“He’s bought you tons of things. We chose some of them together. I can’t wait for you to open them, Mom.” The word slipped out naturally and Skylar looked at Brittany and then at Emily.
Her eyes were glistening and she stooped to hug Lizzy. “In that case I think we should open them now. I don’t want to wait a moment longer. I want to see what you chose.”
Another change, Sky thought. Another shift in their relationship. And it was a good one.
She knew how much that word would mean to her friend.
As Lizzy extracted herself from the hug and dived under the tree to start opening presents, Brittany walked across to Sky and Alec and hugged both of them. “That ring is amazing. I’m so happy for you both. Can you believe this? It used to be the three of us against the world, and now we’re a six.”
“Seven,” piped up Lizzy, half-buried under wrapping paper, “nine if you count the dogs.”
Emily exchanged looks with Ryan and Sky knew what they were thinking.
Soon they were going to be ten.
Brittany gave a soft smile. “Our little circle has grown.”
Our circle.
Sky’s skin tingled. Friendships changed, but that didn’t mean they were less meaningful or genuine. Just different.
She glanced at Alec and saw him smile with understanding.
He drew her back to him and lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her gently. And this time when it felt different, she understood why. He’d kissed her so many times, in friendship, in passion and for comfort, but he’d never kissed her with love.
Until now.
It melted over her, sliding into every part of her, warming every corner of her body, and she knew that this was the feeling she’d been waiting for all her life.
Her heart felt too big for her chest.
She was dimly aware of laughter and the tearing of wrapping paper as her friends gathered round the tree and she drew away just enough to speak, whispering the words just for him.
“I always wondered how love would feel.”
The look in his eyes was just for her. “How does it feel?”
“It feels amazing. Like waking up to a perfect winter day of blue sky and crisp white snow.” She sm
iled, because now she knew the truth. “It feels like Christmas, ever after.
Acknowledgements
I’m grateful to all my readers. So many of you take time to email and chat to me on Facebook and your kind comments and supportive messages always make my day.
Seeing my books on sale around the globe is a dream come true for me, made real by the team at Harlequin. Thanks to Loriana Sacilloto, Dianne Moggy, Margaret Marbury and Susan Swinwood for their encouragement and support, and to the global editorial team who have embraced my single title career. The team in the UK have done so much to deliver my books to the widest possible audience and I’m truly grateful. It all started with you!
I’m lucky enough to have Flo Nicoll as my editor and I’m thankful for the vision, patience and enthusiasm she displays as we work together on each book.
I’m grateful to my agent Susan Ginsburg and the team at Writers House for everything they do.
I have the best family in the world and I’m continually grateful for their unwavering support and all the delicious meals they produce when I’m on a deadline. You’re the best!
Cool, calm and competent, Paige Walker loves a challenge. But starting her own company is nothing compared to hiding her crush on Jake Romano – her brother's best friend and the only man to break her heart. Can she convince Jake that she's strong enough to handle their still-sizzling attraction?
Read on for a sneak peak at the first book in Sarah Morgan's brilliant new trilogy – brimming with the excitement and glamour of New York!
SLEEPLESS IN MANHATTAN