Tangled in Tinsel (Holidates #1)(62)

“Reed?” I say quietly, but he looks back over his shoulder with that perfectly patented smirk just as the sound of the door unlocking fills the room.

Smirking faces become Reed’s backdrop as he winks at me.

“Come on, sunshine. Fun’s over. We’ve got a surprise for you…it is the eve of Christmas Eve, after all.”





I can’t speak. Or move. Or anything. I just keep looking around the living room as I squeeze Reed’s hand. The one that hasn’t stopped holding mine ever since we walked out of the bedroom.

“You guys,” I breathe out, smiling.

Mismatched sheets are strung up like sails around the living room, making a cozy tent just big enough for the five of us. It’s adorned with twinkle lights stolen from the tree, and inside the tent is quite possibly every fluffy pillow and cashmere blanket in this house.

Oh my god, they even have popcorn and wine in there. It’s the most magical thing I’ve ever seen.

I let go of Reed’s hand, bringing mine to my neck, feeling the flush growing. I’m so overwhelmed that I’m almost speechless. My face shifts to Reed’s.

“You built me a grown-up-sized fort.”

He grins. “Technically, they built it while I made you come.”

My palms land on his chest, steadying me as I lift to my tiptoes and kiss his chin.

“Thank you for doing your part.”

He grins as Jace takes my hand, leading me closer to the sheet-swept entrance.

“Cutie, you were so disappointed about the possibility of missing out on your tradition, we thought we’d bring it to you.”

Alec tucks my hair behind my ear, kissing my forehead and adding, “There’s a television inside. For all your Christmas movie needs. And your sister is waiting for you to FaceTime her. She’s been waiting most of the day, but we didn’t want to wake you.”

“What?” I exhale.

I blink, lowering my head to see the soft glow of a movie already playing before shifting between them. My mouth opens then closes, not knowing what to say.

“This is… I don’t know what to say… You are the sweetest men. Thank you.”

I’m smiling so bright I bet it could be seen through the window. Cole steps closer, taking my hand and kissing the top.

“Merry Christmas, baby.”





twenty-four





“Do they even have missing kid pictures on the side of milk anymore?”





It’s almost pitch-black sans the glow from the one strand of Christmas lights we left on, coupled with the wink from the sun as it starts to rise. The fire went out ages ago, but our den of sin has kept me warm. I take a quiet deep breath, feeling too much.

It’s officially Christmas Eve.

I anticipated feeling down after missing the kickoff of my family festivities. But that’s not what I feel because last night left its mark.

After Eleanor and I watched one of our favorites, she made Jace show her his tattoos. She’s such a whore. But the guys indulged her, making both of us laugh. They even sat and listened as we speculated about who’d get the sloppiest at Christmas dinner this year—our train wreck of an uncle or our grandmother who still wears six-inch heels at the age of eighty-five. The more she drinks, the more she leans until she’s the living embodiment of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Nobody knows how she doesn’t topple.

Even with all the embarrassing stories, the night was perfect, actually better, because the moment I ended the call, I was fucked, twice.

I smile thinking about it. And thinking about how much we laughed. It was a ridiculous amount. If this were a movie, this would be when they cut to the flashback showing us throwing popcorn as Alec hauled me into his lap to use me as a shield.

We’d be a replica of happiness. The kind of couple goals everyone hides on their secret Pinterest boards. The only difference is that my photo has four guys.

Another long breath breezes past my lips.

“Fuck,” I whisper, staring at the tiny bulb of blurred-out light, adjusting my head closer to Cole’s arm.

Jace’s arm slips around my waist, his naked body flush with my back. His deep voice whispers from behind, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Why are you up?”

I roll over. Our faces are so close that it’s almost hard to focus on his.

“Hi,” I whisper dreamily.

He smiles, rubbing his nose against mine before pulling back.

“So, are you going to tell me what’s on your mind?”

“Nothing.” I grin.

“Oh, come on, I may not have history with you, but here’s what I know from this weekend. When you’re nervous, you ramble.” I chuckle, snuggling closer as he speaks, even though my arms are folded against my chest. “And when you’re thinking, you’re quiet, you lock yourself away with your thoughts. But wild thoughts are always going on inside that mind of yours—they’re practically written all over your face.”

“No, they aren’t.”

He smirks. “You, cutie, are an open book.”

A small frown grows on my face. “That’s funny. My whole life, I’ve been told the opposite. My sister always says I’m unreadable.”

Jace kisses me sweetly. “Then I’m happy you let your guard down. Because you’re pretty fucking amazing.”