Page 122 of Touch of Class

“No.” Brooke said flatly.

Gillian turned to her, the concern on her best friend’s features making her stomach tighten. “It’s okay if you’re not there yet, Brookesy. It’s a lot.”

“It is,” Brooke said slowly, “which isn’t a bad thing. I don’t think any of this is a bad thing. But I’ve known you a long time, and I worry about you as much as you worry about me. This seems all very sudden and out of character.”

“Sounds like the start of another relationship I know,” Tegan cut in.

Brooke smiled faintly. “The irony isn’t lost on me. Out of character can be a great thing, but I’m wondering if just not will be enough to sustain you in a long-term relationship?”

“I don’t know, but I want it to,” Gillian said evenly, the confidence she’d so recently decided to forgo rising inside her. “I’m not sure how any of this will play out, but I’m sure I want to be with Daphne more than I want certainty or a clear path. I want to muddle through the messy, making-something-new stages with Daphne more than I want to hold onto my neat and tidy life. I want to wake up wherever she is, and I want to lie in bed with her more than I want to get up and go to the gym or the office. I want to be home for dinner with her more than I want to work late. I want to hear her ribbing me or laughing or going on about cuddle therapy more than I want my peace and quiet. It’s not that I don’t still want the well-ordered existence I’ve built for myself. It’s just that I want her more, and I’m okay with letting that be enough for me, because she is more than enough for me. What I feel for her is more than enough to sustain me through the uncertainty ahead.”

“And that right there is enough for me.” Brooke’s smile exploded. “God, I’ve missed this side of you.”

Gillian got up and crossed the room, wrapping her in a hug. “I’ve missed this part of me, too.”

Sawyer wrapped around them next. “Welcome back.”

Soon everyone joined in laughing, hugging, jostling one another around, until somewhere amid the cacophony Gillian locked eyes with Daphne, and mouthed a silent “thank you.”

Twenty-Six

“Merry Christmas.” A sweet kiss landed on Daphne’s cheek, followed by another more insistent one on her lips, and she couldn’t think of a better way to be woken up.

“Merry Christmas.” She wrapped her arms around Gillian and pulled her more fully on top of her. She loved how familiar the press of that amazing body had become in the last couple of weeks.

Gillian kissed her neck, her shoulder, her collarbone. “This is the best Christmas morning I’ve had, well, ever as an adult. I’m so happy you let me unwrap you last night.”

Daphne ran her fingers lightly up and down Gillian’s bare back. “That’s not your only present from me … but it’s probably the best.”

“Undoubtedly.”

The sound of dishes clinking and a timer going off in the kitchen made it clear that while it had been their night to sleep downstairs, Hugh had already let himself in to prepare Christmas breakfast.

“Does that mean we don’t have time to go again?” Gillian asked.

“Probably. He’s likely making a racket because he’s excited for everyone to be up and start celebrating. On the upside, there will be about fifteen delicious options to eat.”

“I think I’ve already had the most delicious thing I could eat.” Gillian nipped at her earlobe. “But Hugh’s cooking is a close second.”

“I love when you get smutty.” Daphne laughed and shoved Gillian off her, afraid if she didn’t get up now, she might not be able to. “It’s still a surprise every time.”

“Glad I haven’t managed to get predictable yet.”

They dressed, stealing glances, touches, and a few more kisses along the way before joining Hugh in the dining room, where he had indeed laid out an impressive spread of pastries, quiches, sausage rolls, and homemade scones.

He handed Gillian a coffee and Daphne a mimosa, saying, “Go ahead, Darling, your new lover can drive us both to the family home later.”

“Please stop calling her that.” Daphne made a gagging noise but accepted the drink anyway, as the point was well-taken if poorly made. Since both of their families were in Syracuse, Gillian had agreed to drive them all up together before attending separate lunches and afternoon events, then reconnecting in the evening with the intention of introducing one another to their respective parents.

“Are you nervous?” Hugh asked quietly.

“Are you kidding? My family will adore Gillian. She’s everything they wanted me to be.”

“That’s sort of what I meant,” Hugh said. “I kind of want to take her home to my parents.”

“I think she’d go,” Daphne smiled, knowing Gillian would likely impress almost anyone anywhere in the world.

“Morning.” They all turned to see Izzy shuffling in with bleary eyes and elf-shoe slippers.