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“Katherine wanted me to give you this,” Ryan said. “We’re hosting a final dinner party for Christmas. Katherine’s parents are taking the girls.”
Caleb took the invite. “We don’t have anyone to watch Tara.”
“Katherine’s mother has already agreed to it and you know what that means.”
Katherine’s mother was an amazing woman. All she ever wanted was to have a large family, but due to some complications, Katherine was their only daughter. They wanted grandkids, and whoever was friends with Katherine became like adoptive kids of hers. Caleb got a Christmas sweater every single year. He still needed to introduce Annie to Katherine’s mother. There hadn’t been an opportunity.
“It means Tara has just gotten new grandparents.”
“That’s right. Don’t worry. I’ve already shown Tara and Annie’s picture to Lilly.”
Caleb frowned. “How?”
“Simple and easy.” Ryan pulled out his cell phone. “It’s not like I made it a secret that I was taking your picture.”
Caleb took the phone from his friend, and there was one of him, Annie, and Tara. It was taken during their first Sunday lunch at his friend’s house. Staring at the picture, it gripped his heart. He saw the love he had for Annie even back then, and Tara. They did look like a ready-made family, but that wasn’t why he had feelings for her. She made his heart sing and filled his life with joy, and every waking moment was about her. This was different.
“So, you don’t even have the excuse that you need someone to babysit. I’ve already got you covered,” Ryan said. “Come on, man, it’ll be fun.”
“I’ll talk to Annie and get back to you.”
Ryan rolled his eyes. “Come on. If you go, she’ll go. It’ll be good for the both of you. Some space away from the baby, spending time with each other. You guys know I’m right.”
“I don’t know any such thing. You’re a bad influence.” He picked up his water and had a sip.
“That is totally a yes,” Ryan said.
“I’ll ask and I’ll get back to you. I’m not going to answer for Annie.”
“Then answer for you.”
“I’ll go if Annie goes.”
Ryan snorted. “Pussy-whipped.”
“And trust me, I love it.” He winked at Ryan.
They finished enjoying their meal, and back at the office everything was in order, so his presence wasn’t needed. He’d also made sure to give his staff two weeks off at Christmas. All necessary calls would go straight to his cell phone. This is what he did every single year. He enjoyed doing it and he believed it helped boost morale and also made the year much more enjoyable.
He arrived back at his apartment a little after three. Annie with Tara on her hip came to greet him.
“Look who it is,” she said. “I think Tara has missed you.”
The moment the little girl saw him, she tried to reach for him. This filled Caleb’s heart. He loved this little girl, just as he loved the woman who’d been holding her. “I missed you too, sweetheart. And I missed you.” He kissed Tara’s head first before taking possession of Annie’s lips. “Did you miss me?”
“Yes.” She gripped the back of his neck, pulling him down. “How was Ryan?”
He sighed.
“That bad?”
“Not that bad, but he wants us to go to his Christmas party. He does it every year. Katherine and Ryan love having their house filled to bursting with people. The kids are taken care of by Katherine’s mom, and trust me, she is amazing.” He told Annie all the details. “So, what do you think?” he asked.
“You should totally go. It sounds like a lot of fun.”
“Annie, babe, the invite is for both of us and I’m not going to some party unless you’re there, right by my side.”
“Oh, okay.” She started to laugh. “I thought it was a party just for you. My bad. Just ignore me.”
He chuckled and this time, he gripped the back of her neck, tilted her head back, and kissing her harder. “You never know, with Tara taken care of, after the party I might be able to have my wicked way with you.”
Annie sighed. “Promises…”
He’d been sure to whisper it against her ear. “No, babe, a guarantee.”
“Then I say we go.”
****
The dress she wore felt a little on the tight side. Annie tried to pull it at the waist, but there was no way it was going to give. Caleb had already zipped her into the dress. It was also one he’d chosen.
Lilly, Katherine’s mother, had told her she looked stunning.
Annie didn’t feel quite so stunning. She felt nervous. Her palms were all sweaty. On several occasions Caleb had tried to reach for her hands, but she’d pulled them away so he didn’t detect anything was wrong. Nibbling her lip, she saw they were getting closer to his friend’s house.
I can do this.
“Annie, babe, are you okay?” he asked.
