The Christmas Collection by Sam Mariano

Author:Sam Mariano
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sam Mariano

CHAPTER 23

AUTUMN

Christmas Eve is nearing its end. The day has flown by so quickly—I can’t believe it’s nearly time to go to bed again.

Amira is too excited to sleep, so we try to tucker her out, playing with her and reading some Christmas books. We settle in on the couch and watch the classic Grinch cartoon. Right about the time The Grinch is stealing Cindy Lou’s Christmas tree, Amira gasps and sits up.

“What that?”

She’s snuggled between Nora and Tarek, both of whom look completely clueless.

“Santa is here!” she announces, hopping off the couch and pointing up at the ceiling.

Whatever she heard must have been entirely in her imagination because no one else heard it, but Amira is convinced. She’s too afraid to finish the cartoon, fearing Santa will come down the chimney and then go right back up when he finds her awake, so Nora and Tarek take her in and put her to bed.

It takes them quite a while in there, but when Nora comes back, she’s glowing.

I’m on the couch with Jasper. Nora plops down on the edge and thrusts her left hand in our direction.

“Guess what Tarek just asked me?”

I gasp, grabbing her hand and admiring the lovely diamond ring on her finger. “Oh my gosh! That’s awesome,” I say, hugging her. “I’m so happy for you guys.”

Nora can’t stop grinning, even when she tries to narrow her eyes at Jasper in suspicion. “Did you know?”

“He may have asked for my blessing,” Jasper verifies.

Nora claps her hands together. “I knew it. I knew that’s why he was so dead-set on you coming for Christmas this year. Of course we’ve talked about getting married, but I didn’t know…” She trails off excitedly, realizing her point doesn’t matter. Sighing happily, she looks down at her ring. “God, look how it sparkles.”

I really am so happy for her. I may not have known Nora before this week, but I liked her right away, and the few stories Jasper has shared with me about her made me feel like I knew her all the more.

Nora stands, telling us she needs to go and start bringing gifts in. Before she goes, she slides a sly smile my way. “Maybe next year it’ll be you.”

I smile back, trying to ignore how beat red my face must be. “Oh, I don’t know about that,” I say lightly, dismissively, trying not to let it get awkward.

Obviously Nora thinks we’re already an established couple, and she doesn’t know anything about what Jasper does for work. I can see why she’d say it.

Of course she hopes her brother will find the same happiness she has. Of course she hopes we’ll follow in her footsteps, and one Christmas in the not-too-distant future, our babies will play together with all the new toys they open on Christmas morning.

It doesn’t sound so terrible to me either, and I don’t share her excuse. I should know better.

I try not to let it linger in my mind as we tote out all the presents we wrapped today and pile them around the Christmas tree.

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