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“I invited her,” Johanna interjects from the living room. “Lola and I saw her in town the other day, and I told her to stop by for some cookies on Christmas Eve. Come inside before you catch a cold, dear.” Her voice is warm and inviting.
I chuckle as Dylan hesitantly motions for Marlow to step into the entryway.
“Thank you, Dylan,” Marlow says with mock sweetness.
He grits his teeth, struggling to control his temper.
Oblivious to the tension brewing, Lola grabs Marlow’s hand, leading her into the living room with Dylan reluctantly following behind. He sits next to me, folding his arms across his chest like a sulking child.
“I can’t believe my mom invited Marlow over,” he mumbles.
“Oh, come on, she means well. Plus, she’s been looking forward to this,” I say with a chuckle.
“Hold up. You knew about this?” His voice is laced with irritation.
“Johanna might have mentioned that she thought Marlow was a nice girl, and I merely suggested she invite her over so the two of you could spend some time together. I didn’t think she’d actually go through it.” That’s a lie. I knew Johanna would take action if I encouraged her.
“I can’t believe you’d do that to me,” he mutters.
“Payback’s a bitch, isn’t it?” I say with a smug expression.
If he hadn’t been involved in orchestrating my “arrest” last year, I might not be enjoying his discomfort so much. However, given the circumstances, I have no regrets about how things have played out.
Presley swats my shoulder. “Watch your mouth, Mr. Sinclair,” she scolds teasingly.
I lean in to brush my mouth against her ear. “You like it when I talk dirty,” I whisper.
A shiver ripples through her, and I have half a mind to throw her over my shoulder and go upstairs, but I refrain. The last thing I want is to face Mike’s wrath by keeping Presley away from her family tonight.
I turn my attention to Cash, who’s in the middle of recounting a prank he pulled on Dylan back in high school that involved food color, and toothpaste. While the room erupts in laughter in response to something he said, a wave of nostalgia washes over me.
When I was a kid, I used to imagine what it would be like to be part of a close-knit family—one who gathered around the table for dinner, spent the holidays together, and openly gave their unconditional support. Now, after all these years, my wish has become a reality, and it’s all because Presley has generously shared her family with me.
I was a shadow of a man, before she came along, living in solitude without a purpose beyond expanding my business ventures. She has breathed life into the darkest corners of my soul and awakened a passion for life that has long been dormant. She effortlessly fills the void that once echoed with loneliness, turning each moment together into a perfect blend of laughter, and shared dreams. Presley Stafford will forever hold my heart. I love her with all that I am, and will spend the rest of my days showing her just how much she means to me.
