Page 74 of The Scrooge Effect

I pressed a kiss to her lips. “All of it. I’m not going anywhere.”

“But…you weren’t serious, right? About the whole…other dimension thing?”

Sighing, I pulled her tighter against me. “I knew you’d never believe me.”

“But if it were real, Lock would remember it.”

“I’m telling you, it was as real to me as anything else.”

“But you don’t really think Gracie would have turned to drugs, do you?”

“I don’t know, and I never want to find out. All I know is that it was a slap in the face, seeing you all bundled up on the couch. When I heard Eden ask you why I didn’t want her there⁠—”

“What?” She pulled out of my arms and stepped back. “What are you talking about?”

“Well, that was part of it. I mean, before I saw Gracie, you guys were sitting in front of the fire, watching a movie. She said she thought I didn’t want her there.”

“You couldn’t have possibly heard that.”

“Well, it was a dream,” I laughed.

“But that really happened! We were watching a movie, and she really asked me that!”

“Home Alone,” I murmured, my heart hammering out of my chest as she nodded.

“How did you know?”

“She looked so sad, and she asked why I didn’t like Christmas.”

“And I told her you didn’t have a very good childhood.”

My mouth went dry at her words. “Holy shit. It was real.”

“But…how?”

“I have no idea.” I scrubbed a hand over my face, trying to piece together how any of this was possible. I had actually seen what was happening. It wasn’t a dream. But it was.

“Edu—”

“Eden is not allowed to sleep with anyone until she has a fiancé. And James better stay the hell away from spray paint.”

“Edu—”

“And you! You are never leaving the OPS property. I don’t care if I die and it’s too painful. You will stay exactly where you are and be around people who love you and will protect you. Do you understand me?”

“Okay, okay,” she hurried out, pressing her hands to my chest. “I’ll stay right where I am.”

“Good. And if I die, you have to promise me to find another husband.”

“I mean, I guess I can see if James Earl Jones is interested.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Only in heaven, baby.”

“Well, he is quite handsome, and he has that deep voice,” she grinned.

“Harper,” I growled, tugging her against me.

The radio beeped, and then IRIS came over the line. “Ready when you are.”