James returns with a tray, setting it on the table. “Who’s for coffee?”

Richard shudders. “Not for me James.”

“You can share mine,” offers Mitch, reaching for her teapot.

Richard scowls at the peppermint-scented steam.

James pours into a cup and saucer then offers it up. “Ryan?”

“Thank you, yes.” Ryan sips at the coffee then freezes, staring at the tablecloth. “Fuck me. Is this what he drinks?”

“’fraid so.”

He glares. “You could have warned me. It’s like fucking refrigerator coolant.”

Across the table, Mitch looks up to the mistletoe above the hearth. “Larry?”

“Yes?” He looks in the right general direction, but nothing registers in his expression.

Clueless…

She casts eyes upward again, this time definitely eye-pointing.

He shuffles in his seat. “Mitch, this isn't really...”

Mitch stands, placing herself squarely under the mistletoe, pats her lips with a forefinger. “I'm going to insist.”

Larry’s mouth works and a flush rises up his neck…

Way outside his comfort zone…

… nonetheless, he stands, loops an arm around the lovely woman and kisses her lightly on the lips…

she latches on

opens his mouth over

Rhett and

They had nothing.

watches them, his face

slip fingers into his. “It’s something special they

in his other hand, turning it over and over in his fingers.

must have misheard him. “Sorry,

the something. “Marry me.” In his outstretched hand is the ring from

I swallow hard.

it.” He offers the ring

me, silence has fallen. Every

can’t get enough

think

the ring into my palm, curling my fingers around it. “I’m

for cheese and liqueurs?” It’s James voice, bright and cheerful. Gratefully, I turn to him. “Kirstie, what would you

*****

speaks cheerfully, but it sounds forced. “I don’t see any

at a fingernail. “Um, with everything that happened, I don’t think…”

release your death-grip on Cara for five minutes, Michael and I will show you your Christmas present. Your present from Richard and

Her forehead crinkles.

“It’s from all of us, Babe. Go put on some warm clothes. And boots and socks. Get yourself well

eyes widen. “My

scarf and gloves and a warm jacket,”

“But Cara…”

out her arms. “I’ll take her,” she says. She grins too, impishly. “It will be good practice for

“Aren’t you coming?”

hand on Beth’s thigh. “I would prefer that Elizabeth stay warm and quiet

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