Page 274 of Show Me

I drop my hands. “I’m pregnant. It’s allowed.”

He arches an eyebrow. “Pretty sure that’s not how that works.”

Xavier's arm slips around my waist. “I wouldn’t argue with her.”

“Smart man,” Hannah says.

I point at her. “I’m still processing you.”

She laughs and hugs me. “Merry Christmas, Ruby.”

Despite myself, I hug her back, being careful not to smash the pie into her sweater. “Merry Christmas.”

When she pulls away, Dad takes the pie from my hands and carries it toward the kitchen as if bringing my veterinarian to Christmas dinner were normal.

I look at Xavier. “Did you know?” His expression gives him away. My eyes narrow. “You knew.”

“Your dad told me.”

“And you didn’t tell me?”

“It wasn’t my secret.” He kisses my forehead. “Merry Christmas, baby.”

“You’re all terrible.”

Bella calls from the kitchen, “I personally think this is the best Christmas ever.”

“You would.”

The front door opens again before I can interrogate anyone further. Xavier glances toward the entryway, and his whole face softens. “Dad.”

Mr. Cole steps inside, brushing snow from his coat before stomping his boots lightly against the mat. Cold air rushes through the house before the door shuts again.

“Well, look at this place,” he says, glancing around the room before walking toward the kitchen where Xavier was prepping to cut the ham. “You two did good.”

“Mostly Xavier. Without him, I’d have each wall painted a different color of white.” I wrinkle my nose. “That is if the walls were still standing.”

I’m glad to have something less earthshattering to focus on than Dad and Hannah sleeping together because no way do her flushed cheeks mean anything other than they’ve been intimate—a lot.

I glance behind him, almost expecting the door to open again. No one else enters. At least he’s not dropping a new girlfriend on us tonight.

“As usual, you don’t give yourself enough credit.” Mr. Cole stops beside me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “Merry Christmas, Ruby.”

Heat floods my face as I blush like a teenager. “Thank you, Mr. Cole.”

Xavier chuckles beside me while collecting the carving knives. “Careful,” he tells his dad. “You’re making her nervous.”

His dad smirks. “Good.” He leans over and kisses me on the cheek. “And we’re way past Mr. Cole. You’re the mother of my future grandchildren.”

“Right.” My cheeks brighten even more at the added attention.

I expect Xavier to flinch at the mention of grandchildren, but all he does is look at me with his usual mixture of wonder and a healthy dose of lust.

Oh my God. He’s got to stop that. I shudder and jerk my attention away from him, returning it to his father. “Thank you.” I pause for a brief second and say, “Daniel.”

He claps Xavier on the shoulder before joining the rest of the group as they discuss the upcoming football playoffs.

The room settles after that. People find chairs, pass dishes, and argue over who forgot the serving spoons.