I pick a spot and stamp the reindeer, wiggling the edges until it cuts clean through.
“I could’ve. But some of the painful parts of life are worth savoring.”
I lift the shaped dough, making it dance in the air.
One slender leg falls off.
“Shit. Reindeer down.” I lay the cookie on the sheet and try to repair it. “You shouldn’t let me touch anything right now. I’m in ‘search and destroy’ mode.”
Haley stops rolling dough and turns toward me. “What’s going on? You and Tyler aren’t in a good place?”
“We are. It’s just… I want to marry him. He wants to release an album.”
Normally, I’d love to talk with Tyler about his album’s release—except that I was thinking he wanted to talk about our wedding. I cut the next cookie as emotion wells up in my throat.
I’ve always felt too much. I used to think Tyler and I were opposites because it was hard to know what he was feeling and easy to know what I was feeling—it’s always written on my face. We’re mostly over that. Still, I can’t believe this whole time I’ve been thinking about a wedding and he’s been thinking about an album—one I know next to nothing about.
Haley wraps an arm around me. She’s not a touchy person, and her comfort means more because of it. “You know as well as anyone life doesn’t always happen on your schedule.”
I nod. She’s right—growing up as the daughter of a rock star, navigating my own dreams and jealousy while falling for my best friend, a huge musician in his own right, hasn’t been easy.
“I’m grateful for everything I have,” I say. “But Tyler’s finishing his album and I barely see him. He hasn’t even played me anything from it, which he normally would. It feels as if, if we don’t make wedding plans soon, I’m not sure we’re going to.”
“Remember, I’ve known Tyler longer than you have. I met him back at Wicked when he was, oh, probably fourteen? He loves two things—music and you.”
I groan. “I know. But does it have to be in that order?”
Her mouth twitches as she finishes rolling the dough, passing it to me for cutting. Haley gets what it’s like better than anyone, being married to someone whose life is about their music. Hell, mine is too, which I think makes it harder.
I know I’m being dramatic, but I come by it honestly. Like my dad, dramatic is my factory setting.
“Tyler’s going to love your gift,” Haley comments as I continue to stamp out gingerbread. “It’s sitting behind the studio.”
I suck in a breath, thinking of the small, partially obscured gravel lot hidden by trees. It’s adjacent to the boutique recording studio housed in the heavily renovated and expanded pool house out back.
“I hope so. I spent months looking for it.”
As I set the last dozen reindeer carefully on the cookie sheet—all forty-eight legs accounted for, thank you very much—she looks at the clock.
“They’ve been gone two hours. It’s crazy. When we met and he was on tour, I wouldn’t have thought twice about going hours, even days, without seeing him or knowing where he was. But now…” Haley says, not needing to finish her thought.
I feel the same way, and a ribbon of concern works through my mind. “Let me text them. They should be back by now.”
“Sophie’s probably making them look at a dozen trees.”
I’m typing out a text to Tyler when the doorbell rings.
“Is that them or the catering?” I ask, frowning.
“Go get it,” Haley suggests.
I rinse my hands, then head to the door and pull on the handle. The face greeting me instantly lift my spirits.
“Wow, they’re letting just anyone in here,” Beck drawls.
I throw my arms around my friend and former peer mentor from school. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be filming in LA.”
“Slave drivers gave us a few days off for the holiday, same as you guys. Besides, my tan was good enough. Figured I’d spend a few days out east with you pale fools.”
“I didn’t know you were coming! Tyler will be so happy to see you.” Though Tyler went to LA a couple of months ago to visit his label, he and his former roommate weren’t able to connect because of their busy schedules. “I figured you were Dad and Tyler or the catering.”
“There’s no food?” he says, mock aghast. “I’m leaving.”
Serena’s voice comes from behind me. “What he means is ‘happy holidays.’” She throws her arms around her brother.
He catches us up on his work in LA. Soon after, the catering finally arrives, the caterer apologizing and saying the roads were getting slippery.
Still, the guys haven’t returned.
I try calling Tyler and find his phone in the hall.
Haley calls Dad. Nothing.
I’m legitimately worried now, and Haley is too. With her quiet competence, she calls the tree farm and finds out there was no record of a purchase, but they remember seeing two men and a little girl more than two hours ago. Anxiety roils in my stomach, the awful feeling that something’s gone terribly wrong.
“I’m sure they’re fine,” Beck insists, squeezing my shoulder. “I don’t know your dad, but how much trouble could Ty get into around here?”
A trembling exhale escapes my lips. “More than enough.”
Chapter Four
Haley
“If you’re not my family, my band, or the ghost of Jimi Hendrix, call my agent.”
My husband’s familiar recording streams out of the speaker pressed to my ear. It’s comforting even though I know it’s not him.
“Jax. I hope you guys aren’t doing something crazy.” I can’t keep the worry out of my voice. “I love you. All of you,” I add before hitting End.
I’m getting anxious but trying to hide it as I meet Serena in the dining room to finish setting the table for tonight.
“The food got here an hour ago,” I murmur, glancing back toward the kitchen.
“We can reheat it if we need to,” my friend says easily. “You still can’t reach them?”
I shake my head. “Annie said Tyler left his phone here.”
Serena looks up. “Where is Annie?”
“She needed a minute and went out back.” I glance toward the patio and the studio beyond as if I can see through the walls.
My friend steps between me and the long table decorated with sprays of mistletoe and cranberries, frowning with concern. “You could use a minute.”
I wave her off. “Let’s finish setting up here.” I nod toward the cutlery, enough for all of us. Which reminds me… “I should see if the band needs more drinks.”
An hour ago, Jax’s former bandmates showed up. It’s as if our entire extended family is here.
Serena stops me on the way to the door. “Wes can take care of it. He knows where the bar is.”
She heads toward the living room and returns a moment later. We work side by side, talking about New York.
“I need to go look for them,” I insist when we finish. “Can you watch Mason for me?”