Page 156
Taylen turns to face Bastian. His eyes have gone bright in that way they do when he’s about to make my brother miserable in the most delightful way possible.
“Bastian Hall, did you spend hours wrapping my present?”
“No.”
“Finn just said—”
“Finn is a liar.”
I shake my head. “Just ask Mom.”
“What is it?” Taylen leans closer to him. His hand slides under Bastian’s sweater. “Come on, baby. What is it?”
“You cannot have it until tomorrow morning.”
“Tomorrow?”
“That is when Christmas presents are opened, Taylen.”
“We have broken so many rules I stopped keeping track.”
“Well, we care about rules this year.”
“Since when.”
“Since I spent hours on a fucking ribbon.”
Taylen makes a small, delighted sound. I watch my brother turn a deeper shade of pink, and I have to look away because I’m going to laugh, which might upset Bastian.
Taylen leans his head against my brother’s shoulder and beams at me. Bastian sighs and puts his arm around Taylen.
My brother has grown insufferable this last year. Living with Taylen has softened all his edges, and it turns out that a soft-edged Bastian is somehow both easier to love and make fun of.
I love this for us.
Emmett rounds the corner of the food tent, waving as he approaches us, his curls now escaping from under his green beanie.
“Boss, the mayor is ready for his speech. We have ten minutes.”
“I’m coming.”
“Also, Fox is here.”
My whole chest blooms.
“Where?”
“By the stage. The mayor found him first and dragged him into a photo op.”
I laugh. “Poor Foster.”
“He looks fine. The mayor’s holding a plate of cookies for him. It’s not a hostage situation.”
“Great. Let’s go.”
I finish my cider in three long sips. Bastian and Taylen fall into step beside me, and we cross the field toward the main stage.
Fox is at the base of the stage. He’s wearing the dark-green wool coat I got him for his birthday and my scarf that I’ve officially conceded is his now. Mayor Caldwell is beside him with a plate of cookies from Noëlle’s booth as promised, and Fox is doing his stage smile.
