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Vlad was waiting in front of the building with the limo, and he took Trouble’s carrier from me, setting it inside. The puppy was whining, so I moved to where he was and took him out, setting him on my lap. He quieted and put his head down on my leg. I was already in love with my little boy. I looked up at Oliver, who shook his head.
“Keep that up, and he’s going to be one spoiled dog,” Oliver said, a teasing glint in his eyes.
“You should talk about spoiling.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
“Hypocrite,” I whispered, a playful grin tugging at my lips.
Oliver grinned as we headed toward Matthew’s building. When we pulled up, he came out with his doorman, Martin. Matthew was carrying Blackie’s carrier while Martin was loaded down with colorfully wrapped presents. Vlad exited the vehicle to place them in the trunk while Matthew slid into the seat beside Oliver. Blackie immediately barked, and Trouble raised his head, then stood up on my lap.
“Shit, is that a puppy?” Matthew asked as he smoothed his perfectly coiffed hair.
“Yes, it is. My fiancé got me a puppy. His name is Trouble.”
Matthew chuckled as Blackie continued to bark and he opened the carrier to let him out.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Oliver said.
“Blackie is a sweetheart. He won’t hurt Trouble.”
Blackie came over to my lap and climbed up on the seat. Trouble was curious and sniffed at the older dog then plopped down on my lap again with disinterest. I petted Blackie and he sat down next to me, occasionally sniffing at Trouble.
“Looks like they’ll be buddies,” Matthew said.
By the time we got to Finley and Sadie’s building, the dogs were asleep, and I couldn’t stop petting either one of them. The same procedure was repeated as my brother and soon to be sister-in-law came down with their arms loaded with presents. Oliver and I escaped the ritual by having Vlad drop our presents off the day before with the desserts. Sadie sat on the other side of me, cooing over the puppy as we drove toward Hudson Brook.
“When are you springing the news on Mom and Anders,” I heard Matthew ask my brother. I looked up at Sadie.
“You told him too?” I asked.
“Finley did. Everyone knows except your parents and my family so act surprised.”
Sadie’s parents, Kristen and Mark, and her triplet brothers, Paul, Peter and Perry would be sharing Christmas with us. It would be joyful as well as tension filled because Mark had just been laid off from his job as a budget analyst and their financial situation was precarious. It was especially so since the triplets would be going off to college next year. I was hesitant to ask Oliver if he could help.
“I can do surprised, I had plenty of practice.”
Oliver raised his eyebrows. “You should be used to it and if you’re not, you should adjust. I plan to surprise you often for the rest of your life.”
“Surprises aren’t necessary.”
“But they keep life interesting so humor me please.”
Sadie and I giggled and chattered on about our weddings while Matthew, Finley and Oliver discussed the financial markets. It was a subject I found boring and argumentative.
Chapter 15
We pulled up to my parent’s white colonial with gray shutters just before noon, the familiar sight triggering a rush of memories. Each of us piled out of the car, carrying gifts and anticipation. My mother, true to form, had gone all out for Christmas.
As we greeted everyone, the atmosphere was festive, but I couldn’t shake the sense that something was off. Sadie’s parents wore smiles, but their eyes betrayed worry. My best friend had confided in me that Finley had stepped in to help them financially until Mark found a new job. It was a gesture of kindness, but it spoke volumes about their struggles. Her mother’s job as an office manager barely covered the bills.
Amidst the chatter and laughter, I excused myself, feeling a headache building behind my eyes. The room was suffocatingly loud, and I needed a moment of respite. As I stepped out of the bathroom, Oliver was waiting, a determined look in his eyes. Before I could protest, he pushed me back inside, locking the door behind him.
“What are you doing?” I asked, my voice a mix of surprise and amusement.
“You’re too sexy for me to ignore,” Oliver replied, his eyes smoldering with desire.
“You weren’t ignoring me. You were socializing, which surprises me,” I pointed out, raising an eyebrow.
