I liftedup my pants and then handed Mia a washcloth, saying, ”I'll go let everyone in.”
My heart rate was still fast as I walked to the front door, passing by over-the-top Christmas decorations.
There were lights along the ceiling, decorations hanging in the windows, and even a sixteen-foot tree in the corner of my living room surrounded with piles and piles of presents for everyone in my family.
When I opened the door Mia's parents were standing there, noses pink from the cold. Each of them gave me a hug that I'm sure would be a little less warm if they knew what I had just been doing with their daughter.
I welcomed them inside, saying, “There are hors d'oeuvres on the island and drinks in the fridge. Please help yourselves while I let the others inside.”
They thanked me and went to the island as I watched my dad come down the driveway with my brother Knox, his wife, and their two kids. They must have ridden together, and I chuckled at the thought of Dad sitting in the backseat between the two carseats. I'm sure he had the time of his life.
“Hey, y'all,” I said in greeting. “Come on in.”
One by one, my family came inside. Hayes and his girlfriend. Liv, Fletcher, and their children. Bryce, carrying a bag full of gifts.
I followed them inside, shutting the door against the winter chill.
Heels clacked over my stone floors, and I looked over to see Mia coming into the room. She looked perfect as always, cheeks kissed with pink, her dress flowing perfectly over her curves, her smile warm and welcoming as she said hello to everyone.
I paused for a moment, taking it in. As if she could feel me watching, she met my gaze across the room, giving me a small smile. That was one of my favorite things about being with her.
We often went to events where we had to work the room, and I loved catching her gaze when we were apart. She always gave me a smile like we were the only two in on a secret.
“Son,” Dad said a little loudly, looking exasperated.
“Sorry, what’s up?” I asked.
He shook his head at me. “Been trying to talk to you for a minute straight. Too busy with the heart-eyes to pay attention to your old man?”
I rolled my eyes at him. “Sorry, Dad. What’s up?”
“I was asking if you wanted to get started with presents? The kids keep asking.”
“Sure thing,” I replied. I wouldn’t let them know that I already unwrapped mine.
HAYES AND DELLA’S HOT COCOA BOMBSHELL
1
HAYES
It had beena little over two years since Della and I started dating, and all the pink on the walls was starting to rub off on me—clearly—because at that moment, she had us dressed in matching Christmas sweaters that were pink with a white, smiling snowman on the front. But only because she could find one in Chopper’s size. And because I agreed.
Don’t tell anyone this, but I kind of liked being clearly labeled as hers. I was the only one who got the title, after all.
We had worked all morning decorating the house even more for the hot cocoa bomb party we were having with our families that day. There were indoor string lights shaped like snowmen, an obnoxiously festive tablecloth on the main table, and an extra folding table in the living room. On the kitchen counters, there was a hot cocoa bomb station where Della had laid out dozens of the things with different designs and flavors. Although, she told me she couldn’t find one with mint flavoring. I was half ready to start a competing hot cocoa bomb company because it was bullshit not to include the best flavor, but now wasn’t the time to think of that.
My dad, my brothers, their wives, their kids, and Della’s parents were all coming over in just about ten minutes. Ifthe Hayes from two years ago could’ve seen this, he would’ve thought he’d gotten a lobotomy. Maybe that’s just what happens when you get married. (Just kidding.) It was more like I grew more of a brain, thanks to Della. Was that even possible?
Anyway, we also had a giant insulated jug of heated milk—and several thermoses with milk alternatives—because some people, for whatever reason, thought 2% wasn’t good enough.
Della was still wearing her Christmas apron because she wanted to make her special sourdough sugar cookies for the event. The things didn’t look like the sugar cookies you’d find at the store, but they actually tasted pretty good.
I walked over to her and gave her a hug, wrapping my arms around her curvy waist and kissing her as I fiddled with the tie to her apron. “Time to take this off. So all our guests can see our matching sweaters and tease me endlessly.”
She giggled. “Why didn’t we put the apron on this way?” she mumbled against my lips. Her tongue slid against my own lips and damn, I wanted to cancel the party and take her to the bedroom right then.
“Guess I wasn’t smart enough back then,” I mumbled as I kissed along her neck.
