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As we head to the kitchen, I glance out the patio door, freezing to admire the view. A big smile lights up my face. “Look, Chase.”
He follows my finger, grinning as he looks out the door at the snow. “Come on.” Tugging my hand, he pulls me out the patio door.
The world outside is completely silent. The steadily falling snow is illuminated by the outdoor Christmas lights that hang from the house and are wrapped around the bushes and trees.
Chase wraps me in his arms as we stand there, looking up at the sky.
“Merry Christmas Eve, Mom and Elsie,” he whispers. “I miss you.”
A pang goes through my heart for him, but also for my brother, who like Chase’s sister, died far too young. “Merry Christmas Eve, Gavin.”
Our heads lower simultaneously, our gazes locking together. Despite our losses, we’ve gained so much by finding one another.
“I wouldn’t change any of it. Not one single thing. Everything that happened, led me to this perfect moment with you.” Emotion fills me, my voice quivering slightly as I blink, trying to hold back my tears.
As though he reads my thoughts, a slow smile covers Chase’s face. “We made it, angel. We went through hell, but you’re absolutely right. I wouldn’t change one damn thing because this moment with you is everything. Fucking perfect.”
Tears fill my eyes and when I blink, they course down my cheeks. “This is the most perfect Christmas Eve I’ve ever had.”
Chase grins. “Me too. And tomorrow will be the same because every day spent with you is perfect.”
With a grin, he pulls the mistletoe out again, holding it over my head. Neither of us speaks as we kiss, becoming lost in one another.
90
MACKENZIE
Two days later, I’m inside the bookstore, spending the gift card Chase got me. Melody and I are hanging out together while Chase and Jeff are at the Graham’s house, playing video games while Smokey and Delilah have a doggie play date.
Since Christmas day, we’ve settled into a routine where the four of us—Jeff, Melodie, Chase, and me—take the dogs for a walk. Then we take them back to my dad’s house where he spends time hanging with them, which mostly consists of him petting the dogs and covering them with blankets on the couch or their dog beds before the three of them take a nap.
“Your dad cracks me up. He’s taking his role seriously. I heard him tell Delilah she’s his grand dog.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “He really is. I think he missed having a dog almost as much as I did.” My face clouds as I think about my mom.
“Have you heard from her?” Melody asks softly.
I shake my head. “I asked Dad if he’d talked to her. He said she asked when she could come over and get some more things. He told her Chase and I moved back in, and she said, ‘Tell me when they aren’t there, and I’ll come over.’ My dad was pissed, but also sad.”
“Oh, Kenz. That’s awful. My mom is a pain in the ass with her OCD over having a clean house. But I can’t imagine her acting the way your mom is.”
Taking a book off the shelf, I study the cover before my eyes lift to hers. “That’s the thing. At one time, I wouldn’t have ever imagined my mom acting this way. When Gavin was alive, I thought we were pretty much the perfect family. His death exposed the cracks that either I didn’t see, or maybe I was in denial.” I take a deep breath as a stab of guilt courses through me. “I hated Chase when he first moved in because I thought he was there to replace Gavin. My Dad denied it, but when I think back, my mom didn’t.”
“Kenz.” Mel’s hand is on my shoulder. “Don’t beat yourself up for it. Chase understands. He forgave you a long time ago. That guy loves and adores you.”
A smile spreads across my face as I picture my boyfriend’s face. “God, I love that man.” Pressing the book against my chest, I stare into space, lost in my thoughts of him.
“Well, well, well. Look who’s here.” Jessie’s obviously loud voice pulls me from my thoughts, souring my good mood. “How’s your jailbird boyfriend, Kenz?” She smirks at me, tossing her brunette locks over her shoulder before she puts her hands on her hips, perusing me from head to toe. “Incest looks good on you.”
Jamie’s laughter hits my ears as she strolls up beside Jessie. She looks me over from head to toe. “She’s right. Incest looks good on you.”
“Shut the hell up. Neither of you witches have any idea what you’re talking about,” Melody spits out before I can open my mouth, defending me.
Jessie crosses her arms over her chest, staring at Melody with disdain. “Who gave you permission to speak?”
“Bitch, she doesn’t need your permission.” I shoulder my way in front of Melody, tired of the bullshit. “The two of you don’t run the world just because your delusional minds think you do.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I look the two of them up and down. “Instead of being worried about my ‘incest’ with Chase,” I do the finger quotes in the air, fury exploding from me. I’m so tired of dealing with these two mean girls. All they’ve done is torment me since Chase and I returned home. “Why don’t the two of you do something constructive, like focus on why you’re so obsessed with us.”
Jamie and Jessie gasp, but I’m not done.
