Page 59 of Yours for the Night
“No, Mom, they can wait!” Lucy snatches the bowl from Mom’s hands.
My sister has been grumpier and bossier than normal. Greg’s not here and hasn’t been for the past couple family dinners. She says he’s just working but refuses to talk about it. I’m starting to worry about her.
“We need to work on the blossoms,” Lucy continues.
“No. We can’t?—”
And on and on they bicker back and forth like clockwork. Taylor, Harlow, and I exchange knowing looks. Even if Lucy wasn’t in rare form, it’s not Christmas Eve without these two bickering.
Dad steals another cookie. Taylor walks toward Landon and stands on her tiptoes to get a better look at her sleeping daughter.
Harlow bumps my hip and points with her head down the hall, and I giddily follow her. We disappear into my childhood bedroom, Harlow pushing me against the door.
“Are they going to do this every year?” she asks.
“What? You mean you don’t want to mediate my sister and mom again?” I tug on the strap of her apron, pulling her in closer to me.
“Nope.” She laughs before kissing me. I feel the rush of tingles down to my toes.
“But it was so hot when you did it last year.”
She lifts one curious eyebrow. “Oh yeah?”
“Mhm,” I say and curl my arms around her neck. “But I think everything you do is hot.”
She laughs.
“Does it bother you my mom knew about us—and apparently for a long damn time?”
Harlow exhales heavily. “No. But I am surprised she never said anything.”
“She is the worst with keeping secrets.” I chuckle.
“Not as much as you apparently,” she teases.
“Oh, my god. Stop!” I complain until Harlow leans in to kiss my neck. My eyelids flutter shut, and I sink into her.
“I love you,” she whispers.
“I love you too,” I say softly before kissing her.
Thinking back to us in this room a year ago—me stupidly putting my foot in my mouth after the hottest one-night stand of my life—I’d never in my wildest dreams imagine we’d be here like this today. I couldn’t be more thankful. We kiss a little longer, then rejoin everyone in the kitchen. Harlow gives me a soft smile, and my chest is full with so much warmth.
It’s never felt so good being home.
