Page 106 of Cherish Me Forever

She dipped her head so the lights weren't shining on her anymore, but I still saw the hint of a smile on her face.

"You make my heart happy in ways you don't even understand," she murmured.

"I don't have to. As long as I keep doing it and you reward me with that smile, all is right in the world."

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Reese

"I've never been here!" I exclaimed.

Dom had brought me to Christkindlmarket, Chicago's Irish Christmas market.

"I thought we could both try something new."

I grinned up at him. December was always my favorite month of the year, but so much more this time around because I could share it all with Dom. Usually, I dragged anyone who had time to Christmas markets, but since everyone in the family got hitched, I kind of felt guilty taking them away from their loved ones. Thankfully, Dom liked to indulge me.

The booths reminded me of European Christmas markets. I once went to see Kimberly in Paris in December and visited quite a few.

My phone beeped as I took pictures of the decorations. My stomach clenched when I saw the text.

Malcolm: Maybe now you’ll pay attention to me.

I scrolled up and down, but he didn’t say anything else.

What the hell is he talking about? After all, I hadn’t heard from him since last week when he burst into the hotel.

I put my phone away, determined to enjoy the evening. Declan said Malcolm had no legal means to claim any money. He just wanted to intimidate me, and I wouldn’t allow it.

As we walked around the stands, I could barely restrain myself from buying all sort of goodies.

"Come on, Reese. Tell me what you want," Dom said.

I grinned at him. "How can you tell I even want something?"

"You keep leaning in whenever you smell something good."

"I’m in the mood for those honey-glazed peanuts."

We stopped in front of one of the stands, and I bought a cone chock-full of goodies.

"They’re delicious," I exclaimed. "And so are you."

He pinned me with his gaze. “Don't talk like that in public. You know I can’t control myself."

I chuckled. “Duly noted.”

"You want us to look at every booth?"

"That’s what I was going to suggest."

We were freezing, so we speed-walked around the Christmas market. I couldn't help myself and stopped at every single booth. They sold everything from candles to hand-painted globes. Some were gorgeous, some downright kitschy, but it was all fun.

Dom stiffened when we reached a booth with drinks.

"Are you cold?" I asked him before realizing he was holding his phone. Whatever he was reading was bad news. I was sure of it. "Dom?"

He cleared his throat, immediately sliding his phone back into his pocket.

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