Page 86 of The King Contract

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Page 86 of The King Contract

“We’re eating in ten!” Gabby calls. “You’d better not be taking advantage of Millie in there. Let the poor woman breathe for a second.”

“Get out of here, you pest!” he calls back. I cover my mouth to suppress a giggle as Noah shakes his head, grinning. “She has a way of sweetening every moment.”

“I have no doubt.” I peer up at Noah’s soft gaze, and reluctantly, take a step back. “We should wash up for dinner.”

Noah makes a reluctant noise, before leaning in to whisper, “We’ll finish this later.”

33

MILLIE

Don’t be stupid

Christmas Day at the Kings’home is almost too perfect to be true.

Everybody treats me like I’m part of the family, letting me in on their private jokes and old stories, always ensuring I have a drink and that my plate is full.

Noah’s parents are quirky and funny, poking fun at each other one minute and twirling each other around the kitchen the next. Jared and Emma are madly in love and are some of the easiest people I’ve ever spoken to. Willow is sassy and adorable, taking turns sitting on everybody’s laps because she wants a view from every spot at the table. And then there’s Gabby, who I don’t think has a filter, nor any boundaries when it comes to speaking her mind. She’s bubbly with a dry sense of humour, whispering facts about everybody to me as they exchange stories.

“Jared and Emma met via an online dating app,” she explains, as the others chat about the impending birth of their second child. “But they tell everyone they metthrough friends.”

“Everybody meets online these days,” I reply. “There’s no shame in it.”

“Millie doesn’t think there’s any shame in online dating,” Gabby announces obnoxiously, sipping her drink with a smirk. Jared gives her a disapproving stare and Emma blushes, but everyone else laughs. “Seriously, guys. Embrace it. You make it so easy to wind you up.”

I glance at Noah sitting to my other side. He grins and rests his hand on my knee, giving it a squeeze. I could pass out from this too-perfect day. That Noah and I basically confessed we’re keen to keep not-pretending, whilst still pretending, hasn’t left my mind for longer than a minute since it happened over an hour ago. He touched my lower back as he escorted me to the lavishly decorated dining table. When Gabby loaded my arms up with bowls of potato salad and green vegetables, he squeezed my ass and kissed the side of my head. My body still buzzes with electricity.

“Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!”

I recognise Dan’s voice as it booms from the hallway and we turn as he lumbers into the room, gift bags and booze in his arms. “Sorry I’m late, Mrs. K.” He leans down and kisses Joan on the cheek.

“Don’t apologise, darling,” she assures him. “We’ve set a place for you next to Gab.”

“Uncle Dan!” Willow shrieks and jumps off her dad’s lap, running to Dan with her arms held out.

Dan drops his items and scoops her up, nuzzling into her neck. “Wilhelmina, I missed you!”

Willow giggles hysterically. “My name isWillow.”

Dan holds her out, a dramatic frown on his face. “Are you sure?”

“Yes!”

“Are you really,reallysure?”

“Yes.”

Dan’s eyes narrow. “Sounds suspicious. I’m watching you.”

My ovaries ache at the sight of the usually stoic man breaking character for that little ray of sunshine. After Willow lets go of Dan, he makes the rounds and greets everyone, slapping Noah on the shoulder and giving me a kiss on the cheek. When he gets to Gabby and she stands up, embracing him with a big squeeze, I don’t miss the way his cheek flush.

“How are your parents?” Rick asks, cutting his turkey.

“They’re good, thanks.” Dan settles into his chair. “They’re in Newcastle until New Year with Bonnie. I really appreciate you having me.”

“Daniel, we wouldn’t have it any other way.” Joan’s face fills with something fiercely protective. It’s clear from the ease at which Dan moves about the room that he’s as much a part of the family as everyone else.

“You’ll be travelling with Noah next year?” Rick asks him.


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