Jeremy followed in her wake, pausing to whisper to Mackenzie as he passed, “I like your mom.” He dutifully sat where he was instructed, and Mackenzie shut the door and sat beside him on the loveseat.
“So.” Caroline placed her elbows on her knees and leaned forward. “How did you two meet?”
Jeremy looked at Mackenzie. “Do you want to tell the story?”
“Where do I begin? Two years ago when you started working at Limitless Designs, or when Sofiya decided to move us around like pawns in her own production of holiday office matchmaker?”
“Who’s Sofiya?” Caroline asked.
“Two years ago?” Jeremy sat up straighter. “I mean, I knew I’d probably wasted a lot of time by not being open to a relationship, but are you saying the possibility of happiness with you started two years ago?”
Mackenzie shrugged, but Jeremy thought that was more because she didn’t want to make him feel bad rather than not knowing the answer.
“I’m an idiot.” He sat back against the loveseat cushion.
“Not that you’ve told meanyof the story,” Caroline tsked, “but the important thing is you came to your senses and you’re with the best girl in the world now.”
Jeremy draped his arm across Mackenzie’s shoulders. “She is that.”
“Okay. Short version.” Caroline snapped her fingers. “Before my brain decides to leave on a lunch break and not come back for the rest of the day.”
Mackenzie popped off the loveseat. “How about you open your presents, Mom?” She strode to the table holding the gifts.
“Am I really not going to get to hear the story at all?” Caroline pouted.
Jeremy scooted forward as if he were imparting a secret. “The ending is the best part of any story, and you’re seeing it with your own eyes.”
She pursed her lips. “I’ll ignore you calling this the ending when it’s only the beginning on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“Is this ending of yours a happily-ever-after kind?”
Jeremy’s gaze tracked Mackenzie as she gathered the gifts. “Forever and always.”
30
I hold a gift for Jeremy’s family in my hands. It’s rather silly, and doubts have been plaguing me all day. I almost begged Keri to drive me to the store earlier so I could find something better. But I didn’t. Instead, every time a negative thought enters my mind—This is stupid. They’re going to think you’re just as dumb if you actually give them this.—I engage the little traffic cop in my brain. I imagine he holds up a stop sign to halt the thought from traveling the neural pathway all the way to its destination and instead direct the thought to turn down a detour. Then I force myself to say something positive—You’re sharing a fun tradition that brought you a lot of joy. They’ll appreciate the sentiment behind thegift, if nothing else. This time I imagine a little construction worker paving a new road in my brain.
Even before I have a chance to knock, the front door opens. Jeremy stands on the other side in a flannel shirt that immediately brings to mind lumberjacks, chopping wood, snuggling by a cozy fire, and maybe even getting snowed in, just the two of us.
“She’s here, Albert,” a voice announces somewhere in the house.
Okay, not just the two of us. But I can still daydream aboutJeremy even though we’re officially together, can’t I? I hope so, because I’m really not sure I’m capable of stopping.
Jeremy glances behind him, then steps outside and shuts the door. His quick movement has brought him flush against me. His arm snakes around my back to keep me in place. As if I’d go anywhere. Silly man. He brings his lips to mine and gives me a long, slow kiss that makes my head spin. I’m dizzy and blink against the stars in my eyes when he pulls back and grins down at me.
“I wanted to do that before we have an audience.”
The door opens, and a boy I can only assume is Jeremy’s nephew, Nathan, scowls at us. “What are you guys doing out here?”
Jeremy chuckles and grabs my hand. “Don’t worry. We were just coming in.”
The house is warm and festive. Evergreen boughs with little red bows wrap around the banister leading up to the second floor. A fire crackles beneath a chunky rustic mantel. Monogrammed stockings hang on hooks with nutcrackers standing sentry. A tall Christmas tree trimmed in glass ornaments and a bright star shining on top stands grand beside the fireplace. The smells coming from the kitchen make my mouth water. I feel as if I’ve been transported into a Norman Rockwell painting.
“Mackenzie, this is Nathan. Contrary to popular belief, I have taught him manners.” Jeremy pulls a reluctant Nathan under his arm and jostles him in a male sort of bonding move.
I give Nathan a warm smile. “Nice to meet you.”
