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He let out a low whistle as she approached, and she forced a smile that didn’t give away just how terrified she was. “You are stunning,” he said, his gaze drifting over the dress and heels. “Far too beautiful to spend the evening with my family.”
Panic set in again. “Oh my God, am I overdressed?”
“You’re perfect,” he said, leaning in for a kiss, but seeing the lipstick he paused. “Can I ruin that lipstick?”
She instantly felt a little better as she nodded. “I can reapply it in the car.”
He pulled her into him and kissed her. It felt different somehow. It wasn’t the soft, quick peck when they were in public or the intense passionate ones when they were completely alone. It was gentle, yet purposeful, as though trying to convey something he couldn’t say with words.
She closed her eyes and savored it, really embracing every second they had left. Every touch, every kiss, every smile…it all meant so much more as they were coming to the end of those moments. They’d still talk and keep in touch, but it wouldn’t be the same. Eventually, it would get too hard.
He moved away reluctantly and studied her. “Stop worrying. You know everyone there.”
“That’s part of the problem.” Once he left, she would be the one still there garnering the sympathetic looks from his family and friends. She’d be the one answering their questions: How’s Mitch? How are things between you two? When’s he coming home next?
He kissed her once more before opening the door for her. She climbed in, and when he got in the driver’s seat, she immediately reached for his hand. Sweaty palms or not she wasn’t missing any opportunity to hold his hand.
They drove in silence, each lost in their own thoughts, the short distance to his family home. She’d been there so many times over the years when they were younger, but not in recent years. It still looked the same, and the over-the-top holiday decorations outside made her smile. “I love how your mom loves to decorate.”
Mitch laughed. “Compliment her on her decorations and you’ll have her adopting you as a second daughter.” Then realizing what he’d said, a slight look of panic crossed his features.
Jessica squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry, I didn’t read anything into that.” She reached for the doorhandle but he stopped her.
“It’s okay if you did.”
Damn. By the end of the day she might actually have a real heart attack.
“Why don’t you reapply your lipstick and we will head inside.”
Right, time to face everyone. It made her feel a bit better knowing that his mother knew she was coming. She hadn’t told anyone else. Mitch said he suspected she wanted to keep it a secret for their sake. Respect their privacy. Jessica appreciated that, but her cowardly side might have appreciated Ally telling everyone in advance to save them from having to.
She took her time putting on the lipstick and then took a deep breath. “Okay. Ready.”
He climbed out, opened her door for her, and held her hand tight in his as they walked up the front steps and went inside. Holiday music played through the surround sound system in the house, and the Kenny and Dolly Christmas album warmed her. It was her all-time favorite holiday album, too.
“Is there an inch of space not decorated?” Jessica whispered as they entered the large, impressive foyer, her gaze falling to the collection of trees. A white one, a pink one, a green one, and a blue one—all different sizes, decorated with glass bulbs. “That’s a lot of trees.”
Mitch laughed. “There’s a total of nine trees throughout the house.”
Her eyes widened. “Nine?” She surveyed the garland on the staircase railing and admired the snow globe collection in the living room. She was stalling.
He turned to face her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “You ready?”
“No.” She thought she might throw up.
“Me neither,” he said, taking her hand in his and practically dragging her uncooperative legs toward the dining room, where the sounds of laughter and voices grew louder the closer they got.
Her heart echoed in her ears. This was it. Moment of truth.
Lia’s laugh quickly faded as she saw them enter and her eyes immediately dropped to their joined hands.
Shit. Jessica tried to pull her hand out of Mitch’s, but he held firm.
“This has nothing to do with her,” he whispered. “It’s you and me.”
Damn, in any other situation those words would have her swooning. At that moment unfortunately, they didn’t make Jessica feel the least bit better.
She felt like she’d betrayed her friend. Not because she was dating Mitch or falling for Mitch—the heart wanted what it wanted and she’d never regret the past few weeks or their growing connection—but the fact that she’d hid it from her. Instantly, she realized that was a mistake.
