“A little while?” Nick arched his brow. “As in weeks? Months?Years?Because I don’t recall any recent tales of ecstasy from your end.”
“Less than a year…I think.”
“That’s crazy,” Nick said. “I mean, how do you do it?”
Micah frowned. “Do what?”
Nick started to speak then glanced at Eli who was poking around the gifts. Leaning closer, his voice dropped. “How do you live withoutsex?”
Laughing low, Micah shrugged. “I handle it.”
Nick drew back and looked at him dubiously. “Handleit, huh?” A snarky grin stretched across his lips.
Rolling his eyes, Micah laughed. “I didn’t mean it likethat.”
“Didn’t mean what?” Wendy walked in just then and Micah’s cheeks flushed pink and Nick bit back an amused laugh.
“Nothing,” Micah mumbled with a tight smile.
She eyed the two of them. “Why don’t I believe you?”
“We were just discussing-” Nick started.
“Nothing,”Micah intervened.
Eli spotted his mom and ran over excitedly. “Can we open them now?”
“I think we better.” Nick smiled. “Before he explodes.”
“Beforeheexplodes?” Wendy smirked. “Don’t pretend you’re not as eager.” She turned to Eli. “Go pick out one of yoursmallerpresents. The big ones have to wait till tomorrow.” Pointing at the two men, she added, “Same goes for you two. You only get to open a small present.”
Nick rapidly rubbed his palms together. “Yay. Present time.”
Ducking his head, Micah laughed. He loved this family. Inside these walls, it seemed as if all the bad in the world was obliterated. When he stepped into this oasis, he never wanted to leave. All year long, he looked forward to this two-week vacation in which he could get out of the city and spend some quality time with the greatest people on earth. Nick and Wendy had moved out of the city just before Eli was born and had been trying to talk Micah into moving as well. He’d always had an excuse as to why it wasn’t a good time to relocate. But lately, the excuses were growing weak—and the thought of moving closer to his “family” seeming more and more appealing.
“Come on, my friend.” Nick nodded at the tree, a huge grin on his face. “Let’s go get our goodies.”
Wendy sighed and rubbed her belly. “I’m beginning to think this is mythirdchild rather than my second.”
Micah laughed and hugged her. “I think you could be right.”
