James pulled into the garage and helped the ladies with their luggage. Alice strode ahead to plug in the Christmas tree and start a pot of tea. “Anyone in the mood for a Christmas movie and some tea?”
“That sounds heavenly,” Addison agreed, tossing her bags in the guest room before falling onto the couch, limbs splayed all over three cushions. She made enough room for Chloe to join her, causing James to laugh.
“Wow, Addy. You really are a couch hog.”
“You should see how she hogs the covers,” Chloe teased.
James clapped. “I knew it! There was no way you weren’t a blanket hog.”
Addison pulled herself upright and eased back into one cushion. “All right, you’ve all made your points.” She took Chloe’s hand and kissed her palm. She whispered something only Chloe could hear, causing her to turn a worrisome shade of violet.
Alice emerged with a plate of cookies. “I managed to hide these from Otis.” Behind them, the kettle sang its tune.
“I’ll grab the tea. Everyone drinking?”
Chloe beamed. “Yes, please!”
Addison huffed. “Do you have anything stronger? We just witnessed the miracle of life, and, frankly, I need something to take the edge off.”
Alice popped a cookie in her mouth and headed back to the kitchen. “That’s actually a good point, Addy. I’m still drinking tea, but I might start with a little of the good stuff.” She retrieved a nice vintage malbec and sauntered up to Addison.
“You open, I’ll pour,” Addison promised, lining up their glasses.
Chloe ate a cookie in silence, tucking her legs under herself. “I’m impressed, by everyone here.”
James joined them, sliding mugs across the coffee table. “How so?”
“I don’t know. I guess it’s the sense of community. A woman’s water broke in the middle of Christmas dinner, and everyone jumped to attention.” She snapped her fingers. “Just like that. No hesitating, no pausing for selfies, you all just sprang into action.”
Alice cocked her head. “In fairness, these were her friends and family.”
“I think Chloe’s right.” Addison nodded, sipping from her glass. “This was more than friends helping friends. I felt like everyone stepped up without thinking.”
“If that happened in New York, there’d be some asshole with their phone trying to go viral,” Chloe said, with more venom than anyone expected.
“Wow, babes. I didn’t know you were so against New Yorkers all of a sudden.” Addison blinked in surprise.
Chloe shrugged, her attention back on the plate of cookies. “I don’t hate New York, but sometimes I miss the quiet times.” She gestured around her. “Like this, don’t you just want to have a quiet life with your wife?”
At the mention of wives, both James and Alice stilled. Alice’s eyes darted to her husband in a silent question ofDo you know something I don’t?!
James shook his head, nearly choking on a cookie. “You ladies want to tell us anything?”
Addison slowly sat up, knocking her cushion to the floor. “Chloe?”
Chloe looked at their friends before snagging Addison’s gaze. “I, uh, wasn’t going to say anything until we were alone.”
“Oh my God!” Addison exclaimed, jumping to her feet and sprinting to the guestroom before anyone could breathe. Her footfalls disappeared down the hallway until they heard the door slam shut.
Alice, James, and Chloe all sat in stunned silence, their jaws on the floor. “I didn’t think she’d literally run from the idea of marrying me,” Chloe muttered, dropping her head to her chest. She took a few long breaths before reaching out for Addison’s wine glass, downing it in two long gulps. With trembling fingers, she slid the glass back onto the coffee table and groaned. “I’ve been planning on proposing for years, and when I finally get the courage, I muck it up.”
Alice wordlessly refilled the glass, pressing it into Chloe’s hand. Turning to James, she mouthed, “What the hell do we do now?” James merely blinked in response, as if he’d swallowed his tongue.
Finally, the sound of a door opening echoed down the hall. Addison rejoined them in the living room. Her hands were balled into fists at her sides, her gaze anywhere but on Chloe.
For her part, Chloe looked mortified and took another pull from the wine glass. “Look, Addy, I shouldn’t have ...” But her words were cut off as Addison strode forward, slowly dropping down to one knee.
“I will admit,” Addison said, licking her lips and catching her breath, “I had a better plan than this.” She brought her balled hand up and opened it, revealing a white gold band studded with emeralds, Chloe’s birthstone.
