Holiday Hoax (Windy City Holidates #3)

Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

MIA

The first snowflakes of the season fall as I walk into the community center Thanksgiving morning alongside Nico and Stella. A line is already forming along the side of the building, people coming from all over the city looking for a hot meal and some company. A few of the volunteers are handing out cups of hot chocolate and coffee along with packs of hand warmers.

Nico grabs the door handle and holds it open for both Stella and I to enter. The first thing I see is the serious and grumpy Asher Bennett in what can only be described as a pouty stance. His body is covered head to toe in fuzzy brown fur with antlers extending from a hood and a halter lined with bells. Nico erupts with laughter behind me, and I find that I can’t hold mine back. Stella can’t either.

“I don’t know why you’re laughing, you’ll be joining me in this ridiculous outfit soon enough.” Ash plants his hands on his hips.

“Where’s the furry convention?” Nico goads.

Ash flashes his middle finger, which only makes us laugh harder.

Clara comes into the room wearing a green velvet dress trimmed with white fur and red and green striped stockings. Her arms are full of two garment bags which she hands off to Nico and Stella with a big smile. She turns to me with open arms as they walk off to change.

“How are you, Mia?”

“I’m good.” I return her hug and then give Ash one as well. “Better now that I’m seeing this. I’ve never seen him look so approachable.”

“Don’t start.” He keeps his arm draped over my shoulders in a brotherly way. “Why haven’t we seen you around?”

“Work has been keeping me busy.”

“That’s boring. You’re in your twenties, you should be out dating and meeting new people every night. Being chained to work isn’t good.”

“I know that is not what you were doing in your twenties.” Ian’s voice comes from behind us.

My heart leaps at the sound of his deep tenor. I turn and fight the desire to run to his arms and wrap myself around him. He looks delectable in dark wash jeans and a navy sweater layered over an oxford.

He gives me an appreciative look up and down before greeting Ash with a handshake and giving Clara a polite nod and smile. I step to the side as Ian places himself between Ash and me.

“You have me there,” Ash says. “How’s business going? Heard you’ve been spending a lot of time in Asia?”

Clara and I walk away to let the guys talk business.

“I have Santa hats for you and Ian to wear over your hairnets.” She holds one green and one red out in her hand. “Pick your color.”

“Definitely the green,” I say as I pluck it from her hand. “Everything looks great.” I look around the space, knowing all the work she’s put into it.

“Thank you.” She looks over at me, a shadow passing over her eyes. “We’re already outgrowing it. I don’t know how to keep up with the needs of the city. There are so many unhoused, and we need more funding to expand.”

“I could ask Sylvia if she wanted to put her head together with you about maybe hosting a fundraiser at the gallery? Most of our artists are always open to donating a piece for a good cause.”

“That would be amazing.”

She shows me to the station I’ll be at. A few minutes later Ian steps up beside me. His knuckles brush the back of my hand.

“Someone was jealous,” I murmur.

“I don’t like seeing another man with an arm around you.”

“Ash is like another big brother to me. I’ve known him since I was seven.”

“And?” His gaze bores down into mine, the intensity of it making heat flood my veins.

I like that he’s jealous. A slow smile curls my lips as I decide to needle him. I lean toward him slightly.

“Actually, I did have the biggest crush on him when I was younger.” I raise my eyebrows. “It’s the broody guy thing. Always did something for me as a teenager.”

“Does it still do something for you?”

“Are you offering to be broody for me?” I lean in conspiratorially. “Because it might.”

“What are you two whispering about?” Nico stands in front of us in his reindeer suit looking just as absurd as Ash.

“Go stand with Ash. I need to send Mom a picture.”

He pulls on a black nose with a shit-eating grin on his face. “Let me give him his nose first.”

I watch the two of them argue about the flashing red nose. Clara rises on her toes and whispers something in Ash’s ear, convincing him to take the nose and put it on. Nico throws his arm around a scowling Ash as I snap a few photos. I make sure to send them to Stella and Clara as well as the family group chat.

We all take our places as the doors open and service starts. I enjoy speaking with everyone as they move through the line. For the two hours we’re serving dinner, there’s never once a lull. Seeing Ian so far removed from his daily routine is nice. He’s as comfortable scooping mashed potatoes here as I imagine he is at the head of the boardroom table.

Nico and Stella invite Ian and I over to their place for drinks after volunteering and before Ash and Clara are ready for us at their apartment for dinner. Ian drove himself, so he gives us all a ride. I notice Stella looks a bit pale as we get in the backseat together.

“Are you feeling okay?” I ask quietly. If either Ian or Nico heard me ask that, they’d likely freak out. I don’t want to cause any undue concern, but I also want to make sure she’s alright.

“Yeah. I’ve just been really tired lately, more so than usual.” She leans her head back against the seat and closes her eyes.

Ian and Nico are talking about football, so I probe a little further. “Is it the lupus or the medication?”

“It’s hard to tell, it could be either. I could also be coming down with a cold or stomach bug. I’m glad Clara didn’t have me doing food service today.”

