The Plight Before Christmas(96)

Thatch’s jaw drops as Brenden’s face contorts in disgust.

“Sorry, Brenden, but they didn’t have two kids by immaculate conception. Jesus is an only child.”

“How the hell do you know this?” Thatch asks.

“Because though I’m not at all proud of it, I’ve been eavesdropping on every conversation in this house since I got here. I’ve been trying to learn as much about Whitney as I can to figure out a way to earn a place back in her life. It was wrong, and I’m only partially sorry about it. But, my reasoning for it is after seventeen years apart—I’m pretty sure I’m still in love with her.”

I address a wide-eyed Brenden first. “If I succeed in winning her back, I might hurt her because life is fucking unpredictable, and there are no guarantees, but I swear to God I’ll do everything in my power not to. And I might as well toss in that I figured out you were her brother during our first week working together—not when I saw the picture in your living room. I took it as a sign and kept hoping for a chance meeting. When it didn’t happen, I got impatient and hinted for an invitation just for the chance to see her again.” I turn to Thatch. “I’m ready to earn my place at the table. Whitney knows none of this, and I don’t want her hearing it from anyone but me. If by a Christmas miracle I manage to pull it off and win her back, I’ll have my work cut out for me to earn back her trust. She’s not going to make it easy, but your individual solutions seem pretty cut and dried. Earmuffs, Brenden,” I say pointedly.

I pause, giving Brenden ample time to tune out, but his jaw only lowers further as I turn back to Thatch. “Fuck the hell out of your wife, and while you do it, shower her with affection. And do yourself a solid by not ever asking her what’s for dinner, ever again. That goes for both of you.”

I flit my gaze back to Brenden.

“Move Erin home, and in doing so, you’ll show her that her happiness is more important to you than anything else. Oh, and slide your hat backward next time you get a chance. It’s a major turn-on for her.”

Brenden and Thatch gape at me as I smack an Allen wrench in Brenden’s palm. “Ruby and Allen still have sex, and from the sound of it, good sex, so your winky is probably safe. If Dad’s still going strong in his sixties,” I give him a wink, “that should give you some hope.”




Mouthwatering smells drift in from the kitchen, where Ruby remains hard at work as Whitney and Gracie perform the rehearsed Tik Tok dance Gracie has been drilling Whitney on for the last half hour. Serena grins as she records the duo on her phone. Whitney swivels her hips perfectly in time with the music, her face coated in heavy makeup that she let Gracie cake on before they recorded—which only endears her further to me.

It’s clear she would do anything for her family, even if it included embarrassing herself on the internet for her niece. This type of devotion attracted me to her in the past and remains a part of her make up.

We haven’t had a second alone today due to her helping Ruby prep the Christmas Eve feast, cookie decorating with the kids, and helping Serena and Erin wrap. All of this happening before Allen’s airtight planned festivities for the night. Even so, I’ve shamelessly studied her every chance I’ve gotten. The pull is still so fucking there, as it has been from day one.

“She’s looking at you again,” Thatch nudges me from where he sits next to me on the couch, remote in hand as he pretends to flip through the channels while on watch. He’s been nothing but enthusiastic about me making progress with Whitney since my confession in the garage.

“Appreciate you looking out,” I say with a chuckle.

After their third take, Gracie plays the footage back, seemingly satisfied as Whitney collapses in a dining room chair, sweaty and breathless.

She catches my eyes as I scour her in jeans, a form-fitting sweater, and her elf slippers. Her eyes light as I slowly sweep her, and I swear I can read her thoughts as she stares back at me.

Dare I think we’re flirting?

Conner quickly steals her attention away, asking for help. Disappointment crosses her features briefly before she pulls Conner into her lap and begins aiding her in outlining a sugar cookie.

When her golden gaze again finds mine, I bite my lip and get the desired effect when her own lips lift into a sultry smile.

Yeah, we most definitely are flirting.

The familiar electricity zings through me as warmth spreads through my chest.

Something’s changed…shifted between us since last night and this morning. She seems more open to me now. Somehow the door I was sure was sealed shut is now cracked. Could my confession last night have rocked her that much? How will she react when I’m finally able to dole out the rest of the truth?

I don’t want to chance it right now, not when the vibe we have going is this good. I wonder if it’s possible to get her to agree to a second chance without first giving her my full confession. If so, that would be more than I could ever ask and more than I should. Is she really capable of forgiving me without it? At the moment, it feels possible.

“No, son,” Allen barks at Brenden as he steps back, inspecting the lights Brenden strung above the karaoke machine. Allen is serious about his backdrop since I’ve heard the word at least a dozen times since they started setting up an hour ago.

“Annnnd she’s looking at you again,” Thatch draws out, pulling another laugh from me. “So, what are you going to do? What’s your plan?”