of us wanted to deal with a vengeful Vincent on Christmas.
For me, excitement about what we were doing after breakfast had miraculously kept me from getting irritated with my former almost-stepfather. There must be something to that old adage, it’s better to give than to receive, because I’d never been this eager over a gift in my life.
Leo pulled up to a small but well-kept blue house and parked on the street. Shooting me a grin, he asked, “You ready for this?”
“So ready.”
Tristin and Hayle followed us up the steps to the front porch, and I knocked on the door. About a minute later, it opened, and Gerard stood on the other side, a confused smile on his face. “Well, this is a surprise.”
“I hope we’re not interrupting.” Maybe I should have checked with Susan first to make sure, but I’d wanted everything about our visit to be a surprise.
“Not at all.” He opened the door wider and gestured us inside. “Merry Christmas Eve.”
“Merry Christmas Eve,” I said, the guys echoing the sentiment as we made our way into the entryway, which was really the living room.
The interior of the house was cozy, and every nook and cranny seemed to be filled with holiday decorations. Susan must have a thing for snowmen, because they covered almost every surface, giving the space a decidedly cheerful feel.
It was so dichotomous to the contemporary lines of the mansion, where I was used to seeing Gerard and Susan, I almost had to laugh. But this house felt like them. It exuded the warmth I’d always felt from the couple.
The lady of the house appeared from the kitchen wearing an apron covered in blue and white snowmen. Her face blossomed in delight when she caught sight of me and the Sharpe brothers. “Are my eyes deceiving me? What are you all doing here?”
Leo stepped forward and pulled Susan into a hug. “We couldn’t miss seeing you around Christmas.”
“And Thea brought fudge,” Hayle said, taking Leo’s place.
I held the container of the chocolate goodies out in offering. Making fudge had been the one holiday tradition I’d shared with Aunt Emmy. Though she hadn’t been one to reminisce, she had told me it was something she’d made with her mother every year.
“I love fudge,” Gerard said, taking the container from me. “Susan never makes it for me, because she complains that I’ll eat an entire batch in one day.”
Susan tsked. “Because you did that once. Don’t you remember? You made yourself sick.”
He grumbled something I couldn’t make out as he opened the lid and popped a piece in his mouth. “Delicious.”
“Thanks.” I felt a little silly bringing them food when I knew Susan would have made much more elaborate treats for the holidays, but the guys had talked me into it.
“Have you eaten?” Susan asked. “I can whip you up something.”
“We just had breakfast with Dad,” Leo answered. “But I wouldn’t turn down one of your sugar cookies, if you have any sitting around.”
“Of course.” She beamed up at him. “You all have a seat, and I’ll bring out a tray.”
Since there wouldn’t be enough spots for everyone, I started to sit on the floor in front of the couch. But Tristin hooked his arms around my waist and pulled me down onto his lap instead. I twisted my head to look at him, and his smile convinced me to stay put. I’d been seeing more of his smiles lately, but they always still made my heart skip a beat. Maybe it was cheesy—okay, it was totally cheesy—but I was pretty damn pleased about my part in turning that perpetual frown upside down.
Gerard sat in one of the chairs opposite the couch, and when Susan reappeared a minute later with a tray of cookies and other sweets, she didn’t bat an eyelash at my current position. “Eat up. There’s plenty more in the kitchen.”
Even though I was still full from breakfast, I selected an iced sugar cookie in the shape of a snowflake. It looked like it was out of a magazine and tasted even better. “Wow, this is so good. Can you teach me how to make them?” My baking skills were limited, but it would be fun to know how to make a few basics.
“I would love to. They’re not as difficult as they look, which is probably why they’re my favorite to make.”
I laughed. “Sounds right up my alley.”
After the guys had gorged themselves on cookies and candies, Leo asked, “What are you two