Page 28 of Two Purple Gloves

“Sure, bud.” I smile at his eagerness. “But with supervision, make sure you do exactly as Auntie Nel or Uncle Jake says, got it?” They nod and I narrow my gaze at them, raising a finger to wag between them. “And no peeking at the labels, shaking boxes or trying to pry open wrapping paper.”

“We promise,” Oscar calls back as he leaves after his older brother who has already dashed from the room.

“I best go supervise then,” Jake sighs. “Maybe we should leave your present in the car though, seems like you already got yours.” He pointedly looks at my crotch and when I follow his line of sight, I see the wet patch I was demanding Lisa leave on my jeans. Looking back up to Jake, he winks at me and ruffles my hair as he leaves. I wish I could give him the middle finger, but my father-in-law is looking at me.

CHAPTER TWELVE

“As soon as we have a minute, I’m finishing what I started.”

LISA

Ithink I’m still the colour of Santa’s suit when everyone else makes it downstairs. Of course, all of them comment on the flush, asking if I’m okay, which only brightens the red. Bright red and horny. What a combo. Unfortunately, we were interrupted before I’d reached the peak and therefore, I’m now strung like a Christmas garland, jumping every time someone speaks to me.

In the distance, I can hear Jake, Nel, and the boys carting handfuls of presents in from the car as I fuss with syrups and spreads, arranging them nicely on the table. Harry very unhelpfully disappears upstairs, leaving me frazzled and trying to entertain too many people. But when he comes back wearing a different pair of jeans, my cheeks just heat again.I made a mess of him. When he catches my eye, he winks with a knowing smirk and my nether regions pulse.

“Okay,” I say, overly brightly. “Breakfast is ready, everyone.”

“This looks wonderful, darling,” Mum says, kissing my cheek and taking a seat.

“Amazing, Lis,” Rhi says, wrangling Freddie into his booster seat as he tries to reach for the waffles prematurely.

“Thank you.” I smooth my dress down and feel a little calmer as Harry comes to my side and puts his arm around my waist, kissing the top of my head.

“Don’t think I’m admitting defeat,” he whispers in my ear. “As soon as we have a minute, I’m finishing what I started.”He walks away to start making up the cafetiere and tea pot to put on the table and I barely suppress the shiver that rackets my spine.

“You looking forward to seeing your folks, Jake?” Luke asks before taking a huge bite of waffle laden with strawberries and chocolate hazelnut spread and moaning. The validation I get when people enjoy my food would probably give a therapist a field day, but I’m not seeing a therapist soyay me.

“Yeah.” Jake smiles, excitement evident. “Although I’m more excited to see my sister and the kids. Nel and I didn’t get out to Australia to visit them this summer, so I haven’t seen them in over a year. She hasn’t seen us since we got together.” He turns to Nel to give her an adoring smile, which she returns.

“And your brother-in-law?” Rhi asks, because I already told her privately that Jake hates John and she loves the drama. She’s trying to suppress her smile so hard, her cheeks concave.

Jake glares back at her. “I’m looking forward to seeing all myfamily,” he says pointedly.

“When are they coming by?” Auntie Hen asks.

“They got in late last night. I popped in to see Mum and Dad, but Mandy and John had the kids to settle, so I didn’t bother them. With the jet lag and everything, they’re taking the morning to rest up and they’ll meet us at the market later.

As one, everyone at the table turns to look through the patio doors behind me to see the rain that is now pelting down. I screw my face up, dreading the afternoon. “Yeah,” I sigh. “I think maybe you guys are going to want to stay in.”

“Oh, darling,” Mum says sadly. “But do you have to go?”

“I’m on the neighbourhood social committee, we organised everything, it would be bad form for me not to go.”

“Do you think all your vendors will turn up in this weather?” Jake asks with a wince.

Eurgh.“Given that ten percent didn’t show up last year when there was no apparent reason, I’m going to go with unlikely.”

“I’ll come with you, babe.” Harry frowns at me across the table, before looking worriedly out at the rain. The downpour goes from heavy to apocalyptic, bringing with it a plague of hailstones that pound on the window loud enough to make the twins panicky. Within seconds, my phone starts pinging with multiple notifications at once.

I’m slightly ashamed of how happy I am that the committee members are all in favour of cancelling the Christmas market. I shoot off a quick agreement and am grateful that someone else volunteers to contact the vendors. “Looks like I won’t be needed after all, market is cancelled.”

The crew all lift their glasses and cheer, making me laugh as I sit back down from checking my phone. “Wait,” Rhiannon says worriedly. “The Christmas party at the hall is still happening tonight, right?”

Again, everyone turns to me. “As it’s inside, yes. That will still be happening.”

Another round of cheers.

“Is Jake going to be Santa again?” Luke asks.