“You’ll be an awesome mom.” I hug her again and feel relief as she laughs.
“Hey, you two, we’re waiting to open presents.” We turn to see Taylor standing there with his hands on his hips. “And the grannies are at it again. We need you out there ASAP.”
I put my arm around Julie and we make our way to the living room, hearing a heated discussion between the grandmothers.
“I’m just saying the money is wasted on that ratty old museum. We need new bingo balls and a new paint job on the community center.”
“Ratty old museum? How dare you talk like that about such a place? It is a wealth of information for the population of our town. Bingo balls are a frivolous waste of money, and I will definitely veto it.”
“And I will vote for it, and so will my friends. The money will be ours.”
“Ah, thank goodness. Here they are. Julie, Dora, we’re ready to open presents, so take a seat,” Mom says, looking frazzled.
“First, Julie and Kevin have some exciting news.”
Everyone’s attention focuses on Julie and me, and Julie motions for Kevin to join us. “As our second family, we want to tell you all some great news we recently found out.” Julie swallows hard and the good old tears are back.
“What Julie is trying to say,” Kevin takes her hand and gently squeezes it, “is that we’re going to have a baby.”
A little lump forms in my throat as I see the joy and love in Kevin’s eyes as he looks at his wife. Little niggles of jealousy momentarily blind me, or it might just be these tears, but then I push them away as the room erupts with congratulations followed by a massive hugging session. Blinking away the tears, I find Drew’s eyes glued to mine, and for a brief moment I wonder what kind of father he’d be.
“Well, that was fun.” Jeff turns to look at me in the backseat.
“It’s always fun at the Phillips’ house. Never normal, but always fun.” I’m so drowsy, and the comfy leather seat makes me want to take a nap.
“I love your family. I can’t thank them enough for allowing me to join all of you. I think this is the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”
Drew’s sexy deep voice makes me sit up straighter. Wait. Why am I thinking about his sexy voice when this poor guy just admitted he’s never had a good Christmas? How utterly sad. I wish I could hug him right now, but I don’t think that would be wise since he’s driving.
“Really? The best? Man, I’m sorry. Well, I don’t know what to say.” Jeff, Mr. Always Knows What to Say, is at a loss for words. I so wish Julie was here to witness this.
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. I’d apologize for the grandmothers, but you knew what you were in for. And, Drew, I love my present. It’s beautiful.” I do love the silver necklace he gave me. It’s an intricate silver design wrapped around a turquoise ball that chimes when I move. “Does it have a meaning?”
Drew laughs, which is a wonderful sound to my ears. What kind of childhood did this guy have when spending a Christmas with people he met only a few months ago is the best he’s ever had? I really need to find out how I’m supposed to help him. I’m most definitely calling Mom tomorrow. We need to pump Henry for more info. Every gift Drew gave out today brought joy to each and every one of us. I’m so confused. He’s projects this image of being a big player, and yet he’s so incredibly sweet and thoughtful at the same time.
“No, it’s just something I saw and I thought of you,” he replies, but I have a sneaking suspicion that he’s not being completely honest with me.
I don’t want to get out of the warm car when we get home. I know it’s only a few steps to the elevator, but the parking garage is freezing and I’m already shivering when Drew opens my door and to let me out. With teeth chattering, I practically run to the elevator, leaving Jeff and Drew following, carrying our Christmas haul in their arms.
“I need to move to a tropical island,” I grumble through pursed lips. “I’m so over cold weather. I love the other three seasons, but winter needs to take a hike.”
“You just need to grow a thicker skin. You’re such a wimp.” Jeff nudges me and Drew dazzles me with a smile. Yep, I said dazzle—see what the cold does to me? I might also be thinking I’d love for him to warm me up too.
Oh lord, I’m losing it majorly. One minute I want to comfort him, and the next I want to make out with him furiously.
“Since we have our arms full, do you think you could open the door for us, or are your hands numb from the cold?” Sarcasm so suits Jeff. He can see I have my gloves on. I pull out the old-fashioned key and open my door, leading Santa’s little helpers into the room beyond.
“Do you want a beer, Drew?” Jeff asks, opening the fridge.
He pulls two out as Drew nods. I loathe beer. It tastes nasty. I don’t care what brand it is, it all tastes like shit. No, I haven’t tasted shit, but it’s what I think it might taste like. Give me wine or a fruity mixed drink and I’m there. Or at least I was until my last bout with wine where I lost miserably.
“I’m going to take a shower,” Jeff says after taking a gulp from the bottle. “Try not to gossip about me while I’m away, okay?”
“Aww, you take all the fun out of it,” I reply. “But really, we have more enjoyable and entertaining topics to discuss. It’s not all about you.”
He chuckles and closes the bathroom door. The silence is deafening. All of a sudden, I don’t know what to say to Drew. Awkward? Check. We’ve never been alone before, and I think I finally know the meaning of “cat got your tongue?” because mine is MIA.
“Would you like some hot chocolate?” Drew’s voice startles me, and I turn around to see him leaning up against the fridge, looking solemn. Does he feel as awkward as I do right now? No, how could he, he has women eating out of his hands all the time. Yet for some reason I get the feeling he is as nervous as I am.
“I’d love some, but I don’t have any.”
“I have a stash of gourmet mixes that I received in a basket from my agent, and I’d be willing to share.” He pushes away from the fridge and opens the door into the main loft.
I follow behind him. I can think of several other ways we could warm up, but my face just warmed up enough for the both of us. Damn my red hair and fair complexion. I feel my skin grow even warmer as I watch Drew’s tight derriere making its way into the kitchen.
For the love of baloney and cheese, Dora, pull yourself together and quit thinking about naked butts. Oh heavens, his butt isn’t naked. It’s encased in a tight pair of butt-loving jeans.
My temperature soars to a new high, and I stop following Drew’s butt and plop down on the nearest sofa. What I wouldn’t give for a handful of snow right about now.
“Almost ready. I picked French vanilla and double milk chocolate with tiny marshmallows. Is that okay?”
“Perfect,” I croak out.
My current state has affected my vocal cords. I’m a mess, a total mess. I haven’t whined this much in years. I used to be a person who was grounded and boring. Boring boyfriends, boring sex, and a boring life, and now all I can think about are penises and butts. What’s next? Hot kinky sex? Sadism? Masochism? Bondage? Nope. I have a low tolerance for pain, and I’d be too chicken to dish it out. Okay, so I may punch Kevin and Jeff occasionally when they act like morons, but no, kinky sex will definitely not make it on my bucket list.
I hear Drew clear his throat and look up to find him standing beside me holding a mug that reads, “Models do it model perfect.”