Winter moved into New Orleans quickly, and the cold weather swept through along with it. Elliott and I had spent the past few weeks working on his surprise for TJ, and it was all coming together so nicely. I’d have been lying if I’d said it wasn’t nice to be spending so much time with him, too. Even though we didn’t talk a lot, just being near him seemed like a treasure, seeing how he kept so many people far, far away.

A week before Christmas, I sat bundled up in my pajamas, watching holiday movies alone, drinking hot cocoa. Mama had never made a big deal of holidays, and we used to work through most of them, so even though I was alone, it felt special to just sit and watch festive movies in reindeer pajamas.

When the front door handle started wiggling around nine that night, I jumped out of my skin, turning around to see who was there. Instead of a person, I saw a tree.

“What in the world…” I muttered before the tree was pushed farther into the apartment and a smiling Ray popped up from behind.

“Merry Christmas, Snow White!” he hollered.

“Oh my gosh! What are you doing here?” I rushed over to pull him into a hug.

“It’s almost Christmas. Did you think I’d miss our first Christmas together?”

I laughed. “You’re Jewish.”

“Yeah, but decorating trees always sounded fun.” He lifted the tree and dragged it farther into the living room. “Also, side note, there’s about seven hundred dollars of decorations in the car and two more smaller trees for the dining room and kitchen.”

“Seriously?” I smirked, my hands pressed to my chest in excitement. “A tree for the kitchen?”

He shrugged. “For our first Christmas. We can tame things down next year.”

“We’ll celebrate Hanukkah next year,” I told him.

“How about next year we light the menorah and decorate the Christmas tree?”

I smiled wide, nodding. “Deal.”

We stayed up late, adorning the apartment and laughing with one another, singing every Christmas song under the sun. By the time we finished, it looked as if we were standing in the middle of the North Pole. We had pretty much nailed Christmas.

“So, what do you think? You think I should try to cook a ham and a turkey for Christmas day?” Ray offered.

“Good God, no.” I laughed, plopping down on the sofa. “I was actually thinking maybe we could have people over for dinner? Just a few friends, like TJ. He’s been through so much these past few weeks, and I know he’s feeling a bit down in the dumps, so I think a holiday dinner with loved ones could cheer him up, maybe.”

“That sounds like a solid plan. I can still definitely help cook,” he started.

“No, seriously—I don’t want anyone dying on my watch,” I joked.

He threw a couch pillow at me, and I tossed it right back.

“I’m glad you’re back.”

He smiled. “Me too.”

* * *

The next morning when I arrived at TJ’s house, Elliott was standing on the front porch with a mug in his hand. “Black coffee,” he told me, handing it my way.

I smiled at his thoughtfulness. “Thank you. How’s he doing this morning? How was last night?”

“He’s good. I put on a Miles Davis documentary for him to watch, and it seemed to ease his mind for a bit.”

“Good.”

“Well, I’ll see you,” he said as he started to leave.

“Wait, random question—do you have plans for Christmas?”

He shook his head. “We don’t really celebrate since Katie…” He stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Why?”

“Oh, well, I was thinking it might be nice to host a dinner and invite you all over. Ray is back in town, and I figure you, your mom, and TJ could come over.”

“I normally have drinks with Jason on Christmas,” he explained. “It’s not really plans, but…he kind of makes me do it.”

“Oh, well, okay.” I shrugged. “I just thought I’d ask.”

“Okay. Thanks?” he said it in the form of a question, and my heart flipped upside down.

“Yup. Thanks again for the coffee. I hope you have a great day.” I opened the front door.

“Maybe he and his fiancée, Kelly, can come too?”

When I turned around, Elliott’s eyes were still on me, and in those eyes, I saw something I hadn’t seen from him since I’d been back in town—hope. “Of course. The more the merrier.”

“My mom will want to help cook,” he told me.

I smirked. “Good, because I’ll need all the help I can get.”

“What time?”

“Um, how about noon?” I asked.

Was he actually agreeing to come?

“Sounds good. I’ll spread the word, and we’ll be there.”

