Quinn appears beside me a second later holding her own glass of champagne.“Hope you don’t mind us crashing the party,” she smiles down at me.“I’m Quinn.”
“Vanessa.”
“I know.”Her smile turns sly as she glances toward Hayden.“We’ve all been dying to meet you, but that one over there doesn’t like to share.”
“Quinn.”Hayden groans in embarrassment.
She ignores him completely.And as laughter fills the room around us, while snow falls softly outside, and Larkin climbs into my lap like she belongs there, I realize Hayden has given me everything I asked for and more.
Chapter Thirty
Hayden
Stargazing
Myles Smith
It’s been four days since we had brunch at Luc and Lily’s and we’ve barely spent a moment apart.Vanessa’s off work now until after the New Year, and the band is on break from the studio until after the holidays.
I’ve spent all four of those nights at Vanessa’s.Wrapping all the presents we bought for everyone, cooking together, watching classic Christmas movies, making love so many times I’ve lost count, and of course, tolerating Vinny.
So, when Vanessa walks into my apartment this afternoon, she notices the absence within seconds.
“There’s no tree.”
I glance up from where I’m opening takeout containers at the kitchen island.“What?”
“There’s no Christmas tree in your apartment.”
I look around once trying to piece together why this is a problem.“No,” I confirm with an arched brow.“There isn’t.”
Vanessa stares at me from the middle of my living room like I’ve personally offended her.Outside, snow drifts across the city skyline beyond the massive windows while music crackles from the turntable in the living room.
“You don’t decorate for Christmas?”Disbelief laced in her question.
“I have a candle.”I point to the large green jar on the table.
Her mouth falls open.“A candle,” she spits out, her disdain evident.
“It smells like pine?”I try without success to prove my point that I’ve decorated.
“Oh my God.”She presses one hand against her chest.“You live like a wealthy serial killer.”
I snort before I can stop myself.“That feels excessive.”
“There’s not even a wreath.”She continues, her gaze darting around my apartment.
“I didn’t realize this would upset you.We have a tree at your place.”I argue, hoping that will suffice.
“It doesn’t upset me.”She drops her purse onto the couch before turning toward me with narrowed eyes.“It concerns me.”
I’m smiling again.This woman is going to be the death of me.Vanessa disappears down the hallway toward my bedroom without another word.
“What are you doing?”I call after her.
“You’ll see.”
That does nothing to alleviate my concerns.Five minutes later she reappears wearing one of my black sweaters.It nearly swallows her whole, red hair falling loose over the fabric while she types into her phone.
