We step up to the bar and Spencer orders a glass of Jingle Juice and I opt for the Clausmopolitian.
“You should’ve hired her decorator.” I take a sip of my drink.
Spencer whispers. “I can’t afford Hans.”
We walk farther into the space and just when I think I’ve seen it all, I’m smacked in the face with an amazing indoor gazebo built with stripped branches and intertwined with hundreds of fairy lights. It’s insanely gorgeous. Underneath the branches sits the cookie making station.
Holy…holy crap. I’m literally in a winter wonderland.
White faux fur seating surrounds the table draped in white and adorned with hurricane vases and candles.
A woman wearing a floor-length sparkling green dress saunters towards us. “Spencer. Hello my darling.” She kisses him on the cheek.
“Ann, you look amazing. This is my friend, Amy.”
“Hi. Your home is amazing. All these decorations are just beautiful.”
“Thank you. It’s so nice to meet you.” Her dark hair tumbles over her shoulders. “I’m Sheila’s significant other.”
Sheila comes up behind Ann and wraps her arms around her waist. “Nabbed myself a brunette bombshell.”
Ann huffs a laugh. “Looks like our handsome quarterback did too.”
Spencer and I exchange glances and I feel my heart thump out of sync.
“He nabbed me at the airport,” I say with a laugh.
“You make it sound like I kidnapped you. When in reality I saved you from spending the night at gate eighteen.”
“Oh no,” Sheila gasps. “Your flight was cancelled?”
“Yeah. I was on my way to Detroit. My mom told me to leave earlier, but I had to wrap up some things before the holidays.”
“Well, hopefully the airport will be up and running tomorrow and you can be on your way to see your family,” Ann reassures and squeezes my hand.
When the doorbell rings, Ann and Sheila wander off to great their newly arrived guests giving me a chance to mingle with Spencer and other friends and neighbors.
Before I know it, Sheila is shoving a fresh drink in my hand and I’ve made something of a decent sugar cookie tree. Mine has festive red balls and a zig zag pattern of white garland. Spencer’s tree looks like a frosted Pop-Tart.
Apparently, he’s won the decorating contest the last two years.
I’ve eaten my weight in cookies and downed another Clausmopolitian. Thank goodness we ate pasta and bread before coming here.
And I’m having a blast. This is the most fun I’ve had in a really long time. Alex tells me that I’m a workaholic. He’s one to talk. My brother owns one of the largest private security firms with locations in the Midwest and the East Coast.
Ella runs two boutiques, one in East Harbour and one in London.
They’re like the duo-iest duo in everything—two businesses each, two kids, and two dogs.
“I think it looks pretty good,” Spencer says and rubs his palms together. “Yours too, Robertsen.”
“Thanks. You think you’ll win again? I mean you’re like a legend around here.”
He laughs. “I don’t know. Ann’s got some mad design skills. Look at her melted snowman.”
“It’s really good.”
My eyes scan over the table of guests. No one seems to care that a major celebrity sits among the crowd. Maybe they don’t watch professional football?
No, you nitwit, he’s their neighbor. Part of a community and they don’t care that he’s famous.
“Oh dear,” Sheila says.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“Another round of snow is coming overnight. Up to eight inches.” Ann and Sheila look at me.
“What?” I try to keep the alarm out of my voice. “But the heaviest snowfall is supposed to stay up north.”
A flutter of conversation breaks out between the guests as our hostesses come around to judge our cookies.
Spencer covers my hand with his. “It’ll be okay.”
I shake my head and manage to keep the tears at bay. I can’t cry in front of strangers let alone Spencer.
My phone vibrates against the tabletop and Ella’s name flashes on the screen.
“Hey, I should take this, it’s my sister-in-law.”
His blue eyes stare down at me. “Yeah. I’ll let them know you stepped away for an important call.”
My heart melts into a puddle of gooey icing. Not literally. But dang why is Spencer so damn nice?
I tap at the screen. “Hey Ella.”
“Hey lady,” her posh English accent drifts over the line. “Any word on your flight?”
“Uhm yeah. Girl, I don’t think I’ll be home for Christmas.”
“I was afraid you’d say that. I just saw the weather forecast. Are you at a hotel?”
My fingers splay against my forehead. “No. I’m at a holiday party. A cookie decorating party.”
“What?” A bubble of laughter pops in her tone.
“I know. It’s been a weird night. Remember last Thanksgiving when you, me, and Amanda loaded up the cooler with drinks and stuck Alex with the kids?”
Amanda is my other sister-in-law. She’s married to my half-brother, Vince.
Oh my God, Vince! He owns a whole damn private airline.
Why the hell didn’t I think of this before? Because your mind was on other things.
“Yeah,” she giggles. “That was so much fun.”
“I don’t know why I’m just now thinking of this, but is Vince around? Maybe he can get me on a private flight home.”
“Oh you didn’t hear,” Ella begins her voice drops an octave. “Vince and Amanda went to her parents’ place this year. Amanda’s sister died.”
“Oh shoot, sometimes I forget about Julie. Julia?”
Amanda’s sister Julia/Julie, maybe Jules is what I call a class-A bitch. And that word doesn’t seem harsh enough. Julia is basically responsible for Amanda losing years of her life—her career, her reputation, her relationship with her parents, and her inheritance. Long story short.
“I can’t remember honestly. Amanda’s not saying much. I think she’s a little in shock. So what’s this story?”
I walk further down the poinsettia decorated entry way and lean against the wall. “I’m with Spencer Ward.”
“Hmmm. Oh! The American football guy that you’re in love with?”
“I wouldn’t say in love...crush, maybe.”
“Right. That’s why we drove over two hours to your old prep school with all those hard seltzers to look at the giant plaque on the side of the building in his honor. You’ve been pining for this guy forever. You told me yourself!”
She has a good point. I did tell her that.
“It was the booze talking.”
Ella laughs. “Sweetie. You say whatever you need to make yourself feel better.”
“You know what. I’m getting you coal for Christmas this year.”
“Too bad your presents made it here before you. Jokes on you.”
I laugh. “Ah. I miss you, Ella. Let me know if everything fits Will and Everly. I hope I can make it home by Christmas day.”
“Miss you too, Amy.” She pauses. “Wait. How did you wind up at a holiday party with Spencer?”