Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
I wore the new necklace Wyatt gave me to Christmas at Olivia and Ethan’s house. Vicki asked if it was what he gave me and giggled when she said they were being very covert to hide presents for me when I didn’t notice.
“I’m very impressed,” I admitted. “I was really surprised when I saw it on my bed.”
Hunter snorted. Vicki smacked him. I wasn’t going to ask because I was fairly sure I knew that meant they heard me when I was on the phone with Wyatt.
Not going there.
“Wyatt insisted I put it somewhere you’d have to see it but not give it to you myself. And he wanted the ornament front and center on the tree.”
I shook my head at myself. “I still can’t believe I didn’t see it.”
“You weren’t thinking about it. I tried to make sure you wouldn’t notice it right away.”
“I never would have found it if he didn’t tell me it was there.”
“You’re staying at his place tonight?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“I like seeing you happy.”
“Right back at ya, sis.”
Hunter glanced at Vicki, a dopey grin on his face that made me smile. He was a good guy. He was definitely going to take care of my sister.
Olivia and Ethan’s house was all decked out with lights around the windows and along the roof. A small planted tree was in a pot next to the front door. Even the snowman in the front yard was wearing a Santa hat and a red and green scarf. They were invested in the holidays. Their first as a family.
Vicki knocked then walked inside. Hunter and I followed her into the chaos. Becca zipped past us, chasing Kevin and a yellow lab puppy around the couch.
“They have a dog?” I asked.
“Must have been a Christmas present.”
We moved into the room, hanging coats near the door. I set my overnight bag down with my purse and hoped the puppy didn’t pee in either of them.
Olivia rushed out with a smile. “Hey guys! I didn’t hear the door.”
“I can’t imagine why,” Vicki teased. “The house looks amazing.”
I nodded with her taking in the candles lit all over, the stunning tree in the corner near the window, and the picture of the four of them from the wedding with garland strung over it.
“Thanks. I made the mistake of letting Ethan pick out the tree and the kids decorate it.”
“It’s gorgeous,” Vicki argued. “They did a great job.”
Olivia looked at it and nodded. “They really did. I think Christmas threw up on it, but it’s beautiful because they did it. And it was nice to have the help since I was so swamped with everything for the winter festival.”
“How are the plans for that coming?” Vicki asked.
“Good. I’m ready for next weekend so I can relax for a little while.”
We followed Olivia to the kitchen. Abby, Graham, Charlie, and Max were talking to Ethan. We said hi to all of them, exchanging hugs and kisses on the cheek. It was still strange to me that they all acted like family instead of friends, but I got over it.
Olivia handed me a glass of wine as we heard more voices. “Back here!” she called out. In seconds we saw Tara followed by Noah and Sawyer.
Sawyer made the rounds then headed over to me with his own glass of wine. “Where’s your boyfriend?”
I laughed. “Wyatt isn’t my boyfriend and he isn’t here yet.”
“Say what you want. I bet he’ll growl at me for talking to you.”
“He will not. We’re very casual.”
“Uh huh. So, get anyone pregnant lately?”
“I sure did. How about you?”
“Ouch, doc. That hurts. And no. I hope not.”
“You’re going to be miserable when some Hawaiian beauty snags your attention and doesn’t let go.”
“If anyone could do it, it would definitely be a Hawaiian beauty. Those women are hot.”
“I bet you fall for your new boss.”
“Ha! Not gonna happen. She’s strung so tight she could shoot arrows from her ass.”
“I bet she’d sing if you plucked her the right way.”
He paused with his glass halfway to his lips. They curled up into a devilish grin that he turned on me. “Damn, doc. You’re a dirty girl. I like the way you think.”
Sawyer wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me tight to his side. And of course, that was when Wyatt walked in.
He shot Sawyer a glare before walking over to Olivia. He kissed her cheek first, then shook hands with Ethan. He worked his way around the room until he made it to where Sawyer and I were.
With Sawyer’s arm still around my waist.
“Sawyer.”
“Wyatt.”
“Pey?”
“Hey,” I said, stepping away from Sawyer to hug Wyatt. His face went into my neck and he held me tight for a long moment. Long enough that I started to forget we were in a crowded room.
“Necklace looks good on you,” Wyatt said, finally pulling back.
“I love it,” I told him, meeting his eyes.
He nodded, then faced Sawyer. Who had a shit-eating grin on his face.
“Told you,” Sawyer said.
Wyatt looked between the two of us with a question mark.
“He did not growl at you,” I argued.
“Might as well have. He's marking his territory. Aren’t you?”
Wyatt took a second to understand what Sawyer was saying, then tightened his grasp on my waist. “When are you moving to the other side of the world again?”
Sawyer barked a laugh and clapped Wyatt on the shoulder. “He’s a good one, Peyton. You chose well.”
Then Sawyer was gone.
“What was that about?”
I shook my head. “Sawyer being Sawyer. He asked where you were and said you’d be pissed if you saw us talking.”
Wyatt shrugged. “There’s a bit of that, but I trust you. There’s no reason for you to avoid all men. Young, single, attractive men who are moving to an exotic location might make me a little anxious.”
I gave him a look that said he was crazy. “Sawyer’s name wasn’t on my lips earlier today. Nor was his face on my screen. Or his massive cock.”
“How do you know he has a massive cock?” Wyatt teased.
“Well, look at him. All the hot guys have big dicks.”
