Page 64 of The Devoted Husband

The Christmas Cabin Trip

“Wait. Are you still mad at me? You’ve been avoiding me this whole trip.”

“That’s what you wanted, right? Time alone with Adam.”

Imani huffed and rolled her eyes. “Yes, that’s what I wanted, but without the attitude from you.”

Sade chuckled. “I’m not sure how you thought that was possible. You brought me here under false pretenses, and you’re putting me in a horrible position with Dante.”

“Look, let’s not bring him into this. It’s our last full day here, and Adam wants to do something as a group. I don’t want you having an attitude to ruin it.”

“Oh, so that’s what this is about? You don’t really care about how I feel or us not doing anything. This is about Adam and what he wants.”

Her jaws clenched, Imani stared at her sister, and Sade laughed with a shake of her head.

“Enjoy your day, Imani,” Sade said as she left the kitchen.

“Be ready to go in an hour!”

“Whatever,” Sade grumbled under her breath, not even bothering to look back. She took small sips of her still-hot coffee, almost dropping the cup when she entered her room and saw Atlas placing something on her bed.

“Jesus, you scared me.” Sade clutched her chest, trying to slow her palpitating heart.

“Sorry, I was trying to surprise you with this gift.”

With a tsk, Sade walked over to him. “You didn’t have to get me anything, Atlas.”

“I know, but I wanted to.” He lifted the gift bag and handed it to her. “Merry Christmas, Sade.”

“I can’t take this. Not until I go get you something.”

He gave her a sexy smile and licked his lips. “I don’t want you to get me anything. Now, take this.”

Sade accepted the bag and then set her mug on the dresser.

She removed the tissue paper and pulled out a leather-bound book.

As she opened it, Atlas said, “I got this from the vintage shop in the town square. It has little dotted pages inside. The lady said that it was good for artists. Was she right?”

With watery eyes, Sade slipped her hand over the aged leather. “Yeah, she was.” Sade laughed in disbelief. “This is...beautiful, Atlas. I’m going to keep this forever. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you like it.”

Sade pulled him in for a hug as she told him, “I love it.”

Her eyes squeezed shut as tears threatened to pour. It was such a thoughtful gift, and she wasn’t expecting it to come from him...Someone she’d known on such a shallow level. Maybe it was the holiday season, but the gesture had definitely opened Sade’s heart to Atlas just a little bit more.