“If you need me to do anything, let me know.”

She covers my hand with hers and squeezes. “Thank you. Let’s just keep my fatigue between us for now. I don’t want anyone to worry.”

“Of course.”

Part of me wants to insist that she promise to go to the doctor soon, but I know she’s an intelligent woman. She’s not going to risk her health by powering through something she shouldn’t without medical advice. As usual, I’m in complete awe of her ability to keep control in such a mindful way.

The guys immediately head into the home theater to catch the second half of the Bears game when we get to the apartment. The sound of beers being opened and yelling soon filters out into the living room. Stella appears a few minutes later with a glass of white wine and sets it down in front of me.

“I’m going to go lie down for a bit before we leave for dinner. Help yourself to anything you want.”

“Thank you.”

I curl up on their plush, oversized couch and cover my lap with a soft blanket to watch the snow fall down over the city. It’s so peaceful, minus the sound of my brother yelling about penalty flags. I’ve never had an interest in sports and do my best to avoid them, but I’m almost bored enough to go join them. I could turn Nico’s outbursts into a drinking game.

That’s a bad idea. I’d get drunk way too quickly and then kiss Ian or something equally bad. It’s not that I want to keep us a secret forever, but it’s still so new. The relationship needs time to blossom before we let any outside influences in.

We’re all sitting around the table with a gorgeous view overlooking the lake chatting about life and catching up when Ash clears his throat. He looks over at Clara with so much love it’s almost palpable in the air. The room is silent as we wait for him to speak.

“Clara and I want you to be the first to know that she’s pregnant. The baby is due in June.”

Nico is the first to react with a loud whoop as he jumps from his chair and tackle hugs Asher.

Stella stands and walks over to hug a teary-eyed Clara. I can’t make out what she whispers in her ear, but I can tell Clara is nervous. When they let go of each other, Clara gives Stella a watery smile.

Ian and I offer our congratulations before standing to clear our dishes from the table. His arm brushes mine as we stand side by side at the sink.

“Come home with me,” he whispers as he reaches around me to set his plate in the dishwasher.

“Now?”

“Yeah, I think the four of them probably want time together.”

“Okay.” I don’t disagree, I know from things I’ve picked up in casual conversation that Clara has a lot of concerns around becoming a parent. She probably needs her friends right now.

I walk back into the dining room and walk over to Nico. “I’m going to head out, I’m opening at the gallery tomorrow.”

“I think we’re going to hang out here for a bit, let me order a car for you.” Nico starts to pull out his phone.

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll drive her home,” Ian says from behind me.

“Are you sure? It’s out of your way.” Nico looks over my shoulder to Ian.

“Yeah, it’s not a problem.”

I give Nico, Stella, and Clara a hug and say goodbye. Clara gets an extra tight squeeze and another few hushed well wishes. Asher walks me to the elevator while Ian says his goodbyes.

“I’m so happy for you, Ash,” I tell him as I wrap my arms around his shoulders and let him sweep me into a big, brotherly hug. “You’re going to be the most amazing father.”

“Thank you. I’m so glad you could make it today.” He drops his arms.

“I wouldn’t have missed seeing you dressed as Rudolph for a million bucks.”

“What about two million? I could cut a check right now.”

I fake gag. “I can’t be bought, McDuck.”

“McDuck?” Ian asks as he holds open my coat for me.

“It’s my childhood nickname for Ash.” I slide my arms in the sleeves and pull my hair out of the collar. “Scrooge McDuck, like from Ducktales.”

“Nico’s behind it.” Ash rolls his eyes. “She was eight and asked how rich my family was, and he piped in with the reference so she could understand.”

“It’s still accurate,” Nico hollers from the other room. “Because you’re rich and a grump.”

Ian laughs and shakes Ash’s hand. “Thanks for having us.”

Us.

The way the word came from Ian’s lips sounded very much like us meant the two of us together.

Asher eyes flit back and forth between the two of us. “Of course. Happy to host anytime.”

“Did you see that look?” I ask as soon as the elevator starts moving down.

“Yes. Do you think he thinks something is going on now?”

“Probably not.”

“Would it be the worst thing for people we know to know?” He grabs my hand, linking our fingers.

I draw a deep breath and look at him. His expression is vacant, as if he doesn’t want me to read what he wants and have it change my mind. He’s putting the ball in my court, and I respect that so much.

“I kind of like it just being you and me for now.” I look up at him, trying to gauge his reaction to my words, but I don’t get anything beyond a squeeze of my hand before the door opens out into the parking garage.

He leads me to his car and kisses me after opening the door. “I’m happy to move forward whenever and however you want.”

“Do you want me to spend the night?” I ask as he gets in the car.

“Yes,” he gives me a sideways grin. “How is that even a question?”

“Can we stop by my apartment, so I can get ready in the morning at your place?”

“I would love that.” He lifts my hand to his lips, placing a kiss on my knuckles. “Pack enough for the weekend.”