Page 113 of Holiday Hopefuls
My own smile mirrors his. “Right.”
“She told us what happened at Aspen Point—most of which we already knew, but I think it helped her to talk through it—and we were talking about where she thinks they’ll go from here when you got back.”
I nod, taking everything in. “She definitely seems more at ease now. Thank you for that.”
Ian shrugs. “Of course, man. Anytime.”
Narrowing my eyes, I take in Ian Fairchild. Tall, fit, a neatly trimmed beard. Nice, casual clothes that says he cares about how he presents himself, but doesn’t take himself too seriously outside of working hours. And on top of it all, he seems like a genuinely decent guy. No wonder Callie and my sister hang around him. Speaking of which … “I’m, um, kinda surprised you didn’t go with Blythe.”
Frowning, his brows knit together. “To Mexico?”
“Unless she went somewhere else I don’t know about, yes.”
“Why would I go with her on her trip?”
Palming the back of my neck, I do my best to word this delicately. “Because I thought you two were, well, together. Especially at Callie’s school that night.”
His frown deepens. “We’re friends who hang out a lot because we live in the same building and have Callie as a mutual friend.” He shrugs. “I mean, she’s amazing. But Blythe and I are just friends. Come on,” he claps me on the shoulder, “Callie’s got a nose for secret conversations.”
As we head back out into the living room, my love sits squarely in the middle of the couch wrapped in no less than two blankets, a fresh cup of hot cocoa in one hand while the other pets a resting Nacho. Upon our entrance, she beams up at me.
“Are you trying to steal my dog?” I ask, grinning like an idiot as I round the furniture to sit beside her.
Ian follows suit, reclaiming his spot in the single chair.
Callie glances down at Nacho, whose head is nestled up against her leg. “What can I say? The heart wants what the heart wants.”
Placing my hand on her leg not currently occupied by our dog, my eyes search hers. “How are you?”
She swallows, nodding. “Better.”
“Good. Have you eaten?”
“Nope,” she says, shaking her head, “I was waiting for you.”
Aaron perks up from his spot on the floor. “We did offer to order pizza and have it waiting for you, but she wanted to wait until you got back.” He absently rubs Nacho’s butt, earning him her eternal love and devotion.
Looking between the brothers and back to my love, I can’t help but smile when our eyes meet. “Sounds great to me.”
Ian pulls out his phone. “I’ll put in the order.”
As he does, I can’t help but take in the comical image of Aaron on the floor, rubbing Nacho with one hand while the other grabs the TV remote. He’s a big guy. Despite having seen him all of two times, I’d forgotten his immense size.
Picturing him with Connie is actually a bit comical.
But no matter how much this guy adores my girlfriend, there’s no way he can be comfortable down there, regardless of how fluffy that rug may be. I get the feeling this isn’t the first time the poor guy has had to sit on the floor here. And given his importance to Callie, I highly doubt it’ll be the last.
Leaning in toward Callie, I whisper, “My love, remind me to buy you another chair.
“That wasthe last one for the day, Dr. Rhodes.” Mrs. Lanahan peeks up at me from behind her new glasses. Apparently, her prescription read ‘whatever glass used to be a Coke bottle.’
Shoving a paper into the Collins’ file, I tap it on the desk twice to ensure no fallout before handing it over. “Great.” It’sonly eleven, since the practice only opens for half days between Christmas and New Year. But being away from my girls makes this half day feel like forever.
Especially when I know they’re both cuddled up in bed watching movies without me.
“I trust you had a good holiday?” The woman is fishing. Worse, she’s not even being sneaky about it.
“Why do I get the feeling that’s not really what you’re asking?”