“Thanks, Eli.” I gave him a smile, and I wasn’t certain if he realized his slip-up, but he one hundred percent gave me a smile back.

* * *

“Snow, breathe.” Ray laughed as I moved through the apartment like a mad woman on Christmas Day. I kept setting and re-setting the dining room table—the napkins needed to be folded perfectly, and the silverware needed to shine.

“I just want everything to be perfect,” I told him, double-checking that all the food was in the right place for Laura to help me prepare the meal.

“It will be perfect,” he told me, standing on a small step ladder to re-hang the mistletoe that kept falling every other day. “It’s already perfect. Just breathe.”

I complied, and when I released the breath, it caught in my throat as the doorbell rang. “Ohmygosh, they’re early! They weren’t supposed to be here until twelve!” I exclaimed, racing my hands through my hair.

Ray snickered and put the ladder away. “It’s eleven-fifty-three.” He walked over to me as I hurriedly removed my apron, revealing my black Christmas dress. His hands slammed against my shoulders, and he shook me gently. “Breathe.”

I let out a breath then rushed to the front door. As I opened it, I saw a smiling Laura pushing TJ in a wheelchair. “Merry Christmas!” She smiled brightly, wheeling TJ inside. Jason and Kelly followed right behind them, holding Tupperware containers in their hands. “Sorry we’re early.”

“What? Are you? I didn’t even notice,” I replied, shrugging nonchalantly as Ray chuckled in the background.

“I brought spiked eggnog!” Jason exclaimed, his voice dripping with pride.

“Don’t drink that, unless you want to die a slow death,” Kelly joked.

“Duly noted.” I smiled, glancing out the door. “Where’s Elliott?”

“He’s just parking the car. The main road was pretty packed, so he drove around,” Laura explained.

When I turned to Jason and Kelly, they were frozen solid, staring at Ray with their jaws on the floor. I snickered seeing their reaction. “Everyone, this is my dad, Ray Gable. Ray, this is everyone.” I went around introducing them all, and Ray shook each of their hands.

“It’s so nice to meet you all.” Ray smiled warmly. “I can take all your coats and put them in the guest room.”

“Holy shit!” Jason shouted, still stunned.

“Holy shit!” Kelly echoed, her mouth still open. “Your dad is Ray Gable?”

I smiled, seeing the small wave of pride that hit Ray. Being recognized by fans was the best Christmas gift he could ever receive. “Yeah, he is.”

“No need to make such a big deal about it.” Ray smirked, standing a bit taller than before. “I’m just a normal everyday person, like you. I use the bathroom and pump my own gas. Here, let me take your coats.”

Kelly giggled and started twirling her hair. “Oh, Ray.” She blushed, nudging him in the arm playfully.

Jason chuckled and twirled his short hair too, still starstruck. “Oh, Ray.” He blushed, also nudging him in the arm.

I hadn’t known Kelly for more than two seconds, but it was completely obvious that she and Jason were two peas in a pod. It was cute to see how alike the two were. “Does Elliott know your dad is Ray Gable? He’s your biggest fan,” Jason said, handing his jacket to Ray. “After me, of course.”

Kelly nodded rapidly. “Yeah, he’s totally your biggest fan,” she said, slipping out of her coat and handing it to Ray. “After me, of course.”

I could see it happening all too clearly: Ray’s ego expanding.

He turned to Laura for her jacket, and she smiled wide. “I’m sorry, I have no clue who you are,” she said sweetly, and that ego balloon of his? It popped even quicker than it had inflated.

“It’s okay,” Ray said, silently licking his wound. “I’m more of a midlister. I’m not Adam Levine.”

Laura’s eyes lit up. “Oh! I love Maroon 5! Do you know them?”

That made me giggle.

Laura and Kelly headed to the kitchen to set up and start preparing the meal while Ray tossed the coats into a room, and Jason pushed TJ into the living room.

“Merry Christmas.”

I turned to the door to see Elliott standing there with a bottle of champagne in his hand, wrapped in a bow.

My emotions began to swirl. “Merry Christmas.”

