Chapter Twenty
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I’m woken up by thesound of pots and pans clanging together.I sit up from the couch I must have passed out on and look over my shoulder.
“Morning, I didn’t mean to wake you,” Xander says, sliding pancakes on a plate.Everything smells delicious.The coffee is brewed, and some bacon is sizzling in the pan.
“Good morning.What time did you get here?”I ask, yawning and stretching my arms above my head.
“About a half hour after you got home, I couldn’t bear to wake you.You haven’t slept in days.”He forks the bacon from the frying pan and puts it on the plate holding the eggs and pancakes.
I step up behind him and wrap my arms across his stomach, “You better be careful.A girl can get used to this.”I joke and kiss the bare skin of his shoulder.
“Dani called.They are on the way to get your Dad.She said Mom doesn’t want any company today.Let’s let them settle, and they will see us tomorrow.”I take the plate he holds out and retreats to the table with it.
He brings the pot of coffee and fills our cups.
“Mom was talking yesterday about New Year's Eve.Do you have any plans?”I lift the fork to my mouth and glance up.His face blushes.What the fuck is that about?
“Whatever you want to do is fine, but I’m the only one you are kissing at midnight,” he says, shoving a big piece of pancake into his mouth.I can’t help laughing.
“You’re the only one I want to kiss, so there!”I pull the fork back and fling some scrambled eggs in his direction.The commotion erupts, and the laughter fills the apartment as he gets up and chases me around the sofa and into the bedroom.
We fall onto the bed, kissing when the alarm on his phone goes off.
“Shit, I forgot about the teacher’s seminar.”Leaning up so he could run his fingers through his hair.
“You go to work, and I promise, we will bring in the New Year with a bang.”He smirks, kisses me quickly, and then jumps from the bed and leaves the room.
I can’t believe tonight is New Year’s Eve and tomorrow is New Year’s Day already.
*.*.*.
XANDER
I have everything set.We will all be at the Wig Wam for food and drinks and maybe a little dancing.I grab the keys to Kendra’s car and beeline to the parking lot.The store is only open for another twenty minutes, and it takes me fifteen to get there.
I turned on Palisades Avenue and left onto Cedar Lane, glancing at the clock and the rearview mirrors.I step on the gas.
When I pull into the Bergen Town Center, I leap from the car and dash across the parking lot.
Yanking on the glass doors, I enter and am greeted by the sales associate.
“Is it ready?”I huff out, feeling the excitement build.
She nods and brings me to the counter to reveal Kendra’s gift.I hope she loves it as much as I love her.