Page 130 of His Surrender

“She will steal his spot as the cutest reindeer on Santa’s sleigh.”

I laugh playfully. “I wasn’t aware this was a competition.”

“You know me, babe. I make everything a competition.”

I smile so hard that my cheeks hurt. There’s something about hearing Dean laugh that never fails to brighten my day.

“We’re heading inside Macy’s.”

“Oh?” he replies softly.

“I’m taking her to meet Santa.”

“You’re what?”

I pull open the heavy glass door with one hand, carefully maneuvering the stroller inside. “I thought it’d be fun.”

“You were just … going to do that without me?”

I stop walking. “Maybe?”

“Aubrey.” His voice has that fake offended tone he’s perfected over the past few weeks. “My daughter is meeting Santa for the first time.”

“I know.”

“And you didn’t think I might want to see that?”

“I honestly didn’t think about it.”

Another dramatic sigh. “Don’t move.”

“What?”

“I’m leaving for lunch.”

I fiddle with my necklace. “You are not.”

“I absolutely am.”

“Dean—” I reply.

“Stay in line. I’m serious.”

He hangs up. I stare at my phone before bursting into laughter.

“Well,”—I glance down at Liana— “I guess your dad has strong opinions about Santa.”

The line snakes halfway through Macy’s holiday village. Children bounce excitedly beside their parents while Christmas music drifts softly through hidden speakers overhead. Artificial snow sparkles beneath twinkling lights, and somewhere nearby, someone is handing out tiny candy canes.

Liana seems fascinated by all of it.

Her little head turns back and forth so quickly that I’m surprised she doesn’t make herself dizzy.

“You’ve got a lot to look at.”

She kicks both feet enthusiastically.

“You like Christmas already?”