Instead, he spins me around, hands firm at my waist, and kisses me. It’s unhurried and deep, the kind of kiss that steals your balance and gives it back different.
I make a small sound I don’t mean to make, something soft and honest that he pulls from me without effort.
I can never resist them.
The door bangs open before the moment can tip into anything more, and the sound of boots on hardwood explodes through the house.
“Norah,” a small voice yells.
Maisie comes barreling in like a force of nature, curls bouncing, cheeks pink from cold and excitement, her glasses almost sliding down her nose.
Rufus skids in behind her, nails clicking, tail wagging so hard his whole body sways. Amber follows, laughing, scarf half undone, Jude right behind her with his broken nose still faintly bruised but his smile wide and unguarded.
They spent the whole day at the town square to see the town Santa, who everyone knows is just Mayor Brighton in costume.
“Hey,” I say, dropping to my knees just in time to catch Maisie as she launches herself at me.
She shoves a paper bag into my hands. “Cookies,” she announces proudly. “For you.”
My chest tightens in the best way. “Thank you,” I tell her, kissing the top of her head. “These are perfect.”
Jude leans down and kisses my cheek, quick and familiar, and I feel my face warm in response. Amber squeezes my shoulder, eyes bright.
“Santa was very convincing,” Jude says. “I think Rufus believed him.”
Rufus huffs like he might argue the point.
“Are you ready to go?” Amber asks.
“Almost there,” I say, laughing. “Dinner’s almost done. We can all come back here and eat after.”
“Sounds wonderful.” Ryker smiles. “We need the strength. Tomorrow we’re going Christmas tree shopping.”
“Tomorrow’s already Christmas. I think you already missed out on that.” I wag a finger at him. “Lucky for us, Dorian has one, so we can all celebrate with his.”
As if summoned, Dorian walks in then, arms full of boxes, coat dusted with snow. Maisie squeals and runs straight to him, wrapping her arms around his legs.
He shifts the boxes easily and scoops her up, smiling like this is exactly where he’s meant to be.
“My mom went a little overboard,” he says to her. “So many presents.”
Her eyes go wide as she scrambles to check out the boxes.
He looks up, eyes finding mine, and beelines across the room once he sets the boxes down. He kisses me, slow and sure, one hand warm at my back.
When he pulls away, he reaches into his coat pocket. “I have something for you.”
The necklace glints softly when he opens his hand. Gold. Simple. Elegant. He fastens it around my neck, fingers brushing my skin with care.
“It’s beautiful,” I breathe.
He smiles like that was the only possible outcome. “Mom helped me pick it.”
His mother’s condition is more or less the same, but I can tell she’s glad to have her son home. Dorian officially transferred to work in Fox Hollow full-time, and he’s already talking about opening his own architectural firm.
I know he will. He always does all that he puts his mind to.
Amber has new snow boots on, sturdy and bright, and she wiggles her feet proudly. In the weeks since she moved to Fox Hollow, she has become part of my days in a way I didn’t expect.
