? Because I was. I loved the feeling of our skin touching, even if it was only our hands.
God, how I wanted it to be more than our hands...
We reached the living room far too quickly.
Sadly, Rhys had to let go of my hand as he approached the tree. “Wow, lots of presents already here!”
Sitting in a different corner of the room with their Legos, Nathan and Caleb looked up at that. “Hey, Rhys,” Nathan said with a lazy wave of his hand, while Caleb jumped up and ran to his manny.
“Rhys!” he exclaimed, giving him a hug.
“Hey, little guy. You looking forward to Santa?”
“I hate Santa,” Caleb repeated, but with less vigor than before. “Santa is stupid.”
“You don't want your presents?” Rhys quirked his head at the gift boxes under the tree. “Look how colorful they are. And those are just from your dad. Santa hasn't even added his lot yet.”
Caleb squinted at the boxes.
“There might be Lego inside,” Rhys added.
Now my little boy's eyes went wide. “Oooh.” Letting go of Rhys, he dove under the tree and grabbed one of the presents.
“You can't open them yet!” Nathan stepped in before Rhys or I could. He dragged his brother back to the Lego castle they were building in the corner. Rhys and I exchanged glances. Was Nathan actually growing up? Was that his Christmas gift to me? I sat on the couch, watching my boys. After a moment, my manny sat down next to me.
“It's nice to see them playing together,” he said, and I had the hardest time focusing on his words rather than his scent. It was nice to see my kids getting along so well, but it was difficult to think about that when Rhys was sitting so close. Smelling so good. He had this typical, alluring omega scent about him, but aside from that, he also smelled like burned caramel and gingerbread and Christmas itself. I wanted to bury my nose in his hair—and not only the hair on his head.
“Are you missing her?” Rhys asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
