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She bowed her head. “Confronting the fear is pretty scary, but I guess it’s the whole point.” The wind rustling through the trees seemed to agree.
By the time Rory arrived at Jesse’s, Vi had disappeared. He shoved away discouragement, busying himself with plating the candy. A swallow of hot chocolate scalded his throat when he spied her on Jesse’s loveseat. He finished the candy plate in record time.
On his way to the living area, cup in hand, Rory directed Paige’s siblings to the kitchen for an early start on snacks. By the hearth, Tavo unlatched his guitar case. Heads together, Brenna and Jesse bent over a tubular object on a shelf behind Vi, and then Jesse asked it a question. Rory frowned. What on earth were they doing?
Confidence, dude. He’d worn himself to a frazzle, wondering how Vi would respond to his confession of love. Attempting a casual air, he made his way over and sat beside her, close enough that their legs touched. She’d gazed at him briefly, then got lost in tying her scarf. Reaching down, Rory stroked Cyrus. The dog’s coat felt cool to the touch from outside. Rory cautiously took another sip of chocolate.
He eased against the loveseat, unable to read Vi’s mood. Their comfort level still hovered on the awkward side, yet something seemed different tonight. The sharp angles of her face had softened.
The murmuring behind the loveseat grew louder. “Ask Alexa another question, Jess,” Brenna’s husky voice instructed.
“What do I ask?”
Rory traded a knowing look with Vi. As one, they leaned back to eavesdrop on the conversation. The loveseat prevented them from seeing, but listening worked too.
“Anything. Weather report, playlist, ballgame score.”
Vi’s pink lips turned up when Jesse grumbled about talking to an inanimate object. In a commanding voice, Jesse said, “Alexis, tell me the weather.”
Prolonged silence. Then he said, “Nothing happened.”
A decidedly feminine huff came from Brenna. “Well, of course not, Jess. You have to call her by the right name. It’s Alexa. And ask, don’t bark.”
Vi giggled. She leaned into Rory, whispering, “She’s determined to bring him into the twenty-first century.”
Rory touched his forehead to hers. “Here’s hoping.” They jumped when Alexa blared a brief weather report.
Tavo strummed his guitar. “Anyone up for Christmas carols?” He winked at Rory, playing the opening chords of “Jingle Bells.”
The siblings wandered in and sang along, laughing when they flubbed the lyrics, and finished loudly, as if volume would cover any mistakes. Jesse sat in his recliner with Brenna perched on the side arm. A smile curved Rory’s lip. His buddy would have her snuggled next to him in no time. When Tavo motioned Paige to a folding chair beside him, Rory’s inner antenna quirked again. Vi’s arched brow signaled she’d seen it too.
Tavo played as the group stumbled through different songs until Brenna suggested “Jingle Bell Rock.” Tavo shook his head, “Don’t know it.”
Brenna wasn’t having it. “I bet Alexa does—Alexa, play ‘Jingle Bell Rock.’” After a slight pause, the jazzy tune floated from the speaker. She pulled Jesse from the chair. Hips and legs gyrating, he danced with her, shaking his head no the entire time. The small gathering erupted into catcalls and cheers.
“Not bad, Jess. Haven’t seen those moves since high school,” Rory called.
When the song ended, Paige raised her voice over the commotion. “Can we end on a good one before we eat?”
“That was good!” Jesse’s protest made everyone laugh again.
Goose bumps pricked Rory’s arms when Vi’s small hand found his.
Much too soon, Brenna announced, “Appetizer break. Then we open presents.”
Rory didn’t want to leave their private world or let go of Vi’s hand. Breathing in courage, he motioned to Vi’s cup. “You need a refill?”
“Yes, and a piece of chocolate.” Vi snuggled into the cushions.
“Don’t go anywhere.” He looked at Cyrus. “Keep her here, buddy.”
“Why can’t I go anywhere?” The confusion marring her pretty features had Rory’s heart banging all around his chest.
Rory bent down until his face rested inches from Vi’s. “’Cause I want to hold hands with you again.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Vi’s irises darkened to violet. Desire crowded Rory’s brain. Grabbing their cups, he headed to the kitchen before he kissed her into next week.
