Page 47 of All's Fair in Love and Christmas
Heidi lay in a hospital bed, a newborn on each arm, with Jack grinning like a fool beside her. Nate and Nat were so tiny. He remembered the first time he held them, the first time they wrapped their little fingers around his. He’d been a goner in seconds.
When Heidi died, they’d been so little. He’d had no idea what he was doing. Being a fun uncle was worlds different from being a single caregiver. More days than he’d like to admit, he’d fallen into bed too exhausted even to shower or take off his shoes before he started snoring.
The twins were older now. They didn’t need him physically quite as much, but he knew the teen years were going to bring their own reasons for exhaustion. His niece and nephew still needed him as much now as they did then. And he’d made a promise and commitment to them and to Heidi. It wouldn’t be fair to deviate from his plan or let his focus, time, or attention shift in any way.
Which was why he’d added a clause to his work plan—keep his distance from Mackenzie.
It shouldn’t be that hard. Before the promotion announcement, they’d hardly spoken to each other. He’d just have to return to the old status quo.
And ignore any ideas of hanging mistletoe around the office to catch her under. He remembered the way her lips looked earlier as they shook on their deal not to harbor any hard feelings no matter who got the promotion. They had parted slightly, almost in invitation, and he’d felt himself tilting forward. It would have been so easy to pull on her hand so she stumbled against his chest. He’d hold her close. Dip his head. Taste. Test. See if the earth would shake again the moment his mouth covered hers.
He raked his fingers through his hair, his mind catching up with his movements a second later. He held his palm out in front of his face and stared at the guilty culprit. He’d broken himself of that habit of frustration years ago. Now he’d mussed his hair twice in one morning. Control was literally slipping through his fingers.
The elevator opened its doors. Keri, Mackenzie, Frank, and Lincoln exited amid animated chatter. Their noses were red, attesting to the cold outdoors.
Jeremy met them near the kitchenette. “You guys want some hot chocolate to warm you up?”
Keri tugged at her gloves. “Do you have whipped cream to go on top?”
Like a game show announcer, he swung his arm to reveal all the toppings lined up. “I have everything I could think of that a person might want in their hot chocolate.”
Mackenzie unwrapped a scarf from around her neck. “He even has candy canes. If you mix the hot chocolate with some coffee and let a candy cane dissolve inside, I bet it would taste like a peppermint mocha.”
Keri’s eyes widened. “You’re a genius.”
Mackenzie hung her jacket on the coat rack while Frank hovered nearby, tugging on the sleeve of his own coat. “I’ve been meaning to ask you,” he said to Mackenzie as he freed anarm. “You’ve been recreating all these childhood memories for everyone else. When is it going to be ole Frank’s turn?”
Mackenzie pivoted to face him, a tight smile on her face. “What are some of your fondest memories of the holidays, Frank?”
Jeremy grabbed a mug from the cabinet. He wasn’t intentionally eavesdropping, but he couldn’t help overhearing their conversation either.
Frank rubbed his chin. “Well, it’s not a memory exactly. More something I’ve always dreamed of doing.”
“What’s that?” Mackenzie asked somewhat warily.
“I’ve always wanted to dress up as Santa Claus. Maybe for the office party. Then all you lovely ladies can sit on my lap. That would make Santa really jolly.” He hung up his coat, putting him even closer to Mackenzie.
Frank’s suggestive tone made Jeremy slam his mug on the counter. Four pairs of eyes stared at him. “My bad.” But he wasn’t sorry in the least.
Mackenzie continued to look at him long after everyone else. He read the gratitude in her eyes, and his insides warmed even without the hot beverage.
She returned her attention to Frank. “I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible. Did you have a favorite Christmas treat growing up? Reindeer chow or peppermint bark or chocolate fudge, maybe? I can make you something like that.”
Frank considered her. “Can you make a caramel slice? My grandmother used to make them every year, and I haven’t had one since she passed.”
Mackenzie’s face softened. “I’m sure I can. I’ll just need to find a recipe.”
Keri sidled up to Jeremy. “I’m surprised he didn’t ask her to put up mistletoe and then manage to steal a kiss from every woman in the office.” Disgust dripped from her words.
Jeremy hid his face behind his mug. Keri was astute enough toread the guilt there if she looked. His own thoughts of mistletoe rang in his head.
She peered up at him, cast her gaze toward Mackenzie, then looked at him again. Her lips curled. “Then again, maybe a small, discreet mistletoe bundle, one that only a few people knew the location of, wouldn’t be such a bad thing.”
Jeremy choked on a sip of chocolate.
Keri patted his arm. “Easy there, tiger. Someone might suspect you’re flustered for some reason.”
Jeremy swallowed, then licked his lips. “And what reason would that be?” He met her challenging gaze with one of his own.
