“Roni, how’s it coming along?” Josie called out.

The walls of her gingerbread house had already collapsed three times, and she’d just finished lathering the seams with more icing. “I think I’ve got it this time!”

“Me too!” Izzy tipped her head back and held a penis cookie upside down over her open mouth, dribbling watered-down icing off the tip and catching it with her tongue.

They all cracked up.

“I bet Jared appreciates that talent,” Dixie said with a smirk.

“Oh, please. I tossed that Stone weeks ago.” Izzy made a big show of biting the tip off the penis cookie.

“You did?” Tracey asked. “Then who were you out with until two o’clock this morning?”

Izzy ate another bite of her cookie and said, “Not Jared.”

“Guess Santa Stone won’t be coming down your chimney,” Crystal teased, making them all giggle.

“She can hang with me Christmas Eve,” Tracey said. “I’ve got nothing going on.”

Izzy walked over and put her arm around Tracey. “Damn right, roomie. We’ll have ourselves a fun party. We should go to Whispers.” Whispers was one of the hottest night clubs in Peaceful Harbor.

“Um…you know that’s not really my thing,” Tracey said.

Izzy patted her on the head and said, “I know, but I’m trying to fix that,” and went to check out the two-level castle Josie and Sarah were making.

“Roni, are you and Quincy still coming over Christmas morning to open presents with the kids?” Gemma asked.

“We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Roni said.

“Good,” Gemma said. “Lincoln made a special gift for his Booful.”

“He says the cutest things.” Finlay dipped her finger into the icing again.

“So does his uncle, about Roni.” Penny looked at Roni and said, “Every time Quincy buys you a present, he calls to tell me because he’s so freaking excited, he’s afraid he’ll tell you by accident.”

“I know. He told me he called you,” Roni admitted. “But I do the same thing to Angela. I’m having so much fun shopping for him. I swear we’re like kids when it comes to the holidays.”

“Jed said he’s never seen Quincy so happy,” Josie said.

“I believe it, because Angela says the same thing about me, and it’s true. I never thought I could feel like this. I remember when I went to Juilliard, I was ecstatic. I thought it was everything I could ever want. But it was different, you know? Nothing compares to coming home every day to Quincy. I wake up, and I’m smiling. I go to bed, and I feel safe and happy and good all over. I never imagined having a boyfriend, much less falling in love and living a life that feels like a dream. This sounds corny, but it’s like Quincy and I were made for each other. I even told him I’d do the Winter Showcase.”

“You did?” Penny exclaimed. “That’s awesome. He must be thrilled. We all have tickets to watch Kennedy dance. I can’t wait to see you perform.”