“You made this the best season ever. I love you,” he says, quiet but loud enough for me to hear above the noise of the crowd.
“I love you too,” I say, so damn glad I took the good guy challenge for this great man.
FINAL EPILOGUE
Ellie
All the stockings are hung by the chimney with care. I adjust one over the mantel, liking the way it looks in my home. Well, it’s almost our home now since Gabe is here nearly every night. Gigi stretches her legs behind her on the couch, posing frog style, the cutie. I walk over, since I can’t resist giving her a little chin scratch. “It looks good, don’t you think?”
It looks fabulous like it always does, I imagine she says.
A few presents sit under a little Christmas tree in the corner of the living room. Most are for Gigi since she loves her stuffed toys. Killing them that is.
Gabe and I decided to donate to each other’s favorite charities as gifts. He picked animal rescue for me, and I picked youth sports for him.
I savor the holiday view for another few seconds, until the sound of his shoes clicking across the floor grows louder. He must have just finished getting ready for the holiday party. He had a practice that ran late.
“Hey sweetheart. You ready?” he calls out.
I turn around and…wow. My guy is looking sharp and sexy in trim jeans and a dark blue button-down shirt. His stubble is working its magic on my libido.
But then again, Gabe works his magic on my libido all the time.
When his gaze meets mine, he stops in his tracks. His eyes roam up and down my body as he whistles in appreciation. “Damn woman,” he says.
I smile at him, pleased he likes what he sees. “Glad you approve,” I say, jutting out my hip. I’m wearing a simple red dress.
The dress isn’t racy. It isn’t showy. But I feel good in it, especially with his gaze on me.
“It’s a wonder I kept my hands off you at that first eggnog party,” he says, closing the distance and putting those fantastic hands all over me, curling them around my hips, sliding up my sides, then around my back.
“Well wonders can cease tonight,” I say. Then I give him a kiss, and when we separate, I say goodnight to Gigi.
My little lady curls up on her the pink dog bed Gabe gave her as we leave. We take off, hopping into my red convertible, to make our way to Aunt Tilly’s eggnog party.
Once we head inside my aunt’s pretty home, my mom sails over to us. She gives me a quick hug then turns immediately to the man by my side. “Gabe! I always knew you were the one for her,” she says.
“You’re a smart woman, Mrs. Snow. And I completely agree with you.”
She pats Gabe on the shoulder. “I knew my Ellie would break the bad boy habit.”
I grin privately. “I sure did.”
Gabe’s father strides over to us next, embracing his son. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen my mom or Gabe’s dad, but it always warms my heart to see Gabe and his father together. He has such a good relationship with his dad and it’s lovely to watch the two of them. After we make small talk for a little bit, his dad asks him, “Pancakes tomorrow? Will you be staying the night?”
Gabe shakes his head apologetically. “Can’t. We weren’t able to get a sitter for Gigi tonight.”
His dad chuckles almost under his breath. “You talk like you have kids.”
Gabe’s all serious when he says, “Well, she’s ours so we have to look out for her.”
His dad smiles. “All right. I get it.”
We make the rounds, chatting with family and friends as the night unfolds, enjoying this party together, side by side. But later, as we grab our things to go, we walk under the mistletoe. In a flash, Gabe tugs me against him.
“Just like that night,” he murmurs.
“I have such fond memories of that night,” I say.