“Ah. Good to know. Is every man here ‘hot’ in your mind?”
I shrugged and turned to face him. “I guess. But you’re definitely the hottest in the room.”
He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. “What does that mean?” he whispered in my ear.
“It means you’re the biggest.”
“I really hope you don’t know that for sure, but I’ll take the compliment.”
I laughed. “No previous knowledge of any of the penises in this room. Just very intimate knowledge of yours. Hopefully I’ll get some more of that soon.”
“All night, Peyton.”
“We’d like to make a toast,” Ethan said from behind me. “As this is our first Christmas as a family, we’re honored to share it with all of you. To a Christmas of surprises and happiness, and many more to come.”
We all raised our glasses. “Here, here!”
Wyatt and I touched glasses then clinked with everyone else.
“Dinner is ready,” Olivia announced. “Let’s all sit.”
Everyone grabbed a plate and filled them with food that lined the kitchen counters.
Olivia and Ethan had seating for twelve and encouraged whoever didn’t get a chair to sit in the living room on the couch.
Wyatt, Sawyer, and I hung back and decided to just stand so we could be a part of the conversation in the kitchen.
“Dude, I’m blind!” Sawyer yelled when we set our plates down on the working side of the island. He pointed to Vicki’s ring and asked, “What is that?”
“If you’re going to be shooting weddings, you might want to figure out what an engagement ring is,” Vicki said with a roll of her eyes and a grin.
“Did someone say ‘engagement ring?’” Olivia asked.
Vicki stood up and proudly waved her hand around.
Olivia, Abby, and Charlie got up from the table.
Tara captured Vicki’s hand, examining the ring on it.
They all cooed over the ring, congratulating Hunter on picking a good ring.
Noah shifted in his seat, something that didn’t go unnoticed by Sawyer or me.
“My brother feels like he’s on the spot now,” Sawyer whispered.
“Why?” I whispered back.
“Because he was going to ask Tara here, tonight.”
“What?”
Sawyer nodded. “Tara brought gifts for the kids. Noah asked Becca if she would help him with a special present just for Tara. She doesn’t know what it is, but you know Bex.”
“That’s so sweet,” I cooed. “She’ll be so excited.”
“Noah hopes so. But I can see he’s thinking twice. Won’t want to show up the other couple.”
I shook my head. “Vicki won’t care. We all know Tara’s been dying to get married.”
“Where have I been?”
I shrugged. “All over the world.”
“Touché, doc.”
“What are you two whispering about?” Wyatt asked.
I turned to him and said, “Sawyer said Noah’s going to propose and think he’s backing out now that Vicki has a new ring on her finger.”
Wyatt shook his head. “He should do it how he planned.”
“That’s what I said.”
We ate dinner and chatted about wedding plans. Vicki made a lot of decisions in just a few hours. The one that shocked me the most was when she said, “Well, Peyton is my maid of honor. At least, I hope she is. Did I ask you that this morning?”
I was speechless. I know I stared at her with a goofy grin for a good long moment. Then I nodded. “Of course. I’d love to.”
Vicki went on sharing her plans with Tara, leaving me to be baffled.
“You didn’t know she was going to ask you?” Wyatt said.
I shook my head. “Not a clue.”
“It’s good, right?”
I nodded. “Definitely.”
* * *
We finished dinner and moved into the living room. Sawyer hung around Wyatt and me, which made Wyatt seem more than a touch jealous. He kept his hand low on my waist and kissed me constantly.
Of course, Sawyer noticed. And flirted even more outrageously with me.
“When are you coming to Hawaii, Peyton?”
“I didn’t realize I was.”
“Hell yeah. We’ll hang out at the beach, and I’ll get you in a little bikini. You look like you need a break.”
Wyatt stepped closer. If he got any closer to me, he’d have to pick me up.
“I do need a break, but I don’t think Hawaii is in my plans.”
“Why not? I know you’ve got crazy cash.”
I snorted. “I also have crazy debt. Med school wasn’t cheap. Neither was starting my own practice.”
“Yeah, but you can stay with me. I have a room all to myself and a queen bed. I like to snuggle at night.”
“Seriously?” Wyatt finally said.
Sawyer burst out laughing. “Just trying to get a reaction out of you, man. I hope you know what you’ve got."
Wyatt wrapped both arms around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder. “Trust me, I know. Now back off.”
Sawyer’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Alright, alright. But seriously, if you both want to come to Hawaii, I’ll put you up. Just give me a little while to get the lay of the land.”
“Where are you living?”
“The chick I’m working for found me a room to rent. I can get in February 1 so I’m heading out the end of January. Stay in a hotel for a couple nights.”
“And you’re on the Big Island?” I asked.
Sawyer nodded. “Yep. That way I can see the volcanoes whenever I want. Plus, there’s a lot of hiking and camping there. And surfing of course.”
“You have this all planned out, don’t you?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I’m ready to be settled in one place for a while. Someplace with lots of sunshine and curvy, sexy women in little bikinis. Mm. I can’t wait.”
“You’re horrible,” I said with a roll of my eyes.
“Nope. Just honest. I’m saying what everyone else thinks but won’t say. Like my brother who’s been planning this proposal forever. Jeez, I wish he’d just get on with it already. It’s not like she’s going to say no.”
“Who’s not going to say no to what?” Tara asked, joining our conversation. “What are you guys talking about?”