“You didn’t take it,” he repeated, voice shaking with disbelief. “You didn’t just leave it with my grandfather for a rainy day, did you? Because I need to hear you say it, Spells.”
I huffed out a shuddering breath. “Oh, I bet he would have loved that. He’s terrifying. My knees were shaking.”
“He’s a true villain.” His eyes searched mine again, his thumbs brushing away the wetness near my lashes. “Spells… you’re killing me.”
“Just leaving you in peak suspense. I’m only getting one of these cinematic rom-com confessions.”
“Spells—” His voice was a growl now, low enough to undo me.
“I just asked myself—what would Grant Delaney do?” I pressed my finger lightly against his chest. “He’d turn a problem into a fundraiser. So I donated the key to the agency’s annual New Year’s auction—for the penguins.”
His brow arched. “Lucky penguins.”
I shook my head. “Lucky me.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck, nudging him with my hips until he walked backward and bumped the edge of my desk. The tiny ornaments on my potted palm rattled.
“You see, I snagged myself a handsome husband with great hands, who makes me laugh so hard I can’t breathe.” I tugged sharply on the lapels of his jacket. “He makes me singJingle Bellsbefore we kiss, and he has a secret soft spot for animal adoption commercials.“ I rose onto my toes, brushingmy lips against the V of skin between his shirt collar. “I have my own list, too, you know.”
With a choked groan, Grant’s hands found my waist. He spun me around and lifted me onto the desk.
“Yeah?”
“Oh, yeah. I made it when I was sixteen. It’s ridiculous, but somehow, you check every box.” I smoothed my palms up his chest, stopping when I reached his heart. “I love you, Grant Delaney—and you’re stuck with me for another year.”
“Another year?” His mouth captured mine, his fingers threading through my hair, loosening the messy knot. But I was already unraveling, melting as he deepened the kiss.
When we broke apart, breathless and searching for more, he caught my hands against his chest, pressing them flat over his heartbeat. “Fifty years won’t be enough for how much I love you.”
“Hmm…” A slow smile spread across my face. “Are we negotiating terms? Because there are a few vows I’d like to go over.”
He caught my hands tighter. “The whole love, honor, and cherish thing? I have big plans for those.”
“No. Thecooking me breakfast foreverline. I think it’s right next toobey.”
His eyes narrowed with amusement. “Weird, I’ve never heard that one. Sounds like it would fit better next toin sickness and in health—my sickness and my health, if I ever let you back in the kitchen before I show you how to scramble an egg.”
“Oh!” I wrapped my ankles around the backs of his legs. “Can you teach me how to catch a pancake on the edge of the spatula?”
His gaze dipped to my mouth. “It would be an honor, Mrs. Delaney.”
“Then let’s start there.”
His mouth found mine again, sealing the strangest vows that had ever made their way to the altar.
“Merry Christmas, Spells,” he whispered against my lips.
“Oh, you haven’t seen anything yet, husband. We still have to visit your family tomorrow.”
He dropped his head into the crook of my neck with a painful sigh. “Haven’t we suffered enough?”
“Trust me. We won’t be the ones suffering. I told your grandfather I wanted to start a new tradition.”
He lifted his head, suspicion furrowing his brow. “And which one is that?”
“The one where we sing them carols.” I winked. “I hope they bring earplugs.”
Grant threw back his head and laughed. “Best. Christmas. Ever.”
