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That made me laugh. "Reese, we’re grown-ups. There is no 'catching' us."
"I always feel I'm doing something wrong when I'm under a parent's roof or my aunt and uncle's."
"Fine," I said, kissing the back of her head, then her temple, and then tugging at the lobe of her ear. I could never stop when it came to Reese. I always needed more. "We'll be on our best behavior."
Dora had Dad ready to go just as we finished the dishes, and we piled into our respective vehicles. We arrived at Navy Pier half an hour later. I parked first, then waited for Dora and Dad. She didn't need much help getting Dad out, as the car did most of the heavy lifting.
Reese went straight to him once he was settled. "They've got a lot of amazing things. You're going to enjoy it, and so am I."
Dad looked up at her with a smile. I hadn't seen him this happy in a long time. But that was the effect Reese had on people. She had an inner warmth and joy and goodness that spread around without her even trying.
I couldn't understand how Malcolm never appreciated her. How could anyone have this woman by their side and not be madly in love?
That was the exact moment that I knew. Here, in the dim parking lot, watching Dad and Reese laugh together, I knew I loved her.
And I’d never ever feel about anyone else the way I felt about Reese.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Reese
Light up the Lake instantly became one of my new favorite Christmas activities to do. Theodore glanced around, curiosity etched on his features. I was so glad I could make him happy.
The pier was packed, which wasn't a surprise. The hall was large enough that it wasn't claustrophobic, and the high ceiling gave the impression of being in the open air. I was grateful to be indoors; I didn't miss the cold at all, or the icy wind.
My eyes needed a few seconds to adjust to the multitude of lights as we went through a tunnel of golden illumination. Dora was pushing Theodore's wheelchair, and they both looked around curiously.
"You’re a witch," Dom said in my ear.
"Huh?" I asked, turning to him.
"I'm telling you, you've put a spell on my father."
"Because I convinced him to go out?"
"He likes you. And Dad doesn't like anyone. Trust me."
"He likes Dora."
"She's his fifteenth caretaker in the span of three years."
I winced. "Wow. Okay."
My phone beeped in my pocket. I took it out and pouted. “Oh no.”
Dom frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“I didn’t win the tree.”
“I'm going to need more details.”
“So, every year, I hunt for a huge-ass Christmas tree for my living room. There aren’t many of them, so there's literally a waitlist. They pick someone randomly from the list, and I didn’t get it.”
“I’m sorry, Reese.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’ll buy one that’s huge anyway—just not that huge.”
“When do you put your tree up?”
