Page 96 of Surprised By Love

“Pfft. Whatever.” Jess waves a hand in front of her face. “Don’t believe a word she says. She’s just jealous.”

“If you say so.” Sam rolls her eyes. “You would not believe the number of times we had to go get her in the middle of the night so Gram wouldn’t know she was out way past curfew.”

Sam and Jess remind me so much of Lucas and Savannah. I wish Savvy could have come home for Christmas. I would love to introduce her to Sam and Amelia, but she’s busy with her schooling, her job, and her new boyfriend.

“Come on, you guys, it’s time for the elephant gift exchange.” Becca comes in and announces.

We head into the living room, and I take a seat, pulling Sam down beside me.

Vicki grabs a bag from under the tree and passes a gift to each of the kids. We watch as they open the gifts; they thank Vicki and rush off to Amelia’s room to play while the adults do their gift exchange.

“The first gift goes to Sam. We are so happy to have you back. It’s been way too long since we shared a Christmas with you.” Becca hugs Sam and passes her a gift. I can see Sam’s eyes gloss over as she hugs her sister. Having a big family, I couldn’t imagine not being home for Christmas in seven years.

Sam opens the gift and finds a gift card for the local bookstore and a pair of socks. On the sole of one sock, it says DO NOT DISTURB and the other one says I’M READING. She laughs. “I love this.”

I love hearing her laugh and seeing her happy. Nobody better snatch her gift. Vicki passes me the next gift, a collapsible silicone travel mug. I decide to keep my gift and not swap it with Sam’s.

Becca gets the next gift. It’s a movie night popcorn kit, and she swaps it with my travel mug. “Since you have epic movie nights,” she says, and winks at me. Damn. Do these sisters tell each other everything?

This continues until everyone has a gift. Sam is still in possession of the gift card and socks, and I still have the movie night kit.

The funniest gift was a toilet night light my dad got stuck with. Although my mom says it’s the perfect gift for him, maybe now he won’t stub his toe and curse out loud in the middle of the night anymore.

Vicki stands and announces, “Okay, time to vote for the ugliest sweater. There are slips of paper in the kitchen on the island. One by one, go in there and cast your vote. Fold the paper, toss it into the tiny garbage can pencil holder.”

One by one, we cast our vote. I don’t know what the winner of the ugliest sweater will get, but I bet the ugliest one is Sam’s. Her sweater has garland and bulbs all over it and the worst part, or best if you like ugly Christmas sweaters, is that it lights up.

Once all the votes are in, Vicki grabs the mini trash can and brings it to the living room.

She stands in front of the roaring fireplace. “I want to say thank you to all of you for joining us tonight and making this the best Ugly Christmas Sweater party we have had in many years. I’m so grateful our Sammy is home with us, but also, I’m so happy to see a smile on her face that we haven’t seen in a long time.”

I can’t help it. I smile back and lean in, placing a soft kiss on Sam’s temple.

Vicki reaches into the trash can and starts reading the names. Jessica has a white board she keeps the tally on.

“It looks like we have a winner by a long shot… Congrats, Sammie!!” The room fills with clapping and laughter. Sam stands and walks over to Vicki and hugs her. Jess and Becca join in for a group hug. It’s a sight to see, and it makes me miss Ryan and Savvy even more than usual. There it is again, the tug in my chest, the one I’ve been feeling since the night of the tree lighting.

Sam

Josh’s hand doesn’t leave my thigh for the entire five-minute drive to his place.

We are both quiet, but the sexual tension in the car is palatable.

It’s been over a week since we’ve had any alone time, so when Vicki offered to watch the kids for the night we didn’t think twice.

I can tell he’s as hungry for me as I’m for him. Every time he turns his head in my direction, he squeezes my thigh, and his eyes get darker and darker.

By the time we arrive at his place, his normally bright blue eyes are a deep blue.

I’m not even sure he gets the car in park when he’s jumping from his seat.

I barely get my seat belt off when he swings my door open and grabs my hand.

He pulls me behind him, and I run to keep up with his long strides as we make our way to his front door.

The minute he gets the door open, he yanks me inside. His lips are on mine in a desperate kiss as he kicks the door shut behind us.

Craving this man, I part my lips for him and let him inside. I don’t recall the last time I’ve wanted something so much, if I ever have. Being with Josh is more than I ever knew possible.

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