It’s clear she would do anything for her family, even if it included embarrassing herself on the internet for her niece. This type of devotion attracted me to her in the past and remains a part of her make up.
We haven’t had a second alone today due to her helping Ruby prep the Christmas Eve feast, cookie decorating with the kids, and helping Serena and Erin wrap. All of this happening before Allen’s airtight planned festivities for the night. Even so, I’ve shamelessly studied her every chance I’ve gotten. The pull is still so fucking there, as it has been from day one.
“She’s looking at you again,” Thatch nudges me from where he sits next to me on the couch, remote in hand as he pretends to flip through the channels while on watch. He’s been nothing but enthusiastic about me making progress with Whitney since my confession in the garage.
“Appreciate you looking out,” I say with a chuckle.
After their third take, Gracie plays the footage back, seemingly satisfied as Whitney collapses in a dining room chair, sweaty and breathless.
She catches my eyes as I scour her in jeans, a form-fitting sweater, and her elf slippers. Her eyes light as I slowly sweep her, and I swear I can read her thoughts as she stares back at me.
Dare I think we’re flirting?
Conner quickly steals her attention away, asking for help. Disappointment crosses her features briefly before she pulls Conner into her lap and begins aiding her in outlining a sugar cookie.
When her golden gaze again finds mine, I bite my lip and get the desired effect when her own lips lift into a sultry smile.
Yeah, we most definitely are flirting.
The familiar electricity zings through me as warmth spreads through my chest.
Something’s changed…shifted between us since last night and this morning. She seems more open to me now. Somehow the door I was sure was sealed shut is now cracked. Could my confession last night have rocked her that much? How will she react when I’m finally able to dole out the rest of the truth?
I don’t want to chance it right now, not when the vibe we have going is this good. I wonder if it’s possible to get her to agree to a second chance without first giving her my full confession. If so, that would be more than I could ever ask and more than I should. Is she really capable of forgiving me without it? At the moment, it feels possible.
“No, son,” Allen barks at Brenden as he steps back, inspecting the lights Brenden strung above the karaoke machine. Allen is serious about his backdrop since I’ve heard the word at least a dozen times since they started setting up an hour ago.
“Annnnd she’s looking at you again,” Thatch draws out, pulling another laugh from me. “So, what are you going to do? What’s your plan?”
“I was way too controlling last time,” I confess quickly. “This time, I’m going to leave things up to her.”
“Well, whatever you’re doing, it’s working.”
“I’m being honest,” I say simply because it’s the truth. I’ve exposed myself, made a fool of myself in a way I never have before. It’s been terrifying, humbling and in a sense, liberating. I turn to Thatch, who’s eyeing Serena as she helps Wyatt and Peyton on the floor with a puzzle. “I appreciate the heads up, man, really, I do, but shouldn’t you be formulating your own plan?”
“I have one.”
“Yeah?”
“Well, I had one,” he grimaces, “but I sort of fucked up the execution. I plan on remedying that tonight after church.” Thatch nudges me as Serena makes her way into the kitchen. I look down to see him crack open a box where a huge solitaire and accompanying wedding band with two diamonds sits inside it.
“One for each of our babies.” He discreetly clips it closed and pockets the box. “It was way past time for an upgrade. It’s been a bitch keeping this on me since we got here without her sniffing it out, and there’s a reason the books haven’t been adding up the past month.” He smirks. “I know her a lot better than she thinks I do. I’ve just been biding my time. I’m only sorry I’ve hurt her in playing ignorant. By the end of the night, she’s going to know exactly why I’ve been aloof. I’m going to ask her to renew our vows.”
“That’s awesome, man, really.”
“As much as she drives me batshit, I would do anything for her.”
“That’s obvious, with or without the rock.”
I glance back over to Whitney, knowing the clock is ticking, and I still haven’t found the right gift for under twenty bucks that in any way relays how well I know her. Just as panic begins to creep in, a notion strikes and my gears start turning. I turn back to Thatch. “If you’re covered, I have an idea, but I’ll need your help. Can you give me a lift?”