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I frowned, trying to see through the makeup. “Nate? Is that you?”
I could smell the peppermint Schnapps rolling off his breath and smiled.
“Yeah. It’s me, but don’t let this costume fool ya. I’ll make your holidays a living hell if you break her heart.”
Daisy chuckled. “It pays to have friends in high places.”
“That’s right, Daisy. Never fear, the elf is here.” Nate winked at her, and I couldn’t help but like the guy.
Maybe my brothers were right about him. He wasn’t so bad if he wanted to protect Daisy’s heart, but that was my job now.
And then a thought occurred to me.
Amy.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Daisy
The door to my cozy home creaked open. The frosty night air spilled into the warm living room filled with the glow of Christmas lights. Hunter came in right behind me, holding the cat carrier with angry meows emanating from inside.
“Welcome to the North Pole,” I joked, gesturing at my overly festive decorations. In my frantic attempt at ignoring the Brielle rumors, I’d pulled out every single piece of Christmas décor I’d ever purchased and created my own winter wonderland.
Hunter chuckled, setting down the carrier. “Looks like you’ve been busy since I was last here.”
“It’s called pretending everything is just fine while you’re secretly worried your world is crashing down.” She flashed a wry grin. “But don’t worry. I’m totally fine.”
Hunter smiled, shaking his head. “I wish I had just answered Brielle while you were there, and then you could have been there with me when I found out about Tate.”
His words stirred warmth through me, but I shook my head. “It all happened the way it was supposed to. I promise.”
The cat emerged with aristocratic grace from her carrier. Purrlock’s gaze swept the room, landing on the fireplace with a flicker of feline interest.
I headed to the kitchen, my voice trailing behind. “How about some hot cocoa?”
“Make it extra chocolatey,” he called after me, his voice rich and warm. It was as if the hecticness from the last few days all vanished the moment he was here.
“Sounds good. Will you turn on some Christmas tunes?”
He nodded, turning on the fireplace and reaching for the remote as Purrlock Holmes investigated her new surroundings.
In the kitchen, the waltz of hot cocoa making began. I reached for a pan, grabbed some milk and cocoa, and looked over at Hunter, who’d already settled in on my couch. Having him here made things feel like home. Or maybe it was just Hunter who felt like home, my home.
I pondered that last thought as a symphony of spoons clinking against mugs and milk whirring in the pot took my focus. I didn’t want to burn anything tonight. I looked up and noticed Hunter leaning against the wall, watching me with a sweet smile that was part amusement… and maybe something deeper.
“Careful,” I teased, catching his glance. “You might start believing I’m a cocoa aficionado.”
“I wouldn’t dare doubt it,” he replied, the corners of his eyes crinkling.
“Imagine little Tate here when he’s older, drinking some cocoa out of a sippy cup.”
Hunter grinned, his gaze staying focused on mine. “I’d like to believe that by then, we were cohabiting in the same place.”
I chuckled and pointed the spoon at him. “Ah, good call.”
With two steaming mugs in hand, we settled into the living room. Purrlock perilously perched herself on the mantel, eyeing the stockings with a predator’s focus.
It had me concerned, but I wasn’t about to ruin this moment with Hunter. Not after the last few days of emotional upheaval.
