Page 59 of Terms and Traditions

“One, you’re hardly a mastermind if you’re telling me your evil plans, and two, that’s an HR fire waiting to happen.”

Liz groaned. “Spoilsport. Fine, just our house then.”

“Are you sure that isn’t just for your and Ben’s benefit?” Paisley asked slyly.

Liz groaned. “Three and a half months. Do you know how hard that is?”

“Yes!” Juliet and Paisley chimed in, and we all laughed.

We chatted for a few more minutes about blasé things and trading Christmas family escapades. Liz was in good hands with Ben and his family for the holidays, and I missed those few Idaho Christmases we’d spent with Juliet, Paisley, and the rest of the Satterfield clan. Soon after, Paisley and Juliet said their good nights first, but Liz stayed on the line a minute longer.

“You know how you said to be careful about my heart?” I whispered.

Liz was quiet for a moment. “Yes.”

“I think it’s too late.”

“Do you love him, Steph?”

Did I? It felt too soon for that word. We’d been fake dating for less than a week. True, we’d been friends longer than that, and I’d admired him for years. But love? “Isn’t it too soon? It would be crazy, right?”

Liz snorted. “You’ve had two years to think about it, honey. Crushes fade. If this hasn’t, maybe it’s because it’s the real thing. Let me ask you again. Do you love him?”

“Yeah,” I whispered. “I think I do.”

“Falling in love can be scary, especially when you haven’t done it before,” Liz said soothingly. “But if he’s the one God has for you, it’ll work out. Are you feeling anxious?”

“That he’ll decide he can do better than me,” I whispered.

“Steph, not everyone will abandon you like your dad or those stupid guys you’ve gone out with. I’m still here.”

For now. I shoved that aside and confessed, “He makes me feel safe. Like I can breathe. I’ve never felt that way before.”

“Then I think you should see where this goes. Thoughtfully. Prayerfully. Don’t let fear hold you back.”

I silently offered a prayer of thanks for such a friend, who could celebrate my joys while also calling out my self-sabotaging tendencies. “Thanks, Liz. And thank Ben for letting me borrow you. I’ll get out of your hair and let you get back to smooching.” The conversation about my dad could wait for a different time. I wasn’t in the mood to rehash it all again.

She laughed. “You saved him from a round of charades. Trust me, he’s your biggest fan right now.”

Exhaustion pulled at me as I joined the laughter. I’d won the friendship lottery with a friend who could make me smile no matter how close I was to tears. “Love you, Liz.”

“Love you right back.”

After hanging up, I pulled out the knitted garment I had been working on and finished stitching together the final seams. Nash’s gift was done with no time to spare. I tucked it into the gift bag I’d brought before burrowing back under the covers.

I barely heard Hailey come in a few minutes later. And after a mumbled good night, I rolled over to face the wall, a smile touching my lips, and fell asleep dreaming of Christmas morning, pantry kisses, and a dark-eyed handsome man with adorable glasses holding my hand.

Chapter twenty-six

Text Thread - The Wise Guys

Later that night

EMMETT

The girls want to know if your hideous self won the ugly contest.

No, that wasn’t a typo.