Page 96 of The Christmas Catch

Morgan’s grin reattached itself to her face. “What ways are those?”

Ali cocked an eyebrow. “You’re pretty darn kissable, for one. You’ve got great tits.” Another kiss. “And I almost cried when I opened your present last night. That was perfect.”

“I’m glad you liked it. I’ll look forward to you playing me something later. Plus, I thought it was about time I made up for my crimes of 30 years ago.” Morgan gazed into Ali’s eyes. “But I’m curious. How am I not perfect?”

Ali flicked her head to the window. “You don’t think snow’s romantic, and you think romance is for summer. Have I changed your mind on that one?”

“I think you’re living proof that romance and snow are the perfect couple.”

They both stared out the window as the snow fell in droves.

Ali sat on the bed, her bodyweight warming Morgan deliciously. “A little like us?”

“I hope so.” Morgan had never meant three little words as much in her entire life.

“Plus, if you’re coming to New York in winter, they have bucket loads of snow, so you might have to get used to it. I bought you a present that’ll help, too.”

“I’m intrigued. Just don’t make me ride a tandem bike in a snowstorm again, okay? Once is enough to last a lifetime.”

Ali let out a howl of laughter at that. “Pinky promise.”

They were both silent for a few moments. The weight of their words and decisions settled on them like a cashmere blanket.

“I’m really glad you’ve changed your mind.”

“Me, too.” Ali moved her mouth from side to side. “You sure you’re up for it? I might be there over six months. It could be a year. Maybe two.”

Morgan shrugged. “We’ll cope. I can visit and work from there. Plus, there’s Zoom, WhatsApp, phone sex.” She laughed, then winced with the pain. Ali fussed over her, but Morgan shook her head. “I just need to stop laughing. Say something serious, please.”

Ali stroked her chin with her thumb and forefinger, then held Morgan in place with her gaze. “Serious, huh? Okay, how about this.” She hopped off the bed, then got down on one knee.

Every organ Morgan possessed froze. Her heart, her lungs, her brain. What the actual fuck?

“Morgan Scott,” Ali said.

Morgan ground her teeth together as her psyche screamed.

“Will you be my girlfriend?”

Oh thank the fucking stars!

Ali jumped to her feet, shaking with laughter. “You should have seen your face.”

“I said serious, not heart-stopping!”

Honest-to-fucking-god.

“I’m sorry.” Ali leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I just couldn’t resist.” She paused. “You haven’t given me an answer, by the way.”

Morgan rolled her eyes. “It’s a yes, although it should be a no after that stunt.” She pressed her head back into pillows, glanced out the window, then back to Ali. “What a fucking Christmas Day. It’s snowing, I’ve got a ridiculously hot girlfriend, and a new niece.” She stared at Ali. “Life is good. A wise woman once told me I might meet the love of my life on New Year’s Eve. Now, are you going to spend New Year with me this year in Glasgow, girlfriend?”

Ali leaned forward again and kissed Morgan’s lips. “I thought you’d never ask.”

EPILOGUE

One Year Later

“Camille!”Annabel sighed. “Josh, will you grab her before she crawls right across the bar and pulls over the massive tree?” Josh was already on it, squatting down to scoop up his toddler daughter. He then stuck his face into her stomach and blew a raspberry, which drew giggles from the little girl.