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Ivy on the boat, heading toward the beach, the wind blowing through her dark hair. And there I am, driving the boat.
“Dude. That’s you,” Levi hisses, and I grin.
“They kept me in as the body double. This is my movie debut.”
Even though only a few people will recognize me and be able to tell the difference between me and the real actor, seeing myself up there’s still pretty cool.
The movie plays and I mainly watch Ivy’s reaction to herself on screen. She cringes a lot, frowning. But when a scene comes on with me in it, she visibly relaxes, leaning into me.
Finally, the storm scene flashes onto the screen—Ivy and me talking, discussing our future in real life. Then I lean in and kiss her and the audience breaks into wild applause, whooping and cheering.
“Bravo! Bravo!”
Ivy stands, bowing to the crowd, many of whom are now her friends and neighbors. Then she pulls me to standing next to her, lacing her fingers in mine.
I lean over and kiss her on the lips, right there in front of everyone. And she kisses me back, letting everyone know we’re together forever.
“When’s the wedding?” Lady Frost shouts out and I grin, waving her off and shaking my head, knowing it’s only a matter of time until Ivy becomes Mrs. Banks.
Levi groans, kicking at my shoe, and I break away, gazing at Ivy’s glowing smile.
“Great job, you two,” Axl says, rounding the row and heading our direction. “And I have news. The Christmas Network wants to do a spin-off series.Captain Christmasis the tentative working title. And it’s more like a ‘reality show.’” He air quotes here. “Documenting life on Candy Cane Key. The producers really dug the developing love story between you two. So much that they want to make it a series. Show real-life love in action as it unfolds. Maybe plan a wedding. Wink-wink.”
Axl winks at me, and I wonder if people around here somehow got access to my search history.
“What do you think?” Axl peers at me, then Ivy, then back at me again.
“It’s up to Ivy.”
She bites at her lip, her eyes scanning the inky sky. “I don’t know. I got married to Luca on television, and that didn’t turn out too well.”
“Sometimes things don’t work out,” Axl says, crossing his arms over his heavily starched dress shirt. “But this would give you a chance to stay here and work.”
“That’s true…” Ivy drags the words out, clearly thinking it over. “Are you good with that, Mads?”
She glances up at me, her eyes wide.
“I’m good with whatever you want to do. But yeah, I’d obviously love for you to be here with me every day.”
“Let’s do it,” Ivy says, looping her arm through mine. Then she lifts up on tiptoe, kissing me lightly on the lips.
“It’s a done deal. I’ll send the contracts over to Arielle in the morning. Welcome to the Christmas Network.” Axl extends his hand and I shake it, resisting the urge to say Ho-ho-ho.
“Thanks. Happy to be a part of it.”
“Bro.” Levi moans as soon as Axl walks away, out of earshot. “You just invited the circus to town, permanently.”
“Relax, Levi.” I clap him on the back. “It’ll be good for business. And I’ll make sure they stay far away from you.”
“You better. Because I don’t want to be on camera.”
“Damn, I could totally see you playing the part of Scrooge.”
“Not funny, Maddox. At all.”
“It’ll be great, bro.” I lean over, kissing Ivy one more time. “A happy holiday, every single day. What could be better?”
“They couldn’t have picked a more perfect guy for the role.” Ivy beams up at me as bright white fireworks explode in the sky.
