Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
But the food temporarily draws my eyes away from him. “This is incredible.” There are conservative portions—just enough for three large men and me—of more dishes than I can count: individual shrimp cocktails, a plate of stuffed mushrooms, little triangles of puff pastry that appear to hold cranberry and a creamy white cheese, skewers with tomato, mozzarella, and basil … it goes on and on.
“You should have warned me not to eat lunch,” I tell Thorn. “Can I help you with anything?”
“No, it’s all set. I just needed this garnish.” He sprinkles the chopped herbs onto twice-baked potatoes, the bright green providing a perfect contrast to the creamy cheese and bacon, and then steps close to give me a kiss.
I’m torn between craving the food and craving him.
“Where’s your wine opener?” Kai asks as Thorn and I pull apart. He’s holding two bottles in his hand, one white and one red.
“Top drawer, to the left of the refrigerator.” Thorn hands me a small bowl of spiced pecans. “Could you take this into the dining room?”
There, I find Gage lighting the final candle in a cluster of votives housed in glass cylinders of varying heights. They’re the perfect accent to a beautifully understated table set in red and silver. I can’t help but think how elegant this would look at a winter wedding banquet.
“Hi there.” Gage’s arms come around me as soon as I set down the dish.
“Hi yourself.” His kiss is warm and tender.
I tilt my head toward the kitchen. “Does Thorn cook like this for the two of you every Christmas?”
Gage’s laugh rumbles up from his chest as he shakes his head. “This is all for you, love.”
Love.
The word echoes in my head as Thorn and Kai come in, their arms laden with platters, and it continues to play on my mind throughout our holiday meal, though the delicious food does a good job of keeping me in the moment at least some of the time.
“You really should consider doing this for a living.” I tell Thorn as I hold up a savory bacon-wrapped scallop before making it disappear in my mouth.
He grins back at me. “I’ve thought about it.”
“It’s really wonderful how all three of you are putting your special talents to use in the world.”
“You say that as if the same isn’t true for you.” Gage’s foot finds mine under the table, giving me a private caress.
“I don’t have any talents,” I scoff.
“What about your organizational skills, and the beautifully detailed wedding celebrations you orchestrate?” Thorn says.
“Talents and abilities aren’t the same thing.” It’s possible that the wine Thorn has paired with each course is having a bit of a depressive effect on me, but it could also be the thought that’s been in the back of my mind since we sat down: I may never celebrate Christmas with these men again, not like this. Even if I manage to remain friends with them after I move back to Atlanta—if I move back to Atlanta—things will never be the same.
LEXY
Kai’s been watching me closely, and I wait for him to jump in and argue, because he rarely passes up an opportunity, but he remains quiet, his eyes looking … troubled, if I had to label what I see there.
“You are very talented,” Gage says, reaching for my hand this time and giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“Would anyone like more to drink?” Thorn asks, rising from his chair. “I’m going to open another bottle of the red.”
I shake my head. “I’d better stop. In fact, I’m not sure I can eat another bite either. Who wants more ham?” Both Kai and Gage reach for the small slices that remain on my plate.
I’m always amazed how much these three men can put away. As kids, Kai and Thorn in particular were picky eaters, even with their mom’s great cooking, but their appetites have definitely grown. I suppose it takes a lot to fuel bodies that look like theirs.
“I don’t suppose you want to go out for New Year’s?” Kai says after swallowing a big bite, just as Thorn returns with a fresh bottle of wine.
“What will you be doing?” I ask.
“Whatever you want to do,” Gage says.
“We usually spend it on the Strip. They close it down to traffic. There are fireworks and all sorts of madness. It’s pretty wild,” Kai says.
“Sounds like it.”
“We can stay in, if you’d prefer,” Thorn says. “And there can still be all sorts of madness.” He flashes a wicked grin, letting me know exactly what kind of wild activities he’s suggesting.
They’re aiming to make New Year’s plans with me, and I’m aiming to go to my mom’s and make plans for how to break up with them. It feels cruel not to tell them how I’m feeling about things, but I don’t want to put a dark mood on this nice dinner.