Page 57 of A Cozy Kind of Christmas

FIFTY-FOUR

MEG

The next December, Meg and Johanna scurried around Owen and Jill’s loft.

Everything was ready for the baby shower—the flowers, the food, the decorations, the pile of gifts.

The loft was decked in more holiday lights than Meg had ever seen—they stretched from the rafters, wrapped around the floor-to-ceiling windows, and adorned not one, but two Christmas trees.

Jill tiptoed out of the twins’ nursery, with bleary eyes but a bright grin.

She held a baby monitor in one hand and somehow managed to make her neon-green Grinch ugly sweater look chic.

“You two, this is so festive. You completely outdid yourselves. You didn’t have to go to any extra trouble. Just having you both here is enough.”

“Extra trouble? This?” Meg scoffed, waving her hand toward the red and green balloon arch and peppermint-striped bunting strung from the high exposed-beam ceilings.

The industrial space was a perfect blend of Jill and Owen, with massive windows that provided ample natural light for Jill to paint and a maker’s space for Owen.

A long, open-concept kitchen divided their live-work space.

Colorful modern couches, funky chairs, throw rugs, and coffee and side tables carved by Owen gave the living room a homey feel.

“Meg said we should make it look like Christmas threw up in here, and I think we met the brief.” Johanna echoed the sentiment, carefully stacking gift bags and boxes in a pile.

Her ugly holiday sweater was slightly more refined—a creamy cashmere with gold and silver snowflakes.

She looked relaxed and comfortable. Being her own boss clearly suited her.

“We’ve been plotting and planning for weeks.

It’s been the perfect distraction from the whirlwind of work.

If anyone asks you to launch your own women’s sports network, a word to the wise—run away screaming. Immediately.”

Meg rolled her eyes. “Don’t believe a word she says—she’s been girl-bossing hard and absolutely killing it.”

Johanna rolled her eyes, bumping Meg’s hip dismissively. “She’s just hyping me up.”

“Because it’s true. Numbers don’t lie. I’ve seen your social—everything you posted goes viral instantly.

” Meg centered a bouquet of winter lilies and cranberry roses amongst the food they had arranged on the long counter.

“And just so you know, Jill, this is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Christmas. We’re just getting started.

Wait for the marching band and dancers. They’ll be showing up in…

” She paused and pretended to check her watch. “Twenty minutes.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” Jill scowled playfully, gesturing toward the other room where the twins were napping. “They say never wake a sleeping baby, and definitely never wake two sleeping babies.”

“It’s a good thing I didn’t think of it earlier. I actually may have booked a band, and then you would have murdered me for Christmas.” Meg winked and popped a grape into her mouth.

“How are you feeling?” Johanna asked Jill. “You look amazing. I’d never know you had twins a few months ago.”

“Amazing—ha!” Jill rested the baby monitor on the counter and adjusted the settings so she could keep an eye on the babies.

“I don’t think I’ve slept more than about two hours for the past few months.

I can’t remember the last time I showered, and I’m pretty sure this is spit-up in my hair, but thanks for the vote of confidence and the blatant lie. ”

“It’s not a lie. You’re glowing,” Meg said, reaching for another grape.

“More like sweating.” Jill made a face and then took in the spread.

They’d continued with the holiday theme for the food—pumpkin and mince tarts, a tiered cake in the shape of a Christmas tree with glossy green Swiss buttercream, tea sandwiches, cups of tomato soup and slices of grilled cheese cut out in holiday shapes, and petit fours.

“This is so pretty. Everything looks delicious, and I can’t thank you two and Matt and Connor enough for coming. ”

“Like we would miss it. We are the godparents, after all. I can’t speak for Johanna and Connor, but you’re not getting rid of me or Matt until I get to smooch their chubby little cheeks for at least a few more days.

” Meg was thrilled that Jill had suggested a baby shower after the twins’ arrival.

The timing was perfect with holiday breaks, and it meant everyone got to lend a hand and cuddle the two cutest bundles of joy Meg had ever seen.

Was she biased?

Sure.

Did she care?

No chance.

Jill reached for a cracker and slathered on a healthy dollop of artichoke dip, then glanced toward the maker’s space where Owen was showing Matt and Connor his latest artistic tool—a 3D printer. “Tell me everything. How’s it going in love land?”

“Love land?” Meg scrunched up her face.

Jill bobbed her head and gave Meg a knowing look. “Uh, yeah, you two lovebirds all over each other. You can’t keep your hands off another, and it’s already been almost a year since you made it official.”

Meg blushed. “We’re making up for lost time.”

“Hey, no notes, I’m just so happy for both of you.” Jill munched on the cracker and helped herself to another. Then she turned to Johanna. “What about you and Connor?”

“It’s good,” Johanna admitted. “He’s been with me all the way in starting the network, and shockingly, our female viewership loves that such a well-known sportscaster is focusing on women’s sports. It’s pretty ironic, isn’t it?”

