Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 142214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 711(@200wpm)___ 569(@250wpm)___ 474(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 711(@200wpm)___ 569(@250wpm)___ 474(@300wpm)
Looking at Grey, Soren shrugged. “I guess you guys haven’t discussed all the details yet.”
“Not now, Soren,” Greyson warned.
“Better watch it, Soren,” Jocelyn teased. “Your big brother staked a claim in front of the whole town. No way you’re getting close enough to make her cry this time.”
“This time?” Scowling, Greyson demanded, “There was a first time?”
“She didn’t cry,” Soren said, matter-of-factly, and Jocelyn scoffed.
“Like you would know. A real man would at least stick around to clean up his mess.”
Soren’s expression shifted to panic, but before he could clarify, Greyson took a menacing step forward. “Did you make her fucking cry?”
“Grey, it’s fine.” Wren caught his sleeve. “I told you we had an argument. It’s over now. It’s Christmas. Let’s not fight.”
Continuing to glare at his brother, Greyson tensed, but Soren only looked disturbed by the news. “Wren, can I talk to you for a minute—outside?”
Tightening his arm, Greyson refused, “She’s staying here.”
“What are you, her fucking keeper now?”
Jocelyn’s gaze brightened with anticipation. “Oooh, them’s fightin’ words.”
“Jocelyn, knock it off.” Wrenching Greyson’s arm off her hip, Wren excused herself. “We’ll be right back.” She didn’t stop moving until they made it to the sidewalk, then she turned on him. “What, Soren?”
“I’m sorry if I made you cry.”
“What about the things you said. Are you sorry for that?”
His mouth firmed. “I got pissed. I don’t remember what I said.”
“You basically wished me a miserable life and said I deserved to chase Greyson forever because he’s never going to change.”
“I got angry, and, obviously, I was wrong.”
“You were wrong, Soren. And you hurt me.”
Sighing, he looked down. “I’m sorry, Wren. I got jealous.”
Her defenses came down. “I never wanted to hurt you.”
“I know. I have feelings too, you know?”
“It’s not like I planned any of this.”
“But you wanted it.”
“Yes,” she admitted. “I wanted this for a very long time, Soren. I’m sorry if that’s difficult to hear, but it’s the truth.”
A cloud formed as he blew out a deep breath. “Well, if that’s the case, I hope he’s everything you dreamed.”
“Thank you.”
“We’re okay?”
She smiled and nodded. “Yeah, we’re okay.”
“Let’s go back inside. It’s fucking freezing and I need a drink.”
Back at the table, Logan had arrived, his curls bouncing above the sea of hats. “Hey.” Kissing Wren’s cheek, he smiled. “You look better. Got your color back.”
Looking slightly harassed after being left alone with Jocelyn, Greyson immediately moved to Wren’s side. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. It was a good talk.”
“So I don’t need to kick anyone’s ass?”
“Not tonight.”
“So, this is awkward,” Logan said, sipping a beer. “Grey and Wren. Wren and Grey.”
“Maybe say it a few more times,” Soren grumbled.
“Someone sounds jealous,” Jocelyn sang into her slushy red cocktail.
“Hardly.”
Greyson grinned, proudly sliding a possessive arm around Wren’s shoulders. “You wish.”
“Can we all just make a unified adjustment and get over the awkwardness?” Wren said, taking a deep breath. “Yes, Greyson and I are now a couple. But I’m still Wren and he’s still Grey.”
“Except you’re banging.”
All eyes turned to Jocelyn. Wren stilled. “Thanks, Joce. Helpful as always.”
Logan, shoving right past the awkwardness, lifted his beer. “To the new couple.”
“Thank you, Logan.” Looking up at Grey, Wren prompted, “Say thank you.”
“Thanks.”
Soren rolled his eyes. “Oh, yeah, this feels totally natural. Like a root canal with an ice skate. I’m not at all uncomfortable.”
“Someone sounds jealous,” Jocelyn sang.
Soren glared at her. “Do you ever shut up?”
“Hey, my words are money. Be grateful you get them for free.”
As the evening wore on, things only got messier. Even the mayor was drunk, standing on chairs with Ralph organizing some kind of holiday football pool.
The boys ordered another round, but every sip only made Wren count down the minutes until they were alone again. Finally, warm lips pressed against her temple. “You ready to go after this?”
Smiling up at Greyson, she gave a subtle nod. As fun as this was, she’d rather be back in his bed.
When Jocelyn nearly fell off her chair, Soren jumped into action. “I’ve got her.” He hooked an arm under Jocelyn’s as she became as slippery as a Jell-O shot.
“You sure?” Wren asked.
“Yeah. My car’s right out front.”
“We’re heading out, too,” Greyson announced, tossing cash on the table.
Outside, the temperature had dropped another ten degrees. “How are we getting home?”
“It’s taken care of.” Greyson pointed to a horse-drawn sleigh waiting at the end of the street.
She gaped at him. “Are you serious?”
“Come on.” He led her to the sleigh and greeted the driver. “How’s it going, Gus?”
Mr. Pemberley grinned. “You did a fine job pulling that ship into harbor, Greyson. Your dad would have been proud.”
Settling onto the red velvet seat, Wren pulled the emerald throw over her lap while Greyson poured steaming cocoa.
“Don’t forget the lids. Trails can get bumpy,” Gus warned.
Sleigh bells jingled as they literally dashed through the snow. Cuddling into Greyson’s side, Wren asked, “What about the boat?”