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“She knows.”
Liam hands me a glass of wine. “She doesn’t.”
“She totally knows. She gave me The Sigh. You know the one.”
“And what exactly do you think she knows?” He takes a sip from his glass and sets it down. Opening a box of white ornaments, he hooks them, handing me one at a time.
“She knows we—we’re up to something.” I take the ornament and place it on a branch.
“And what is it we’re up to?” He hands me another.
“Oh, come on, not catching up on local news and diets. We’re, you know, doing it.”
He bursts out a laugh and hands me an ornament. “Holls, we’re not kids anymore. I’m pretty sure it’s okay if your mom knows her adult daughter is having sex.”
I take a hefty sip of wine. “Yeah, her daughter, who she thinks is in a serious relationship.”
“You need to tell her the truth. I don’t know how much longer I can go without kissing you in public.”
That gets my attention. “You wanna kiss me in public?”
His lips curl into the most delicious smile. “I wanna do more, but yes. I want you on that float with me tomorrow. By my side. I want everyone to see how beautiful you are and be able to say you’re mine.” He hands me another ornament as if he didn’t just unleash a panty-dropping confession. “Tell your mom. Ride the float with me tom—”
“I made a mistake,” I spit out.
“You made a—”
“Don’t speak! Just let me finish. I made a mistake. That night… I should have let you explain. If I had known everything, maybe things would have gone differently. I don’t know if I would have gone with you or stayed. It hurt too much when Billy didn’t return home. But you? I felt if I just separated myself from you, getting that call one day wouldn’t hurt so bad. But being away hurt more. I would have nightmares that the call came and would wake up in hysterics. I was so fucking scared. You were asking me to be okay with you dying.”
“I told you—”
“And I told you I would not have survived two deaths. I barely survived with my brother. You ripped my heart out the day you left, but I never tried to mend it. I never tried to call you or write to you. I knew what you were going to endure, but I was selfish and only thought about how I would feel.”
He puts down the box of ornaments and grabs my wine, setting it on the table. “Holly, it’s not like that.”
“It is. And now, I just come storming back into your life, being all needy and obsessing over your thick tree and handsome smile and GI Joe persona.” I throw my hands up in the air. “And I don’t even know if you want me. Maybe this is all hate sex and you’re just getting back at me for being a selfish human. I assume you still like me, but it would make sense...all the wild sex—”
“I don’t know if I’ve ever just liked you, Holls. You’ve always been this constant part of my life. Whether you were here or not.” He cups my face. “You don’t owe me an explanation. I’m just as guilty. Let’s be done pointing fingers and taking blame. We were young. We both had our reasons. Maybe this is how it was meant to be. Maybe we were always meant to find our way back to each other. Maybe this is our Christmas miracle.”
I can barely see him through the tears. He’s so selfless. Inside and out. That damn flutter fills me up, and I throw myself into his arms. He lifts me and carries me over to the couch. Taking a deep breath, I spill my heart out. “I never stopped loving you. I thought about you all the time. Even if I was with someone…nothing felt right. My heart never felt full because they were never you.” His hand cups the back of my head, and he pulls me to him, his lips crushing against mine. “I love you. I’ve always loved you,” I whimper against his mouth, refusing to let him go. His free hand grips my thigh, tugging me forward. Our bodies grind together, and a breathless moan leaves my lips. He slows down, and I draw back, worried.
“What? What’s wrong?”
He brushes his thumb down my cheek as he stares at me with such a longing, touching every part of my soul. “I love you too, Holly Bergner. Fuck, so damn much.” He takes my mouth in a savage kiss, parting my lips. His tongue claims mine, and we don’t let go until I start to feel light-headed. He casually pulls back, catching my silly grin. He rests his forehead against mine. “What’s so funny?” he asks, his hand brushing up and down my thigh.