“He’s the best,” Meg said with a sly smile. “Who would have ever pegged you for falling for a sports bro?”

“Not me, but I guess that’s love, right?” Johanna shrugged and changed the subject. “Are you still loving Bend? I need all the juicy details before everyone starts showing up for the party.”

“Honestly, it’s been pretty great.” Meg looked at Matt, feeling the familiar patter of her heartbeat at the sight of his broad shoulders stretching to hang a string of vintage Christmas lights on the other side of the room.

His cheeks had a hint of five-o’clock shadow, and he’d grown his hair out a bit, so his sandy locks swooped over his forehead as he reached toward the ceiling.

He caught her eye and flashed her a playful smile that made her breath catch in her throat.

“It’s just easy. We’ve found a good rhythm.

His podcast is really starting to take off.

He has five sponsors now, and the reviews are great.

People really seem to be resonating with it.

Not that I’d expect anything different. Like Gam says, when you’re on your path of purpose, the energy just flows. ”

“Same for you, yeah?” Jill held up a finger as she finished a bite. “When will I have a hot copy of your novel in my hands?”

Meg was thoughtful for a minute. She couldn’t believe how much had changed in a year or that she had finally realized yet another dream.

The novel needed work—lots of work, but she wasn’t afraid of digging deep and doing however many rewrites it took to turn her first draft into a finished manuscript.

She couldn’t have done it without Matt by her side.

Okay, maybe that wasn’t entirely true. She could have done it, but having him cheer her on this past year had given her a bonus confidence boost. And honestly, it had been fun.

Writing was a new adventure, taking her down unexpected twists and turns, and Matt was all in for the wild ride, the late-night sessions pounding out words on her laptop, bringing her pints of Chunky Monkey ice cream and mochas with extra whip to fuel her word count.

“It’s not done yet. The first draft was decent. But editing is taking more time, which is fine. I’m hoping to finish it while I’m here and have it ready for you and Johanna.”

“I’ve got nothing but time for the next few days. Send me pages!” Johanna practically demanded.

“Yeah, I could use some midnight reading material,” Jill said with a tired smile.

“I’m up all night anyway, so I might as well get some reading done.

Do you think you’ll stay in Bend? And what about your dad?

Have you seen or heard from him lately, and how is the wedding planning going with your mom? ”

“I’m loving Bend for the time being. We both agree that it’s a good match for where we’re at right now.

It’s affordable and allows us opportunities to do things like this—come stay in San Francisco for a few weeks—but who knows?

Maybe we’ll take a page from your and Owen’s book and travel the world next.

Matt can record his podcast from anywhere and the same goes for me. ”

“And your dad?” Jill pressed.

Meg sighed, feeling the lingering swell of regret pass over her.

She’d come to terms with their relationship.

It was fine. She was glad they were in touch, but she doubted they’d ever be able to recapture the closeness they’d once had.

But that was okay, too. It was healthy, and dare she say, adult?

“I’ve seen him a handful of times so far, and it’s awkward.

Matt helps. He’s a good buffer. I wish I could say it was perfect, but I think it always might be a bit strained. ”

Jill nodded and Meg could tell she was waiting for her to say more.

She gave her friend a smile. “It’s good awkward, though.

I wish we could go back in time to how it used to be, but I also realized I idolized him in a way that wasn’t healthy for any of us.

Matt helped me with that. Since my dad has been knocked off the pedestal I put him on, maybe it’s better this way—more real if you know what I mean?

As for my mom, she’s over-the-top with everything regarding the wedding, but I’m just going with it and keeping any snide remarks to myself. ”

“That sounds very healthy and adultish,” Johanna replied.

“Adultish? Since when does Johanna King say ‘adultish’?” Meg wrinkled her brow and stared at her friend like she was speaking a foreign language. “Didn’t you once lecture me for like thirty minutes on how adding ‘ish’ to words made me sound juvenile?”

“Me? Never.” Johanna shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Blame Connor. He’s a terrible influence on my vocabulary.”

“Bad grammar or not, we’re in our thirties now—fully adulting.

It’s a brand-new decade, baby.” Meg scooped Jill and Johanna into a tight hug, feeling grateful for their connection and friendship, and happy to be stepping into this new version of herself.

She’d made plenty of mistakes over the years, but she didn’t regret any of her choices.

They’d all led her to this now moment, as Gam would say.

“I’m ridiculously happy, and I hope you are, too. ”

“The happiest.” Jill beamed at her friends.

“The happy-ish?” Johanna scowled. “No, scratch that.”

Meg squeezed them even harder as her entire body buzzed with a warm coziness, feeling incredibly lucky to be spending the holiday surrounded by everyone she loved. She gave her friends a knowing wink. “To happy endings and next chapters.”

*

If you’ve enjoyed getting swept up in the Christmas spirit with Meg and her friends, you’ll love returning to Bend for more festive fun in Ellie Alexander’s next holiday rom-com, Clued in to Love.

Get it here, or read on for an exclusive extract!