Page 48 of Season Of Sin

I smile up at him. “Thank you so much. I love it.”

August eyes me for a moment. “You thought it was going to be a ring.”

I start to shake my head, but his wholeno lyingpolicy stops me. “It’s a small box, and when a man hands a woman a small box, she always thinks it’s a ring, August.”

“What would you have said? Out of curiosity? If it were a ring?” he asks me.

“I don’t know. I would probably tell you that it’s too soon, and you would tell me it’s not soon enough or some crap like that, and then you’d tell me you’ve already picked a date.” I laugh, because that seems like something this man would actually do.

“Good to know your answer would be a yes.” He smirks. “You ready to face the heathens out there?”

“Our friends are not heathens.” I laugh again.

“Yours, maybe. Colton most certainly is,” August says with all seriousness.

When we walk out—very slowly with August supporting most of my weight—Colton is the first one I see. “Breakfast. Merry Christmas.” He hands me a bowl filled to the top with milk and cereal.

“Thank you,” I reply as August helps me onto one of the sofas. I lean over and whisper into his ear. “I love you too. I forgot to say it back. But I don’t think.I know.”

He takes hold of my face and his lips slam onto mine. His tongue pushes into my mouth, and I get lost in him.

“Gross. That’s my sister.” Riley’s voice breaks through my August fog, and I pull away.

“Merry Christmas, Rye.” I’m about to stand when he holds up a hand to stop me.

“Don’t get up.” He bends over and hugs me. “Merry Christmas, sis. You feeling okay?”

“I’m good,” I tell him.

Ever since he found out I was stabbed, he’s hardly left my side. I know it scared him and reminded him of when our parents died. We are all we have. Well, I guess now we have August too.

“Okay, present time!” I squeal.

This is my favorite part of Christmas. Giving. I look across to Jade, who is curled up on the other sofa rubbing her protruding stomach. She smiles back at me, and I just know everything is going to be okay.

August takes hold of my hand.

“Colton, you can play Santa. Pass out those gifts,” I tell him.

“This body is far too toned to be Santa,” Colton grumbles.

“I don’t know… Hot Santas areinat the moment.” Jade laughs.

“Ew. Don’t,” I warn her, knowing that she won’t. At least, I don’t think she would…

I can’t wipe the smile off my face as I look around at everyone gathered in this room. This isn’t the European Christmas of my dreams. It’s better than that. It’s more… It’s family.