Page 107 of Perfect Assumption

“Nothing.”

“Exactly. There’s only one thing I can give him he really wants.”

Remembering the way Ward removed every inch of clothing, not leaving an inch of my skin untouched by his lips, I shiver.

“There’s one thing you should know,” Carys cautions me.

Uh-oh. I focus on her. She rips my coat out of my arms and hands it to an attendant, with our thanks. Turning to face me, she grabs and holds up two magnificent sets from a random rack—one in a deep blue trimmed in ecru lace and the other reversed. “God, everything’s so beautiful. How will I choose?” I wonder how quickly my credit card company will call me to ask me if my card was stolen.

“One way to narrow it down is simple: size. Not everything in the store will fit you, and there are no duplicates based on size.”

My eyes widen. “So you mean, if it’s not in my size…”

“It never will be. So, let’s get you measured and with a salesperson.” Carys grabs my hand.

I dig my heels into the carpet. Carys shoots me a quizzical look. “Will you stay with me for that part?” The idea of a stranger touching me still makes my stomach churn, despite the way Ward’s fingers and lips have danced over my skin.

But that’s Ward.

Carys’s eyes soften. “You bet.”

Shortly after I’m measured over a silk robe, Carys disappears. An armful of sinfully decadent undergarments is passed to me. I try them all on until I find the one. And if I’m whispering, “Holy shit,” what’s Ward going to do on Christmas when he gets his gift?

A secret smile crosses my face. I hurriedly redress and head to the register.

I can’t wait to find out.

Forty-One

Ward

However you celebrate and whomever you celebrate with, may you find peace tonight.

— Beautiful Today

Angie and Carys are laughing in the kitchen like schoolgirls as they FaceTime Angie’s best friend, Sula, in Ireland. I spoke with her briefly to wish her a happy holidays. She winked at me before saying, “I bet yours is going to be better, ‘Winsome Ward.’”

I almost choked on my drink.

We decided to do Christmas Eve at Angie’s, and then we’d meet back at my sister’s condo for Christmas dinner. It’s not unusual that I haven’t decorated a lick for the holidays, but since I’ve been spending most nights with Angie, I debated having a professional service come in. Angie sneered in disgust when I suggested that. “Ward, decorating for the holidays is supposed to be painful and annoying. Maybe I’d pay someone for outside lights, but inside should be warm. It should feel like family lives there.” This was right before she slapped fake garland in my arms and pointed me in the direction of her stairs.

I haven’t felt this excited to celebrate the holiday since my parents were alive. When I said as much to Carys earlier when we were in the kitchen, she ducked her head. Guiltily, I turned her against my chest as her shoulders shook. “Crap. I didn’t mean the holidays we shared were anything awful, Carrie. It’s just…”

“It’s just you’re in love. And having the woman you love added to our family brings that more to it.” Tears streamed down her face even as her smile beamed up at me.

“Yes. I am. I been waiting for her a long time.”

Carys hugged me tightly for a long while before moving away. Seeing her and the woman I love now cracking up makes me wish my parents were here. Just once.Everything I have I’d give away just so you both could meet her. You know that, right?I lift my glass of eggnog to my lips when a hand clamps down on my shoulder.

I jump, startled to find Hayden grinning down at me with a Santa hat on. Standing, I step into his embrace. “Merry Christmas, you old tattletale. Who the hell invited you?”

His hearty laugh bellows out. “Your sister. And stop complaining. I didn’t even tell Angie the stories of you from Harvard that would have had her screaming from the car, Ward. Really? The streaking? I don’t care if you were drunk at the time or not.” He clips me upside the head, even all these years later.

“I know. I owe you my education.” A very true statement since my godfather stepped in and spoke for me at my disciplinary hearing.

“I’ll take the name of your firstborn child.”

“Sorry, Hayden. That honor belongs to Mom and Dad when that day comes eventually,” I drawl, waiting for his reaction.