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And I’m enjoying this way too much.
“I expect a timely response. Christmas is the day after tomorrow.”
“I pride myself in being prompt.”
“Go ahead then, Briezy.” I point to the list wadded in her hand.
Her eyes widen as they slide down her arm to the paper. I can see the desire to read it is burning through her. She fumbles and opens the paper.
There’s only one thing on my list. I hope she’s serious about helping me.
Her cheeks turn red as she reads out loud, “One mistletoe kiss.”
“Like I said, poetic.” I can’t hold back my grin any longer. “I’ll take my present early, if you’re ready.”
Brie’s laugh is high-pitched and a tad hysterical. “It’s late and you’ve had a long day. We’ll chat details in the morning.” She shoves the paper at my chest. “Here’s your list.”
I reach over and cover her hand with mine, holding it to my chest. “You worked so hard to get it, why don’t you keep it?”
She frantically shakes her head. “Nope. It’s yours.”
I don’t move our hands, despite my heart pounding beneath them. “Consider it ours.” I release her ever so slowly, trailing my fingers along the back of her hand as I do.
After a visible swallow, she steps back. “Goodnight then.”
“Goodnight.” I move to the side to let her pass. “And leave the spare key. I might have killed you had I not recognized you. Let’s not try it again.”
Her smile is weak. “Don’t worry. This elf is retiring.”
“After I get my Christmas wish though, right?”
She flees into my family room. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I laugh under my breath as she sprints to my door. Then it hits me. I don’t know why I waited so long to return to Bearwood. I might not be perfect, but at least I finally know I would never willingly hurt Brie. Not again anyway. I was scared about following the Davenport legacy like my dad and sister, but I’m not them. I’ve never been them. But I needed to be an adult for a while to know for certain. I wish it hadn’t taken me so long to find out. In fact, I think going home again finally made the difference.
I’m not sure why it’s hard to learn things about ourselves, but it’s in the searching and the waiting that the answers come. It took me seven years, but I’m glad I never gave up working on myself. I’m glad I finally know who I really am. I’m not one-hundred percent positive what to do about this knowledge, but one thing is crystal clear: I’m going to do my best to earn a second chance with Brie.
Chapter 23
Brie
Ifanyoneiswonderingif an entire body can blush, I’m living proof. I swear, every inch of me is hot and red when I open the door to Rockwell the next morning. So much for trying to look cute today. I spent extra time getting ready too, and not because of any planned mistletoe kiss, but because Wassail Night is special to our community.
I’m such a liar.
“Good morning.” Rockwell puts his arm on the doorframe and leans into it and subsequently closer to me. “Sleep well last night after crawling around my house?”
I try to shut the door in his face.
“Okay, okay. I promise not to tease you about it.”
I start to open the door again, but he stops me.
“At least for a few hours.”
I try shutting the door again.
“Wait, you can’t shut me out. We have plans.”
