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Jesse cast him a side eye as they stood at the candy dish. “Vi seems better tonight.”
“She is, but we’ve got a ways to go. I appreciate your prayers.”
“You got it.”
Rory plunked candy on a napkin, eager not to lose precious time with Vi, and hustled back to the living room. Settling in next to her again, he placed the napkin with the candy on the coffee table. Vi asked, her tone dry, “Did you leave any on the tray?”
He stared at the mound of chocolate and grinned. “I’m hoarding.”
She chose a piece, then glanced at Cyrus, whose golden eyes followed the candy. “No chocolate for you, Cy.”
Rory took a bite of his piece, then closed his eyes. “I remember these from Thanksgiving. Paige said you made them.”
“Yes. That batch disappeared while I was busy falling down a hole.” She smiled, choosing another piece.
Flutters chased around Rory’s stomach. “Glad I followed my gut, Red.” Her poor response to the Epi-pen still haunted him.
She gently jostled his shoulder. “I’m glad you were there too. And I’m fine, Rory. Really.”
Rory gripped her hand and didn’t let go, not caring how it looked or who saw them. Having her beside him calmed his fear of losing her. He ignored the thought she wasn’t his to lose.
Paige moved to the coffee table, picking up a gift. She waved it aloft in a wide arc. “Who is this one for?” When a sibling claimed it, she handed the bag over and reached for another gift.
A few gifts later, Paige picked up another gaily wrapped gift bag. Vi elbowed him. Must be his turn. Rory accepted the present, but the glint in Vi’s eyes suggested …
Self-conscious, Rory dug through the tissue to a cardholder and fumbled it open. A gift card to Peeps? Not comprehending, he stared at her.
Then Tavo guffawed, and the room seemed to shake. “Aww. Ro, it’s priceless. You’re too stubborn to get a massage with Magic Hands, so she bought you one!” He smacked his leg and hooted. “We should all be so lucky.” He dissolved into another fit of laughter.
As the meaning of Vi’s gift sunk in, Rory glanced around the room. Brenna had clapped a hand over her mouth, and Jesse gave him a crooked smile. Even Paige looked amused.
Rory swung back to Vi. Her eyes sparked with challenge. “Gotcha.”
Any self-control he had snapped at her smirk. If she wanted to do this—in front of everybody, he would too. He rounded on her. “It’s double or nothing, Red. You get your scary little hands on me, I get a date!” He glowered, refusing to break eye contact.
Her mouth fell open.
The lively animation faded into a hush. At Rory’s raised voice, Cyrus scrambled to his feet and growled a warning.
Rory’s back stiffened. He refused to let her off the hook. They were going to settle this right now. “What’s it going to be, Vi? Do I get a date?”
Jaw flexed, she asked, “Will you get a massage?” Cyrus wedged his big dog self in front of Vi, on high alert.
Rory glared at her. Vi glared back, not willing to give in. Cyrus barked. Vi shushed him, her blue eyes still piercing Rory’s.
“For a date, yes.” His molars ground together.
Her eyes softened. “All right then.” A collective sigh whooshed around the room, followed by boisterous clapping.
Cyrus relaxed and laid back on the floor at Vi’s command, but Rory hadn’t finished. No way he’d let her back out. As she resettled on the loveseat, he slid an arm around her, gently anchoring her in place. He squeezed her shoulder and whispered into her ear, “I’m serious about the date. Are you?” Belatedly, he realized the party chatter had stopped.
“A deal is a deal. I’m good for it. Are you?” At his nod, she gave him a brief hug. Too brief. He withdrew his arm and threaded his fingers through hers, savoring her closeness.
In unspoken agreement, Rory and Vi acted as if nothing had transpired until Jesse gave a loud, dramatic sigh. “Good going, guys. Thanks for not burning down my house.”
The whistles and applause started up again. Vi’s face turned red as one of the twinkle lights on the Christmas tree. Rory wanted to kiss her so badly, he swiveled his head the other way. If he ever got to kiss Vi again, it would not be in a roomful of people. Finally, the merrymaking died down.
Paige continued the gift exchange until only a gold bag with drawstrings remained on the table. She held it aloft. “Who does this belong to?
