said.
I lifted my head to see Sherry Levesque smiling at us. We were standing just beyond the parking area for Bay Bistro. She had a bag looped over her wrist.
Sasha turned away from me quickly. “Hi,” she squeaked.
“So nice to see you two again. You’re getting a Christmas tree for the house, right?” Sherry pressed.
I wondered just how long she’d been nearby. “Of course,” I said quickly.
“You should go to Haven’s Trees. They still have some good ones left. Emile and I just went the other day. I always wait until the week before Christmas.”
“How come?” Sasha asked.
Sherry leaned forward, and speaking in a conspiratorial tone, she replied, “Because they go on sale then.”
“Good point,” I said approvingly.
“Well, I need to get back to the restaurant,” Sherry said with a bright smile. She patted Sasha on the forearm as she passed by. “So good to have you back in town.”
A little while later, we walked through rows of Christmas trees. “Are you sure you want to get a big tree?” Sasha asked.
“Yes. My family will love it. We’ll decorate the living room. I’ll get a wreath for the front door and then put one of these trees in the bay window.”
Sasha seemed amused but went along with it. As Sherry had advised, we did find a good deal on the tree. When we went to pay for it, I also purchased a jug of cider and some hot fudge.
After we climbed in the car, Sasha commented, “Ted sure knows how to make some extra cash during the holidays. I bet everyone gets fudge and cider on their way out.” She was referring to Ted, the guy who’d run this Christmas tree farm for as long as I could recall.
“Of course, they do,” I replied with a chuckle.
That night, I cocked my head to the side as we surveyed the Christmas tree. “What do you think?” Sasha asked.
“It’s perfect.”
We didn’t have any decorations other than the lights we’d picked up at Haven’s Bay Grocery, and the tree glittered prettily in the window. Matilda had sniffed at the tree curiously for a few minutes, but otherwise, she let it be.
Sasha looked up at me, biting her lip. “What are we going to tell your family?” In addition to my younger sister and brother, Dallas was coming up with his wife and toddler son.
“About what?” I countered even though I knew exactly what she was asking.
Her lips pressed in a line. “Us. I think we should just not say—”
I cut her off because I’d already thought about this. “We’re not going to pretend nothing’s happening. We both live in Boston, and I want to see you when we go back.”
“You do?” she squeaked.
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
Sasha looked very uncertain, a twitch of worry forming between her brows as she chewed on her pretty pink bottom lip. Fuck me, her lips were made for kissing, and I wanted to kiss her. Badly.
She swallowed. “I guess I thought it was just a fling,” she said slowly.
Somehow, that annoyed me. “You’re not a fling to me. I hope you want to see me when we’re back in Boston.”
“You know I have a daughter, right? I’m not all that glamorous to date,” she said flatly.
“I’m not either. I work a lot, and it can be high stress. I want a chance to see where this goes. I’d love to meet Quinn when you’re ready.”
Chapter 11
Sasha
“What?” Thea asked, her eyes wide as she stared at me.
“I know, it’s crazy, but I… well, I really like him.”
Thea’s eyes widened as a smile stretched slowly across her face. “Oh my God, this is perfect.”
“It is?”
She gave me a long look. “Yes. You are an incredible mother, and that absolutely should be your first priority, but you also deserve a little romance. So does Noah.”
Later that evening, we opened presents under the Christmas tree and toasted the holiday with yummy hot cider. Noah’s arm rested across my shoulders as we sat in front of the fire and laughed with his family. In a funny way, this was the closest thing to family I’d ever had growing up. And I almost needed to pinch myself to realize Noah really wanted a chance with me.
Epilogue
Noah
CHRISTMAS EVE - ONE YEAR LATER
I reflexively checked my coat pocket. For perhaps the fiftieth time in the past hour, I confirmed it was still there.
“Do you have it?” Quinn whispered, loud enough that the very whisper itself echoed in the foyer.
I cast a warning look, albeit a