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“Of course you can. That’s a wonderful idea, sweetie.” Pearl beams at her. “How about we get the tree and the decorations from the attic after we finish dinner?”
Mackenzie lays her hand on mine, still resting on her jean-clad thigh, and squeezes. “Sure. Sounds good.”
I squeeze back, heaving out a sigh.Crisis averted.
My stomach churns as I shove a bite of mashed potatoes in my mouth.Who are the other friends Jamie invited? Alex Barnes and Brady Hall?I try to repress the growl rumbling inside my chest. My stomach burns from the jealousy swimming inside me.
If those jackasses show up, they better not look at my girl the wrong way, or I’ll fucking beat both their asses.
Mackenzie’s hands are on her hips as she surveys the totes stacked in the living room, a frown marring her face. My heart squeezes inside my chest. She looks so cute when she’s concentrating.
Last night, the four of us had gotten the tree from the attic and put up the nine-foot monstrous thing near the fireplace. Pearl and Mike left it undecorated since Mackenzie insisted she and I could handle it.
I’d never seen a tree that big before. When I was a kid, we had a large tree in our house, but after my mom got sick, we only had a tiny three-foot tree.
“I think we fluffed the branches enough.” Even as she says those words, Mackenzie grabs a couple of branches and begins twisting them. I raise my brows at her when she turns around. “What? There was a hole there.”
I grin, shrugging my shoulders. She looks relaxed and happy, which is a far cry from most mornings when she’s withdrawn and moody, lost inside her head.
“Let’s put some Christmas music on and set the mood. We need to find the lights…” She trails off as she says, “Alexa, play some Christmas music.” Once Alexa complies, she moves to the totes closest to me, a big smile on her face. “Ready for this?”
Analyzing her face, happiness lights up my chest. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Five hours later, we’ve transformed the house into something that rivals a Hallmark Christmas movie. The house twinkles with red and white Christmas lights, garland strewn over the fireplace mantle and around every doorway. The dining room and kitchen glimmer with garland and lights that match the living room.
“There.” Mackenzie steps back from fusing with the centerpiece on the table. Her smile slowly fades before her amber eyes flit to mine. “It’s ironic that a month ago, I had the fleeting thought I might never decorate or celebrate Christmas again.”
I move behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist. Lowering my chin to her forehead, I whisper, “But we survived, Kenz, and look at the magic surrounding you. Even though I helped, you were the mastermind behind this festival of lights.”
She sighs, slowly turning in my arms so she faces me. “Sometimes I wonder how long it will take to feel normal again. The argument with Mom last night made me realize how different I am. I know she didn’t mean to, but the things she said made me feel abnormal.”
A pang goes through my chest. “I get it, Kenz. We aren’t the same people that we were a month ago. What we endured… it changed us. But that’s not always a bad thing.” Leaning forward, I rub my nose against hers. “Sometimes, we change faster than those around us. We just need to give them time to realize it and catch up.”
“You are wise beyond your years, Chase Landon.”
“So are you, Mackenzie Dawn. I’ve watched you grow and mature… I’m so proud of who you’ve become.”
Gratitude shines in her eyes. “I’m proud of the man you are and who you’ve become, Chase. My whiskey tango.” Leaning on her tiptoes, she plants a kiss against my cheek. My heart explodes from the nickname that she hasn’t used since we escaped.
“I missed the nickname.”
She smiles warmly at me before her face grows serious. “I want to thank you, again. You kept your promise to me.”
Realization washes over me as I realize what she’s referring to. “I got you out of there before your eighteenth birthday.”
She grins. “Yup. My actual birthday and not this… Pretend party Mom is throwing to celebrate it.”
I slide a hand through her long blonde locks. “Try to enjoy it, Kenz. Eighteen is a big deal and you didn’t get a chance to properly celebrate it, considering we were recovering in the hospital.”
“I know.” A long sigh escapes her bow-shaped lips. “I’ll give it a shot. Thanks for helping me decorate. It helps me feel a little more… normal.”
“Anytime, angel. I’m here to help in every way I can.”
58
MACKENZIE
Eyeing my appearance in the full-length mirror hanging on the back of my closet door, butterflies dance in my belly. The red sweater dress is looser than it used to be, a side effect of the weight loss I have yet to regain post-captivity.
