“Because that’s what they are.”
“They can’t be that bad.” She wrinkles her nose.
“Just wait and see.”
My brothers watch their mouths around Wren, which I appreciate. Father doesn’t seem that interested in her, but who is he ever interested in? Grant, and that’s about it. The rest of us can go to hell.
Alyssa senses an ally and makes plenty of conversation with her, which eases Wren’s nerves. I appreciate what Alyssa is doing, and tell her as much as we get ready to open presents.
Grant better marry her soon—no one tolerates his grumpy ass like she does.
Mother loves Wren. I can tell by the way she looks at her. The things she says. The gift she gave my parents—a set of tree ornaments in Tiffany blue crystal from Tiffany’s.
The gift she gives me is small. Sentimental. A five by seven framed map with a red dot on the gallery I followed her to in Tribeca.
“These are more for where a couple first met,” she says, her cheeks pink as she explains it. “But the gallery is where everything…changed for us.”
I stare at the framed map. The red dot that’s really in the shape of a heart. Too bad it’s not a pair of red lips. “I love it.”
“Do you really? You don’t think it’s cheesy?”
I lean in and press my mouth to hers. “Nothing you give me is cheesy. I love this.”
“You two—” Grant starts, but Alyssa slaps her hand over his mouth, muffling whatever else he wanted to say.
“Are very cute,” Alyssa finishes for him.
Grant rolls his eyes. Finn snorts.
I say nothing. Just smile at the girl who has my heart.
Shit. That’s still a little hard for me to wrap my head around.
Once presents are opened, everyone splits off in a different direction, and I drag Wren back to my bedroom. I’m about to shut the door when she stops me.
“We should leave it open.”
I frown. “Why?”
“Isn’t it a little…inappropriate?” She makes a face.
Ah, my innocent birdy. Still so sweet.
Leaving the door partially open, I go to her, pulling her in for a kiss. She responds immediately, pressing her lush body to mine, her arms circling my neck and her fingers diving into my hair. I break the kiss first, staring into her eyes.
“Tell me you want that door to remain open.”
“I’m not having sex with you on Christmas Day with your family here,” she whispers.
“It’s not Christmas. It’s your birthday.”
“Whatever.” She shakes her head. “Are we really dressing up for dinner?”
“Oh, get ready. My mom lives for that shit.”
“I like her. Do you think she likes me?”
I kiss her again. “Definitely. She liked your gift.”
“I’m glad. I really struggled with it.” Her gaze goes to her brand-new Chanel bag sitting on the foot of my bed. “I love my gifts from you.”
“Oh yeah?” I run my fingers through her silky soft hair, staring at her pretty face. I could look at this face forever and never get tired of it. “I probably went overboard.”
“You so went overboard.” She grins before kissing me. “I loved it though. That you bought me A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime…”
“You loved it.”
“So much.”
“I meant to send you a blank canvas but forgot,” I admit.
She laughs. “We can go buy some.”
“You’d remake it for me?”
Her brows shoot up. “You’d want me to?”
I nod. “Definitely. I like the idea of a canvas hanging in my house with your lipstick prints all over it. A million kisses just for me.”
She throws herself at me, her body colliding with mine just before she kisses me. I hold her close, my hand clutching the back of her head as I devour her mouth, my tongue sweeping, tangling with hers. I break away to whisper against her lips the three words I never believed I would say to Wren Beaumont.
“I love you.”
Her shiny eyes meet mine. “I love you too.”
“I meant what I said when I gave you A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime.” I pause. “I want to give you that in real life too. I want to be the one you always want to kiss. The only one you wear Chanel lipstick for.”
Her smile is huge. Blinding. “I don’t want to kiss anyone else. Just you, Crew. Only you.”
She kisses me again to prove it.
FIFTY-THREE
WREN
It’s New Year’s Eve. My least favorite holiday of the year.
I’m at the Lancaster residence with my boyfriend. His parents went to a party and they’re staying the night at the hotel where the festivities are being held, and Crew promised we’d be all alone.
Just the two of us.
But the moment I show up at his apartment, I realize he tricked me, and I don’t mind at all. There are people from school there. People I know and like, including Maggie. Lara and Brooke. I spot Ezra and Malcolm talking in a corner, the both of them laughing. Balloons crowd the ceiling with long curling ribbons, all of them pink and gold and white. Pink roses cover every available space and there’s a tower of champagne glasses on a table, each one full of the bubbly liquid.
I spot a pink and white cake on another table, surrounded by presents.
It’s everything I described to him that night. Every single thing.
I glance up at Crew, who’s watching me with so much love shining in his eyes.
“You threw me a party,” I whisper.
“A New Year’s birthday party,” he says, grabbing hold of my hand and pulling me in for a kiss. “I hope you don’t mind.”
I’m so overwhelmed I’m afraid I might cry.
“I don’t mind,” I croak, grateful he holds me close so I can sniff into his shoulder, closing my eyes tight so the tears don’t leak.
“You look beautiful, Birdy,” he murmurs when I finally pull away.
I’m wearing a sparkly white dress. The sleeves are poufy and the bodice is deep, showing plenty of cleavage. The skirt is extra short and I leave a trail of iridescent glitter everywhere I go.
“Thank you. So do you.”
Crew is in a suit. Black. White shirt underneath, the top buttons undone, no tie necessary. He looks handsome and sexy, and every time his gaze lands on me, my skin goes hot, because I know what he’s thinking about.
Me and him, naked. That’s happening soon, after the guests leave. But right now, I want to go say hi to everyone.
So I do.
I make the social rounds, Crew by my side, like we’re a real couple, which we are. There’s a table laden with catered food and plenty to drink, and eventually I get a plate, loading it with food before I grab a glass of champagne from the tower and sit with Maggie, drinking and eating while we catch up with each other.
It feels so good, spending time with my friends and knowing Crew is nearby, always with a steady eye on me. He mentioned to me a few days ago that he and Ezra talked it out, and they’re not angry at each other anymore, which makes my heart happy.
Eventually someone starts playing music and it’s so loud, people start dancing. The alcohol is flowing.
It’s turned into a real party.
“Have a drink, Wren!” Ezra encourages and I shake my head.
“I’ll wait until midnight,” I tell him, sending a secretive glance in my boyfriend’s direction.
“Aw come on—”
“Leave her the fuck alone, Ez,” Crew says, effectively shutting his friend up.
I can’t help but giggle. He’s still so grouchy. But never really toward me.
When it’s close to midnight, I end up standing by the Christmas tree, staring out at the city’s glittering lights. The heavy scent of pine still lingers, and I glance over at the tree, taken by the white lights. Crew comes up to me, I see his reflection in the window. He wraps his arm around my middle, his hand splayed across my stomach as I lean into his solid weight behind me.
“I want to tear off this dress.” He streaks his fingers across my stomach.
“If you tear it, I’ll hurt you.”
He chuckles near my ear. “So ferocious. You’ve learned how to step it up, Birdy.”
Thanks to him. And my mother. And my own self. I don’t need to be scared and worried all the time. I can do things on my own.
I can be my own person. I don’t need anyone’s help—unless I ask for it.