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Then his arm comes around my middle and he hauls me against him. My feet come off the ground, and I kick, trying to get away. I can’t stop laughing, though.
We collapse onto the floor, a tangle of limbs, both laughing our asses off.
We look up to find our friends watching us with amused expressions, which only makes us laugh harder.
“I’m so glad you two finally saw what was right in front of you. You’re perfect for each other,” Thea says.
Jace picks himself up off the ground and holds out two hands to help me up.
“Sorry about the mess,” he tells them. “We’ll clean it up.”
“We set up the air mattress in the family room,” Rae says. “It’s not the most comfortable, but I figure it’s better than the couch.”
“I think we should watch a movie tonight. Maybe Jaws,” Thea suggests.
Xander chuckles and kisses the side of her forehead. “You and Jaws.”
“Hey, you like it too,” she defends.
He grins back. “That I do.”
“Anybody else feel like we’re missing something?” Jace asks.
Thea and Xander chuckle, but give no explanation.
“We can watch something else,” Thea concedes, even though nobody fought against it. “We should probably do something Christmas-y.”
“Ooh, I know,” Rae chimes with more enthusiasm than usual. “We could watch all the Santa Claus movies. The ones with Tim Allen. I love those.” She blushes slightly when she realizes her exuberance.
“That’s a good idea,” I agree. “I’ve only seen the first one and that was forever ago.”
Thea and Rae exchange a look. “You’ve only seen the first one?” Rae asks.
“Yeah.” I nod. “That’s what I said.”
“It’s settled then. We’re watching all of them. I’ll get the first one on. Xander, you make the popcorn, and please do not drench it in butter.”
“Maybe I’ll just make you your own not butter drenched bowl.”
“That’d be perfect.” She flips her long hair over her shoulder and heads into the other room. Cade and Rae follow.
Jace and I clean up the water while Xander makes the popcorn and gathers other snacks. By the time we clean up our mess he has a tray full of drinks so Jace carries that into the family room. I wait with Xander and help him put all the popcorn into individual bowls so we don’t have to all fight over it.
“Make an extra bowl for my mom,” Thea calls into the kitchen. “She said she’d come down after she takes a bath.?
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Xander I finish doling out the popcorn into seven individual bowls. I fit four onto a tray and Xander handles the rest.
All the lights are off in the family room, only the glow of the Christmas tree and the TV illuminating the space.
Thea has piled blankets and pillows onto the couch and air mattress so everything feels like one over-flowing space.
I set the tray down on the center of the mattress and grab a bowl for Jace and me. I flop onto the couch beside him and he takes the extra bowl from me.
Everyone finds a seat and Thea starts the movie.
A few months ago, I wouldn’t have enjoyed something like this, now there’s no place I’d rather be.
