Page 93 of A Heart Falls Cowboy Christmas

“I’ll grab us drinks,” Sasha offered. “Be right back.”

“Okay.” Jinx settled back in her chair, looking around contentedly.

She wasn’t surprised when she spotted Logan pretty much right off the bat. Of course her radar went straight to him.

He stood across the room, chatting with Declan and Sasha’s dad. He seemed so grown-up, listening earnestly to Mr. Stone. Nodding at Declan, then sharing himself, so confident and calm.

Even looking at him made butterflies take off in her belly, but more than the physical reaction, thinking of time spent with him made something inside feel…

Just feel.

They’d spent more and more time together over the past months. Done more physically, but the talking and being together had been just as important.

Was it love? Jinx wasn’t sure, but there were other things that she was certain of.

She trusted Logan. Trusted him to care for her, to lift her up and to protect in all the right ways. Not by locking her inside a space that was safe but stagnant. He protected her by helping her see possible paths forward, then waited until she picked one and then he walked beside her.

“You’re staring again.” Sasha placed a drink in front of her then sat and sipped her own drink, lips curled into a teasing smile.

“He’s nice to look at,” Jinx offered without a blush.

Sasha stopped and examined Logan harder, as if seeing him for the first time. She nodded. “Yeah, he’s easy on the eyes. I like them darker and more mysterious.”

Jinx laughed, linking her fingers with Sasha’s. “I’m going to miss you so much.”

Her best friend made a hiccupping sound. “Don’t get me started crying. I’ve avoided it until now, and I don’t want the last sight everyone sees of me this year to be with tear streaks down my cheeks and a puffy red nose.”

“Well, I can see why that would be good to avoid,” Jinx deadpanned, leaning into Sasha’s side and growing more serious. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had.”

“Still going to be your best friend. You can come see me anytime. And who knows? Maybe down the road things will change. Maybe you’ll come for longer than a visit.” Sasha poked her gently in the arm. “But for now you have a lot to look forward to. You and your folks and Jaden leave for Hawaii tomorrow, right?”

Jinx grinned. “I finally get to go to the Sorenson annual family holiday bash. There are going to be so many people there, it’s hard to believe how excited I am.”

“More than half of them are kids,” Sasha pointed out. “But yeah, Uncle Zach is nice, and Auntie Julia is amazing.” She grinned. “I like that we share an uncle and auntie.”

“Makes us cousins in spirit if not on paper.” Jinx snickered. “I tried to figure out exactly what we’d be called…like second cousins or something, but there is no name for my mom’s brother is married to your mom’s sister, so we have to be related.”

“Cousins by choice,” Sasha suggested. “If family by choice is a thing, and it is, then we’re family.”

Warmth spread in Jinx’s heart. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted, you know. Family.”

Sasha looked a little watery again. “Jinx,” she warned.

“I’m sorry, but it’s true.” She squeezed Sasha’s fingers. “Now, in the hopes it keeps us both from turning on the waterworks, I’m going to grab Logan for a dance.”

“You go, girl.” Sasha pressed a kiss to her fingers then blew it at Jinx before she headed across the hall.

Logan spotted her coming, and by the time she reached his side, Declan and Mr. Stone were also smiling at her.

“Sorry for stealing him away, but he promised me a dance,” Jinx told the older men, confident enough to look them both in the eye and offer a smile. They were like Logan, trustworthy to the core, and she was grateful to have them in her life.

“Have fun,” Declan offered. “Not to be a pain, but remember you’re headed to the airport at four a.m.”

“We’ll be home on time,” Logan promised as he linked fingers with her.

“Have fun in Hawaii, Jinx. And Merry Christmas.” Mr. Stone dipped his head in approval. “We’ll see you in the new year, okay?”

“Definitely,” she agreed. “Merry Christmas.”