“I think he’s adorable.” Alicia stands and walks to Kayla.
I must admit, it makes me a little uncomfortable, so I stand to follow her. Ghost is hot at my feet because he doesn’t like the idea of sharing our Alicia with a dang moose.
When she notices our movements, she stops me with her hand. “Wait there. Frank doesn’t get along with dogs.” She smiles sadly at Ghost. “Sorry, buddy. I still love you.”
Ghost lets out a loud growl, turns around, and walks back toward…Justin. Fucking Justin.What happened with this family constantly stealing my dog?
“Thank you!” Kayla exclaims with a laughter when the “adorable” moose gives her sloppy kisses everywhere he can reach.
I turn toward Justin. “Will she take a shower after?”
“I sure as fuck hope so.” He eyes widen and he shudders. Mr. Attleborough laughs.
The atmosphere lightens up, thanks to “adorable” Frank. We all go about business while Alicia and Kayla are doting over Frank. On any other occasion, I’d pull my phone and do some internet surfing, but here, right now, is what I was dreaming about since I was a little kid. A normal family. A little crazy, sometimes a lot, but the perfect one.
I look around the room and notice no one pulled out their devices. Everyone’s engaged in conversations or checking out their gifts.
My woman is laughing as Frank gives her a long lick on her cheek, and I laugh, hoping she’ll take a shower too. I don’t feel like kissing Frank.
A low chuckle comes from Mr. Attleborough, and I glance at him, noticing him giving me an approving nod. I smile back and settle in the comfy leather chair with my dog by my feet and my woman laughing happily—at something a wild beast snorts to her—surrounded by her friends and family with no more demons to haunt her dreams.
That’s the definition of perfect Christmas for me, the one I saw on a postcard but never thought I’d be a part of. Until her. The woman who gave me everything.
Epilogue
MARK
It’s been two days since Christmas, and we’re moving Alicia back to her place, even though we both know she’ll end up staying at mine.
Justin understands it too. The moment she mentioned she’d be moving back, he tried to convince her to stay, shooting me nasty looks from across the room. I simply scratched my beard with my middle finger, and he picked his nose with his middle finger, making his father laugh.
“Leave them alone already,” he said to Justin, rolling his eyes.
“Fine.” He sulked, but no trace of malice was in his voice. It’s like Justin wouldn’t be Justin without being an asshole. Everyone understands that, including Alicia, who just rolled her eyes like her father, flipping him off too. That’s my girl.
I carry her boxes to my truck so we can finally get moving and get her to my place, where she can be as loud as she wants. Mary and George come out to say their good-byes. Everyone hugs. Justin sends me a customary threatening stare and a smack on the shoulder. Kayla kisses my cheeks, secretly wiping tears away, and we finally get the hell out.
Don’t get me wrong; I absolutely love her family, and I will never forget how they made me feel like one of them, but Alicia and I also have a lot to talk about. We need to discuss what we want, and I need to find courage to say what I want.
While Alicia chats away—I’ve never heard her talk so much, and I absolutely love it—I make a small detour to Donna’s coffee shop. She has some secret recipe for Alicia’s favorite chestnut praline latte.
I park the car, tell Alicia I’ll be right back, and run inside. Three minutes later, I’m back in the car with the largest cup of her favorite coffee in hand.
She takes the cup from me and narrows her eyes suspiciously. “What do you want?”
“What do you mean?” I ask innocently, blinking at her.
She looks at the cup. “You brought me my favorite coffee while I know you’d rather go home and fuck like rabbits. It’s like a thirty-minute detour.” She looks back at me. “What do you want?”
I’ve been caught. “Take a sip first.” I smile, and she squints even more. “C’mon, you want to.” I laugh.
She inhales the aroma and closes her eyes. “Cheater.” Then she takes a sip and moans. I love her moans. I love everything about her. With closed eyes, she asks, “Fine, what do you want?”
“Another sip?” I suggest, and her eyes fly open.
“Oh my gosh, Mark!”
“Don’t think I don’t know that you feed me before asking something I might not like!” She has the decency to look guilty, because her cheeks and the tip of her nose turn pink. Perfect timing. “Move in with me.”
