Only Mine (Honey Mountain #5)(74)

“I agree. And it’s the best one you’ve ever had.” Ashlan clapped her hands together.

“I can’t believe he doesn’t annoy you. That’s unheard of for you,” Charlotte said over her laughter.

“Oh, he annoys me plenty. I just sort of—like it. I’m bothered when he isn’t annoying me.” I took another sip of wine.

“Well, I don’t see anyone using the safe word any time soon,” Everly said. “And don’t overthink it. You’re happy. This doesn’t make you less independent or less driven or less anything—you can love a man and still be you.”

My mouth fell open, and I leaned forward to whisper. “Do not use the L-word. Jeez. That’s as bad as the W-word.”

Everyone was laughing, per usual, but I didn’t find this funny at all.

“You mean the W. I. N. X. word?” Vivian could barely get the letters out as she chuckled uncontrollably.

“There’s nothing wrong with having feelings for someone,” Ashlan said, her eyes full of empathy.

“Okay. I’m done talking about this. I’ll see you guys in two days for Thanksgiving. I’m going to call in for some takeout for me and my non-boyfriend, who I do not love. I actually tell him that I hate him every night before bed. And he hates me, too. This is what works for us.”

More laughter and a few eye rolls, and we said our goodbyes.

Did I love Wolf Wayburn? Yes.

But no one needed to know that.

Not my sisters and not Wolf.

I was still processing the fact that I was in love with this man.

Now I just had to figure out what to do about it.





Thanksgiving brunch at the Wayburns’ was what I imagined a holiday gathering was like at Buckingham Palace. They were throwing a small, intimate brunch for forty people. In my world, that was normally called a potluck or a barbecue.

But they’d extended the table to seat forty people, and their chef was doing all the cooking.

It was colder than usual for this time of year, and I’d worn the new cream sweaterdress that Wolf had bought me. He’d surprised me yesterday with the beautiful dress and some tall, gorgeous, brown leather boots that came just past my knees and ended at the bottom of my thighs, to go with it. The gesture had been unexpected. Apparently, he’d gone shopping with Sabine, and he claimed he saw the dress and the boots and thought of me, and he knew I’d been working long hours and wouldn’t have time to shop. He then followed that by saying it was no big deal at all.

It didn’t mean anything.

Brenton, a man who worked for the Wayburns, whom I’d met when we’d come by for lunch last weekend, was greeting people at the door, and he took our coats.

There was a large Christmas tree in the entryway, and it was covered in white and silver ornaments with white twinkle lights.

Gweny appeared with her silver tray filled with glasses of what looked like champagne and orange juice.

Wolf kissed her cheek, and she smiled at me. “I’m so happy to see you two spending the holidays together.”

“It’s no big deal. We’ve all got to eat turkey, right?” Wolf said, his voice even, but his finger wrapped around mine for a brief couple of seconds as the words left his mouth.

The man was so confusing, and the mixed messages were starting to bother me.

He was attentive and thoughtful most days, but he also always made it clear that none of it meant anything.

And normally, I wouldn’t care.

But for whatever reason, I cared.

I cared a lot.

And I hated it.

Because what we shared—it meant something to me.

And that pissed me off.

I reached for a glass and took a sip. “Thank you so much, Gweny. I hope you get to spend some time with your family today.”

“Ah, yes. I’m heading home at two o’clock, and we’ll be eating turkey and stuffing shortly after.” She smiled before walking away.

“I’m so happy to see you, Dylan. My friend, Dylan, who I like so much,” Miranda sang out, appearing out of nowhere and startling me a bit.

“Hey, Miranda. Happy Thanksgiving.” I hugged her tight. The girl was quirky, but I liked her so much. I appreciated people who marched to the beat of their own drums, and Miranda did exactly that. She hugged Wolf, and he had a genuine smile on his face while she held the hug with him a little longer than most would. I noticed that when Wolf smiled and laughed, it was usually when we were alone or when he was around his family. I got it. I was the most comfortable in my own skin when I was with my family. The most at peace.

We clearly had that in common.

We were chatting with Miranda when Wolf’s mom, Natalie, came around the corner. “Dylan, I’m so thrilled you could join us.”

When she hugged me, it reminded me of the way my mom used to hug me. I felt all that warmth and love. This woman didn’t know me all that well, but she acted like she’d known me my entire life. And I liked it.

A lump formed in my throat when I pulled away, and I found Wolf watching me. His gaze narrowed, and he looked concerned.

I forced a smile. “I’m so happy to be here. Thank you for having me.”

She moved toward her son, but his gaze never left mine as he hugged her. Gweny called Natalie away, and she told us she’d be back shortly, and Miranda excused herself to use the restroom.