Page 18 of Cowboy Stolen Kiss for Christmas

Laura gasped. Were her thoughts really that transparent? “Wh-what are you talking about?”

“Ames Carson. Who else?”

Laura swallowed hard. “You do realize I went to breakfast with Brex Morrison?”

“According to the security camera in the back parking lot, you came back with Ames.”

“Oh, now you’re spying on me?” Laura couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“If I was, I wouldn’t have to ask if you finally put the guy out of his misery and puckered up for him.”

“Not even!” She squared her shoulders, pretending indignance. “We’re only friends.”

Lucy rolled her eyes. “The lies we tell ourselves,” she sighed.

“I don’t ever want to lose his friendship,” Laura said quickly. “Or him.”

Lucy’s wicked look vanished. “He’s pretty special, isn’t he?”

Laura nodded, eyes misting. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without him this morning.” She didn’t want to even think about it. “He’s always been there for me, Luce. He’s always had my back. I…I trust him.” She drew a breath and let it out. “Completely.”

Lucy’s smile grew poignant. “In case I haven’t made myself clear, I really, really, really like the way he treats my sister. You deserve to have a guy in your life who puts you first.” Her expression darkened. “Unlike your arrogant, vainglorious, narcissistic toad of an ex!”

“Lucy!” Laura stepped away from the door, wide-eyed. “I had no idea you despised him so much.”

“Oh, I was never all that impressed with him.” Lucy’s mouth twisted in distaste. “But after what he did to you, my opinion of him went downhill like an avalanche.” She balled a hand into a fist and socked it into her other hand. “Dare I ask how your breakfast with him went?” She took a few steps backward and waved Laura into the nearest office. It was the one they shared.

Toy designs and patterns were scattered across both chrome desks. Organization had never been their strong point. Creativity was.

Laura spread her hands. “He claims he wants me back.” Saying it out loud didn’t make it sound any more convincing. She was harboring some serious doubts about his true agenda.

“And?” Lucy waved impatiently for her to continue. Sweeping a stack of papers off her desk onto the floor, she hopped up on it and patted the spot beside her.

Laura joined her, swinging her legs a little to stretch them. “I felt nothing.”

“That’s a good thing!” Lucy clapped her hands excitedly. Then she cocked her head at Laura. “Right?”

Laura wasn’t sure how to put what she was feeling into words. “I went into it looking for closure about where we went wrong as a couple, but he refused to give me a straight answer about anything. About why he broke up. About whether he was ever going to be ready to leave the circuit. And then…” She glanced away. “It hit me that it no longer mattered, because he no longer matters. Not to me.”

“Oh, honey!” Lucy impulsively threw an arm around her, leaning closer to tip their heads together. “I’m sorry you had to deal with all that this morning, but I’m not too terribly torn up about how it ended.”

“Me, either,” Laura assured. “Really.” It was a relief to admit it out loud. “I think this means I’m finally over him.” It had been a long, rocky path full of tears and heartache to reach this point.

“I’m glad.” Lucy hugged her tighter. “Now if we could circle back to the other topic.” Her smile flashed to its high-beam setting. “Are you ever going to get around to kissing Ames Carson?”

CHAPTER 5: WHAT COULD’VE BEEN

Five days later

The citizens of Pinetop were experts at hosting and welcoming people from all over the globe to their holiday craft fairs. The Sweetheart Spectacular was no exception. The decorating committee had gone all out on the Valentine-themed exhibits inside the largest, multi-purpose room at the Pinetop Civic Center.

There was a Queen of Hearts selfie station, inspired by the Alice in Wonderland movie. There was also a Cinderella carriage with real horses, a uniformed driver, and liveried footmen to pose beside. Everywhere Ames looked there were hearts, roses, balloons, and red. Lots and lots of red.

He strolled between the rows of craft booths, enjoying the sights and sounds more than he’d expected to. He found himself grinning at a collection of life-sized cardboard cutouts of various celebrity couples. Where their faces had been were empty holes for people to pose behind — everyone from beloved sports champions to royalty.

Though he was still getting used to the constant holiday celebrations that Pinetop was so famous for, he could easily picture Laura in a setting like this. She’d be in her element behind a craft booth. She and her family adored the holidays.

He tried not to make eye contact with the vendors. Each time he did by accident, he was offered a sample of fudge, jellies, chip dips, soups, and beverages. A trio of clowns mingled with the crowd, offering to blow up long, brightly colored balloons that they twisted into various creatures — dogs, monkeys, butterflies, snails, snakes, and even a frog.

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