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"What are you doing for Christmas?" I ask, curious about her plans.
"I'll probably head to my family's," she replies, her breath warm against my skin.
"Your parents still live around here, right?" I continue, trying to piece together her holiday agenda.
"Yes, they do," she breathes, her voice tinged with a sense of home.
"Will you come over at all to my parents?" I ask, hopeful yet anxious about her response.
She turns to face me, her expression laced with doubt. "I don't know, Reece," she says, and I can almost feel the weight of her hesitation. It bothers me knowing she fears being a secret, hidden away, especially from my family. I need to find a way to bring her into my life openly.
But before I can voice these thoughts, she leans in and kisses me lightly, a simple gesture with so much meaning. "Can we not think about this right now? I don't want to ruin this moment," she pleads.
She's right. It's not ruining the moment, but it's a conversation that needs to happen. Yet, I can't bring myself to deny her request. "I know," I agree softly. "I want more than this, Genesis. Not just last tonight..."
She gently places a finger on my lips, silencing me with a tender touch. "Can we just enjoy this for now, please?" Her eyes meet mine, pleading for a reprieve from the weight of decisions and revelations.
And in that moment, I let go of the urgency, the need to define everything immediately. "Okay," I whisper, agreeing to her request. For now, this moment is ours.
ChapterThirteen
Genesis - New Years Eve
"Ten, nine, eight, seven!" The countdown echoes through the grand room of the Forrester's Hamptons home.
"Talon, seriously!" I can't help but laugh as he drags me away from my hiding spot at the back of the room, insisting I join the New Year's festivities.
"Six, five, four!"
He's relentless, pushing a ridiculous headband with the New Year's digits on my head sprouting like antennas. "You need to look festive, Genesis!"
"Three, two!"
As the crowd erupts into cheers of "Happy New Year," Talon's kiss lands softly on my cheek. We're surrounded by couples embracing, champagne glasses clinking, but all I can think about is his teasing words. "Happy New Year to my beautiful bestie...maybe soon-to-be sister-in-law?" he whispers.
I playfully punch his arm, trying to hide my discomfort. "Stop using me to make Kiri jealous."
Talon feigns innocence, sipping his champagne nonchalantly while Kiri's gaze burns into us from across the room. "Stop playing games, Talon," I chide him. "She's upset because of you."
He adjusts his tie, shrugging off the seriousness. "It's not my time with her, Gen." His mood shifts as he glances at the stunning woman he's been avoiding. "Do you think I really have a chance with her?"
I follow his gaze. "She's practically devouring you with her eyes. The only thing stopping you isyou. When will you actually take this seriously?"
Talon turns the tables on me, nodding toward Reece, who's been watching us. "Look who's talking about taking things seriously. Why are you hiding from Reece? You've been avoiding him all night. And you didn't even show up for Christmas."
I try to brush it off. "I'm sure he didn't even notice I wasn't there—"
"Don't play coy, Genesis," Talon presses. "It's not cute. He was practically interrogating me for your whereabouts. What's going on with you two?"
"I've been back around the Forrester orbit for barely five minutes, Talon. I'm just trying to keep things professional," I assert, feeling the weight of his gaze.
He smirks. "You've been around longer than that,andyou like him."
Reece is a complicated topic. "He's my boss, Talon."
"But technically,I'myour boss, too. We still hang out."
I roll my eyes at his persistence. "You are so annoying."
