Page 40 of Wicked Love

“Guys, I think you’re requested over there.” I pointed in the direction of the table they had occupied minutes ago.

“Gotta go,” Julian said. “Come on, Thomas, Mama needs us.”

“Bye, Grace. Bye, Joe.”

“Still adorable,” I said once they left. “Can you keep my seat warm while I’m gone?” I asked Grace.

“Sure… Huh, where are you going?”

I kissed her forehead before I could realize what I was doing. “You’ll see.”

I met with Lea, who accepted my playing the piano proposal.

Grace’s eyes widened when she noticed me sitting on the piano bench, rolling my sleeves, and wiggling my fingers in anticipation.

Once the harp player finished the song, I leaned in, and we agreed on a playlist.

Playing the piano had always been as easy as breathing for me. When I was six, I visited a friend of my mother who taught music at the university. I sat in front of the black and white keys and knew exactly how to play.

The keys felt like home as my fingers glided over them.

People in the dining room started to sing. Thomas and Julian and three little girls came to sit cross-legged on the floor in front of me, watching with wondrous expressions.

I couldn’t reel in my grin. I was in my element right now. And I enjoyed every second of it.

From the way Grace stared at me with some sort of admiration, I thanked life for putting her on my road.

I finished my set and returned to my breakfast.

“Your talent blows my mind,” Grace whispered as I filled my plate with eggs and bacon. “I had an idea you were skilled, because duh…you play on Broadway. But this was beyond all my expectations.”

“Thanks. Guess we’re both gifted in our own way.”

“You are.” Grace fidgeted with a spoon on the table, and I grabbed her hand to still her movements.

“Hey, you are too. No matter what you choose to do, Grace, I have a feeling you’ll do great.”

“You really think so?”

“I’m sure of it.”

We finished eating, chatting with the people sitting opposite us. A couple in their late twenties and a single dad of a teenage boy.

Later, Lea clapped her hands, demanding attention. “Thank you all for coming to our annual Eggnog and PJ Breakfast. I hope you all enjoyed it. For those of you who are interested, we’ll have the first edition of the Holly Jolly Scavenger Hunt on Friday night. I hope to see you there. Now, you’re all dismissed. Go and have fun the rest of your day. Don’t worry about cleaning up. I have a team of Santa’s elves ready to tackle the dishes.” As if on cue, five guys dressed as elves exited the kitchen door, and everyone started laughing.

“Mistletoe Creek residents never do anything half-ass,” Grace said.

“Nope. Come on, let’s go to our first family outing. I’m sure DH can’t wait to sit on Santa’s lap.”

“We’ll make family Christmas cards. I think we should stay in our PJs.”

“Your wishes are my orders,” I teased with a wink.

And just like that, we became the non-couple couple, dressed in matching outfits, who took their kitten for a family portrait.

Now I was certain Anderson would never believe me unless I sent him one of these pictures.

Never before would I have imagined myself parading through town dressed as a snowman and waiting in line at the pet store to see Santa with a kitten, but here I was.