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“Jules!” I wrap my arms around my friend and grin at her ridiculously hot husband. I no longer feel guilty for thinking that Nate McKenna is hot. It’s just common knowledge among the family that the Montgomerys, and their spouses, are stupidly attractive.
“You know each other?” Reed asks.
“Yes,” Jules says and nods. “It’s all by marriage, and confusing, but we know Noel well. How are you?”
“I’m great, thank you. How are you guys? How’s Stella?”
“Our daughter is growing up too fast,” Nate says. His hand rests protectively on Jules’ waist. At well over six and a half feet tall, with broad shoulders and muscles for days, no one ever messes with Nate.
“She’s getting big,” Jules says and then turns her attention to Reed. “And I hear congratulations are in order for you. How is your little one?”
“Piper’s great. She’s with an overnight sitter for the first time since she came to live with me, and so far, I haven’t received any SOS calls, so I consider that a win.”
We all chuckle, and then Reed and Nate step aside to talk about business, and Jules leans in. I know this is going to be fun girl-talk.
“Tell me what’s happening,” she says.
I’ve quickly learned that Jules doesn’t pull punches. She’s also incredibly fun, sweet, and someone you want for a friend.
“It’s brand new,” I reply. “He hired me to decorate his house for Christmas since this is his first year with Piper, and now we’re suddenly dating. I don’t usually date clients, so I’m hesitant, but…the chemistry’s there, you know?”
“Oh, I know all too well,” she says, flashing a smile. “Nate and I used to work at the same firm. That’s how we met. We had a no-fraternization policy, and we fought it for a long time, but you can’t choose who you’re meant for, you know? I was fired from the job, and then Nate quit, and we started our own company. We work with Reed and Elijah quite a bit, so when they invited us to come tonight, we were happy to be here. And now I’m extra happy we came because I got to see you, and I don’t think I know you well enough yet.”
“Well, we’re not technically related at all, even by marriage,” I remind her. “My sister’s married to your cousin’s brother.”
“Family’s family,” she says, shrugging one shoulder. “That’s just how it is. It’s not always blood. Also, there will probably be a Christmas girls’ night out happening soon. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Thanks.”
“Ladies,” Reed says as he passes me a fresh glass of champagne, “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I need to steal my date away.”
“Have fun,” Jules says, a smile on her face as she turns to Nate. “I think you should dance with me.”
“My pleasure,” Nate says.
“We have friends in common,” I say with a smile as Reed leads me to a table. “I like that.”
“I do, too,” he says and kisses my hand, then holds out a chair for me at the table marked reserved. “I’d like to introduce you to Elijah, my partner.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” I say as I reach over to shake Elijah’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” he says and then shifts his gaze to Reed. “I, on the other hand, know very little about you.”
“I hired Noel to decorate my house for the holidays,” Reed says. “And the rest is none of your business.”
“I’m Becca.” A pretty blonde woman holds out her hand for mine. “I’m Reed’s assistant. And this is my boyfriend, Lon.”
“Nice to meet you both.”
“I didn’t know you had a boyfriend,” Reed says brightly and shakes Lon’s hand.
“Now you do.” Becca grins in return. “Reed’s a slave-driver, but he’s fair, and I love working for him. So he’s stuck with me.”
“I wouldn’t remember much without Becca,” Reed admits.
“I totally get it, I’m the same way with my assistant. And finding a good one isn’t easy, so I’m glad you found a good fit with each other.”
The conversation swirls around us, and I soak it all in. Elijah’s here alone because he doesn’t date much, and his assistant isn’t here at all, which doesn’t please him.
Clients dance and mingle.
The food is amazing.
The atmosphere is joyful.
I like Reed’s colleagues and friends very much.
I wonder what would happen if I didn’t? Would I decide not to see him anymore? Maybe.
“You’re thinking way too hard,” Reed says, for my ears only. His arm rests on the back of my chair, and he leans in to whisper in my ear. “In twenty minutes, we can leave.”
“That will only be an hour that we’ve been here.”
“Plenty of time,” he insists. “Piper’s staying with Elijah’s mom tonight, and I finally get you all to myself. I’d like to sling you over my shoulder and go right now, but that might be frowned upon.”