He took off his gray newsboy hat, followed by his black pea coat and scarf. He looked so handsome—handsome beyond words—and my heartbeat noticed. Elliott wore black slacks and a burgundy button-down dress shirt with black suspenders attached. The way the shirt hugged his muscular arms was enough to get any woman pregnant on sight.

“You look…” I started, but my words faded away. I blinked once and tried my best to move my stare away from his body, but it was harder than it seemed.

“You look…” he started, but his words trailed away, too, then he smiled. I smiled back. I was so happy we were to the place where we equally smiled at one another.

“Who do we have here?” Ray said, walking back over to the front door as I closed it behind Elliott.

“Ray Gable.” Elliott nodded, holding his hand out toward him. “There’s no way I’d forget you. Nice to see you again.”

“See me again?” Ray asked, confused.

“Yeah, um, we met him when we were kids. Remember the boy I used to play music with on the corner?” I asked.

Ray nodded, cocking an eyebrow. “Yeah, uh, did this guy…eat him or something?” he joked, referencing Elliott’s improved build.

We all laughed and laughed then Elliott and I just stood there staring at one another. I wondered if his heartbeats were as wild as mine.

“Okay, um, let me…” Ray squeezed into the space between Elliott and me. “I’ll take your coat, Elliott.”

We both broke our stare and cleared our throats.

“I’m gonna go help the girls in the kitchen,” I said, pulling myself away from the butterflies Elliott Adams always provoked in me.

“Yeah, uh, I’ll be in the living room,” Elliott said quickly, handing me the bottle of champagne.

The afternoon slowly came together. After an amazing meal, the guys all hung out around the television, but instead of football, the musicians were wrapped up in watching their favorite music concerts of all time on YouTube. The same way the average man discussed the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys, those guys discussed Prince and Michael Jackson.

“They’re such nerds.” Laura laughed, tossing plates into the dishwasher. Just then TJ’s laughter filled the space, and it sent chills down our spines. “It’s good to see him smiling.”

“Yes,” I agreed. “I’m glad he’s enjoying himself.”

“Both of them,” she said, nodding toward Elliott, who wasn’t smiling as big as TJ, but still, the small smirk was visible.

“He looks a little happy, doesn’t he?” I asked.

She teared up and nodded. “Happier than I’ve seen him in a long time…because of you.”

“I doubt it’s me,” I told her. “He’s just finding himself again.”

She shook her head back and forth and placed a hand on my shoulder. “I wish you could see the way he looks at you when you’re not paying attention.”

“What?” I asked, baffled.

Kelly nodded. “I’ve known the guy for four years now, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen him look…I don’t know…” She shrugged. “Hopeful?”

“Even the fact that he’s in there talking about music… Years went by where he wouldn’t even mention it. He locked it away because it made him feel good, and Elliott didn’t think he deserved anything that made him feel good.”

I smiled as the three of us continued to clean up.

“Jasmine,” Elliott called me, nodding me over.

“Hey, is it time?” I whispered.

He nodded, glancing at his watch. “I think we should head over there so we aren’t late.”

“Sounds good.”

He cleared his throat, getting everyone’s attention. “Excuse me, everyone, but I, um, Jasmine and I prepared a Christmas gift for TJ, and we’d like to present it now.”

TJ raised an eyebrow. “A gift? For me?”

“Yes. It’s just, it’s not here. We have to go to it. If everyone could meet us at Frenchmen Street in fifteen minutes, that would be perfect.”

Jason’s eyes bugged out and he walked over to me, lightly tugging on my arm. “Did he just say Frenchmen Street?”

“Yes. Why?”

He shook his head back and forth. “He hasn’t been to Frenchmen Street since Katie…” He dragged his hands over his face, shocked. “What kind of magical unicorn are you, woman?”

I laughed. “You know the corner TJ plays on?”

“Yes.”

“Can you make sure he’s sitting right there for us?”

“Absolutely.”

“Thank you, Jason.” I smiled.

“No,” he murmured in disbelief. “Thank you.”