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“How can you be in love with me?” I blurt out, unable to hide my surprise at his declaration.
“You have captured my heart piece by piece, weaving your way into my very soul, and before I knew it, you had claimed all of me.”
“I still don’t understand. You never showed any interest in me until this past week, and you’ve always been cold, withdrawn, and demanding. I don’t carewhyyou treated me that way. I just care that you did.” I take a shaky breath, forcing myself to keep going. “You admitted to never promoting me because you didn’t want to lose me as your assistant. Which was solely for your benefit—not mine. How does that equate to love?”
Jack stands from his seat, running his fingers through his hair as he paces in the snow. “I know I’ve fucked up in the past by not treating you the way that I should have. But that doesn’t change how I feel about you. Why do you have to be so damn difficult?”
“Me?” I raise my voice in frustration. “You’re the one who’s spouting crazy notions about love. The last time I checked, you were just pretending to be my boyfriend.”
Until today, he hasn’t said anything to indicate that he might want more than a casual fling.
“Let me make one thing clear.” His voice is unwavering. “From the moment I kissed you for the first time, this has been real for me.”—He motions between us—“there is nothing I want more than to be with you, and I thought you were falling for me too” he says, his tone laced with confusion.
“Of course I’m—” I cut myself off because I don’t remember telling him I was falling for him. Taking in my surroundings and processing what he just said, I know exactly what’s happened. I continue, my voice composed, “You read my letter.”
How could he invade my privacy like that?
“Yeah, I did,” he admits. “It turns out Lola didn’t write two letters. She brought yours along when your mom took her to drop hers off in Santa’s mailbox. I should have told you as soon as I found it, but I couldn’t. I had to find out what’s been going on in that mind of yours.”
“If you wanted to know, you should have asked me.” I set my cup of hot chocolate on the crate. “Who’s to say that I wouldn’t have chosen to pursue a relationship with you over working together if I had the chance? Or decided that I’d be happy to move to a different department so I could grow my career while also being with you? From day one, you’ve assumed that you knew what was best for me, which was wrong.”
He presses his lips tightly together, apparently not pleased with my assessment. Why does he have to be so goddamn stubborn? If he would have opened up to me, we wouldn’t be having this argument.
“I couldn’t take the chance of losing you. I was concerned that I would scare you off if I said anything, especially considering there was no guarantee that you felt the same way that I did.”
“That wasn’t your call to make.” I stand up, tossing my blanket on the chair. “This morning has been absolutely perfect, and I don’t want to ruin the moment we’ve shared. I’m very angry with you right now, and if I stay, I’m going to say something I’ll regret.”
Jack nods in understanding before I turn away, heading in the direction of the house.
The truth is I have fallen hard for Jack Sinclair—the boss who’s been a constant thorn in my side. I didn’t fully realize the depths of my feelings until now.
I’m struggling to wrap my head around the possibility that he could love me, considering his actions over the years and the fact that we’ve only spent time together outside of work this past week. Despite that, the hopeless romantic within me clings to Jack’s declaration like a lifeline. The question is, which side will come out on top?
13
JACK
IT’S LIKE MY HEART IS being ripped from my chest as I’m forced to watch Presley walk away. I’d chase after her if I thought it’d help, but it’s clear she needs time to process what I told her. I don’t blame her for wanting space.
Fuck.
This isn’t how I imagined this morning going. I wanted to do something memorable to show how much she means to me. I didn’t plan on dropping the L-bomb, but I got caught up in the moment while I watched her unfiltered reaction to the sunrise. She is the most captivating woman I’ve ever known and I couldn’t stop myself from confessing my true feelings. But like always, I had to go and screw everything up.
I never should have read that damn letter.
I trudge the three miles back to the Staffords’ place, unsure what to expect when I get there. As I finally round the corner to the front of the house, I spot Johanna sitting on the front porch with a worried look on her face. I climb the steps and sit down next to her.
“Did Presley make it back okay?” I ask.
“Yes, she did,” Johanna confirms. “She didn’t say much before going up to her room, just that you would be back soon. I take it things didn’t go as planned?” She sounds disappointed.
I enlisted Johanna’s help last night to help get everything set up for my surprise for Presley this morning. Although I did leave out the inspiration behind my romantic gesture, knowing she’d disapprove of me invading Presley’s privacy by reading her letter.
“She loved the surprise,” I assure Johanna. “However, I had to go and mess it up by saying something she wasn’t ready to hear.” My expression remains downcast. “I think I may have ruined Christmas for her,” I confess.
“Don’t be silly; you’re being too hard on yourself,” Johanna chides. “Every couple has arguments, and they don’t always see eye to eye. Presley might be upset with you right now, but she'll come around once she’s had time to think things through. There’s nothing you can’t get through together,” she states confidently.
I’m not so sure about that.
