Page 239 of Rush

“I’ve gotta go. Christmas with Ma—which means church, to pray for our sins.”

“I might be a lost cause.” I laugh, throwing on a hoodie and follow him out.

I hear Riley in the kitchen. Broderick stops short in the living room and beelines for the Christmas tree.

“I didn’t get a chance to give this to you last night,” he says, bending down to pick up a gold gift bag and handing it to me.

“What? You didn’t have to get me anything,” I say, frowning.

“I think you’ll like it—trust me, it cost me nothing.”

I dig my hand into the bag and pull out a haphazardly wrapped present, tearing into it. Inside is a CD. The front readsElena’s Mix Vol. 2. This time, he’s created a collage of photos from our time on the road together—Chicago, Vegas.

My heart clenches. “Broderick.” It’s all I can manage as I look up at him, his green eyes sparkling with excitement—and something else.

“Turn it over,” he murmurs.

When I do, I gasp, staring at the collection of songs he’s curated for me once again.

It says all the things he wants to say but won’t—for fear of scaring me away.

“Thank you,” I whisper, my fingertips tracing the handwritten tracklist.

Unlike the first time he gave me a playlist, I let myself settle into what this moment means for us. Maybe the start of something else…something more?

He leans down and kisses my forehead, lingering just a second too long. “Can I see you tonight?”

“Yes, please. Did you want to stay over again?” I offer, caressing his face, my thumb resting in his dimple—wanting to give him the more he’s asking for. The more he deserves.

His eyes widen. “Is this my Christmas gift?”

“One of them.” I tug at his shirt, pulling him closer. “Only if you’re a good boy.”

He chuckles. “I’ll be a good boy if you behave yourself with the parentals.”

“I make no promises,” I say, wrapping my robe tighter around me. “Tell the family I said Merry Christmas.”

“Will do.”

He steals one last kiss before leaving.

I join Riley in the kitchen, feeling drunk on Broderick. She’s busy making coffee and toast in her robe.

“You’re glowing,” I mutter.

“Same could be said for you.” She smirks. “Plus, you lined up the shots last night—thanks for that.”

“Wing-woman duties. I got you…so I take it you two had fun?”

“We did, but it’s a one-time thing—won’t happen again. He snuck out of here quick-smart.”

I sense the disappointment in her voice. Luca’s got the rest of the holidays off, so we probably won’t see him ‘til the new year.

“Is that what you want?” I ask, making myself a cup of coffee.

She shrugs. “Yeah. Anyway, enough about that. It’s Christmas! Merry Christmas, babe!—guess you guys broke the no-sleep-over rule?”

“Nice deflection,” I quip, nudging her. “Let’s get ready.”