Page 111 of A Newport Christmess

“What about those conversations you had with me at Bowen’s Wharf and Grams’s nursing home? It was reverse psychology at its finest.”

She dipped her chin. “Telling you that Quinn deserved a guy that would treasure her was not reverse psychology. It was the truth.”

“You told me not to date her.”

“I told you not to date her unless you were being sincere, which you weren’t at the time. You were being an idiot. Thankfully, you figured it out pretty quickly after that—precisely as I hoped you would.”

Kade wrapped an arm around a smiling Nikki. “A simple, thanks-Nikki-I-owe-my-very-happiness-to-you-and-will-forever-be-in-your-debt is all she’s looking for, man. Just give it to her.”

I laughed, shaking my head, but sobered when I met her eyes. “Thank you. For real. I’m sorry I was such a Grinch about the whole thing. Had I known ...”

“Had you known, you would have let me set you up with her while you were working in L.A.”

I paused. “Quinn was the friend you wanted me to take out?”

Nikki nodded. “But honestly, I’m not sure you would have had the emotional bandwidth to realize the opportunity I’d handed you—and I wasn’t even sure I could convince Quinn to go out with you. So, as luck would have it, she happened to be an extremely talented baker, I was in need of some beautiful centerpieces for my wedding, and you had the perfect place for her to bake the gingerbread houses. It all worked out perfectly.” She turned to Kade. “And I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Kade tipped his head from side to side. “I do make a wicked sidekick to your scheming.”

Nikki kissed his cheek. “You do.”

“When does your flight leave again?” Julie asked, glancing at her watch.

“Not until eight tonight,” Kade answered. “We’ve got a few more hours until we have to head to the airport.”

Julie leaned forward onto her elbows and gave a sigh. “Thailand sounds dreamy.”

“Our resort caters to honeymooners.” Nikki sent me a meaningful glance. “We’ll let you know how it is. You know, so you can start gathering ideas.”

I smiled, recalling where Quinn had mentioned wanting to travel. “I was thinking England might be a good option. When the time comes.”

“Uncle Landon.” Chloe’s voice brought my gaze to the entryway. She stood by herself but glanced to the side, like Quinn was just out of sight. “Are you ready for your present?”

“Here.” Nikki stood and scooped Reid out of my arms. “I’ll gladly take this dapper little man.”

“Ready,” I said, feeling a twinge of nerves. I had a vague idea of what Quinn’s surprise present was—the whole house had smelled like ginger and cinnamon yesterday while Quinn, Sandra, Julie, and Chloe were holed up in the kitchen—but besides it being made of gingerbread, I had no idea what they’d made.

Chloe nodded, and Quinn appeared around the corner, taking careful steps as she carried her present toward me.

I stared in awe, a grin creeping onto my lips.

“A rocket ship?” Grams said, smiling brightly from her chair. “My grandson Landon tried to make a gingerbread rocket ship a few years ago. It wasn’t very good, but I’m guessing that’s what he wanted it to look like.”

Laughter filled every corner of the large, crowded room.

“You’re right, Grams,” I said. “Except, this one is even better than the one I imagined.”

Quinn’s cheeks glowed pink, and she set it down on the table next to me. “I know it isn’t much—”

“It’s amazing.” I stared at it, taking in all the intricate details. “Did you do that NASA logo?”

“Yes, but don’t look too close, or you’ll find all the imperfections.”

I held her gaze. “It’s absolutely perfect—imperfections included.”

She beamed at my compliment—at my meaning behind it—and I knew I would do whatever it took to always make her feel cherished and worthy of the love she wholly deserved. I reached up and grabbed Quinn’s hand, pulling her onto my lap. Then, in front of my whole family and my disgusted nephews, I kissed her like she deserved, for being the sole giver of all happiness and good things.

EPILOGUE