Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
I felt myself blushing.
“You okay?” Josh asked.
“Yeah. Neil is so nice. Your entire family is awesome.”
Josh looked really handsome tonight in a fitted maroon sweater. I wanted to dig my fingernails into it. I was the one who’d created this no-further-sex rule, but it’d been tough to stick to it. I wanted Josh every second of every day, and tonight was no exception.
His eyes fell to my cleavage. My little red dress might’ve left too little to the imagination for a family affair. I’d caught Josh checking me out numerous times tonight, and each time, it gave me a thrill. Though I’d vowed not to let anything happen between us, I still craved his attention and any confirmation of his desire. It was my one consolation prize.
He cleared his throat as he once again pried his eyes upward. “Vanessa wanted me to let you know we’re about to exchange gifts.”
“Oh, cool.”
I took my drink and followed Josh into the living room, sitting next to him on the smaller of the two sofas. The heat of his thigh warmed my skin as he sat close to me, and I felt it right between my legs. Taking a long sip of my martini, I hoped to numb the torturous feeling.
Vanessa sat on the ground in the middle of the room with a giant bag full of all of the Secret Santa gifts. A few of them had been wrapped in buffalo-plaid paper that matched her pajamas.
She reached inside the bag. “Okay, I’m gonna pass these gifts out, and then we’re gonna go around the room and take turns opening.”
Josh’s dad, Tom, was first up. He was the person I’d been assigned. Josh had told me his dad was an avid fisherman, so I’d bought him some gear from Bass Pro Shops. I got goose bumps as I watched him open his present, really hoping he wasn’t disappointed.
After Mr. Mathers realized the items were from me, he stood and gave me a hug. “Carly, I couldn’t have picked a better present myself. Thank you, darling. How did you know what I like?”
“A little bird told me.” I glanced over at Josh, who was grinning at us.
His dad seemed like a sweet guy, and it angered me that his wife had done him and their sons so wrong. I’d grown up without a dad around, so I appreciated what a good father Josh and his brothers had.
Vanessa was next to open her gift: a basket of Starbucks coffee and various mugs. “My husband knows me so well.” She got up to give Michael a kiss. “The nearest Starbucks is forty minutes away,” she explained to me. “So it’s like a field trip whenever I get to go.”
Next, Scottie opened his present from Vanessa: a brand-new Kindle Fire tablet. As if he needed another device. But apparently, she knew that was the quickest way to his heart. He could never have enough electronics.
“Just in case all of the others run out of batteries at once, Scottie.” She grinned.
He had several others with him tonight, but Scottie examined the new device with great interest. She’d already loaded it with many of his favorite apps. Josh must’ve helped her with that.
Next, the kids opened their gifts. They’d been assigned each other. Max had bought Maya clothes from Hollister, and she’d gotten him a gift card to a gaming store and some candy.
When it was my turn, there were only a few possibilities left for my Secret Santa. When I opened the card atop my box, I was giddy to find that it said: To Carly from Josh. A warm and fuzzy feeling came over me. I wondered if the dice had landed this way, or if Josh had pulled some strings.
I’d thought my heart was full a second ago, but when I opened the small box, I wondered if it might burst. Inside was a silver bracelet with a number of charms. I looked at each of them closely—a little house, a dog, ice cream...and a lemon. Many of our “things.” But what touched me the most was the charm of three people holding hands: a girl between two guys. My first instinct was to think Josh, Brad, and me, crazy as that was. But that didn’t make sense. It was Scottie, Josh, and me. Our makeshift family that was about to be disbanded.
“Josh, this is…” I couldn’t find the words to express how sweet this was.
“I figured I’d immortalize this crazy time since it’s about to come to an end.”
“It’s beautiful. Thank you.” My eyes began to water. “Truly, the best thing I could’ve received.”
“You’re welcome.” His eyes found mine. “I’m so happy you love it.”
All eyes in the room seemed to be on us as I reached for him, wrapping my arms around his neck. I wondered if my struggle to fend off my feelings was as obvious to others as it felt to me.