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Soon, we’re getting dressed. I smooth my short velvet dress over my hips and look in the mirror. The long sleeves will keep me warm, and the V-neckline is flattering, showing the right amount of skin while keeping it conservative.
“I love the deep green color this dress has.” Hope touches my shoulder.
“Me too.”
She’s wearing a black sequins skirt with an ivory sweater that has some shimmery threads, and Ellie is wearing the black dress she bought when we went shopping.
“Let’s take a picture before everyone gets here.” Ellie dances in response to Hope’s suggestion.
“I’ll set up my phone,” I say.
I hook my arms in each of my best friends’ and smile as the camera on my phone counts down. We take a series of pictures, laughing and dancing and making silly faces. My friends are the best in the world, and I’d be lost without them.
The first person to arrive knocks on the door, and they make sure everything is set as I walk over to answer it. I smile when I see Toby looking dashing in a dress shirt, gray slacks, and charcoal wool coat. He’s holding a paper bag.
“Babe!” Hope leaps toward Toby, almost knocking him off his feet.
“Easy there.” A deep chuckle washes over me, and my head snaps behind Toby to find Hudson with a wide grin.
His eyes meet mine, and his expression shifts. Time pauses between us as we stare at one another, and my breath hitches. He looks handsome. Gorgeous, even. His hair is combed to the side in that modern style men wear now, where the top is longer than the sides. His face is covered in the perfect amount of stubble, and his eyes are green like a Christmas tree twinkling with lights.
An array of emotions travel through me seeing him at my doorstep on New Year’s Eve. We may have spent Christmas together, but I still pinch myself to make sure it’s not a dream.
“Uh…we’re gonna go inside because this is getting awkward.” Hope’s voice rings with amusement, but I don’t bother looking at her. My eyes are fixed on the man before me.
“Hi.” His gruff voice makes me melt.
“Hi.” I smile, blinking away the daze that’s taken over.
“You look stunning,” Hudson steps forward, grabbing my hand at my side and brushing his lips against my cheek.
“You look…” Words are lost as I take him in. He’s wearing burgundy tailored pants, a light gray dress shirt, and a black wool coat.
“Handsome?” His eyebrows wiggle.
My eyes meet his again, and I slowly nod as if I took Benadryl, and my reactions are drowsy.
“Ah, you’re speechless. Good, good. I was going for that reaction.”
Shaking my head, I laugh. “You look so handsome.” I nod and wrap my arms around him in an embrace and kiss his cheek.
His hand lands on my lower back, and all feels right with the world. The way I feel with him gets better and better each time I see him. Safe and cared for mixed with wanted and beautiful.
“Come on.” His whispered command tickles my neck.
“Yeah.”
Before I can fully step away, he cradles my cheek. I close my eyes, inhaling his spice and woodsy cologne.
“I’m so glad I’m here.”
“Me too.” I blink my eyes open.
He grabs hold of my hand and closes the door behind us. “I brought dessert from Sweetness.”
“What’d you get?” My eyes light up at the thought of the best bakery in town.
“Surprise.” He taps my nose playfully.
