Page 12 of Fake Out Forever

And if I’m not careful…

I’m going to drown.

7

CADE

When I finish dragging the last of the shopping bags from the garage into the living room, it looks like I hijacked the entire Christmas stock from Hank’s General Store.

“Whoa. Did you buy all of this yesterday?” Maya whistles. “We’re going to have enough to decorate the entire house.”

“Good.” It will help to keep my hands busy because they’re itching to touch her.

“The trees are beautiful. And they smell wonderful. But why two?” She steps over a bag of garland.

“Why not?” I get to work opening up the tree stands. “Hank says you have to let the branches fall for a bit before you decorate the tree. How about I get the trees set up, and you start sifting through the bags to see what we have to work with? Because, honestly, I don’t remember.”

“Alright.” She grins. “This is fun.” I watch her take out spools of ribbon. I can make bows for the trees and some to put around the candlesticks on the fireplace mantle. Is that okay?”

“Duchess, you have permission to do whatever you want if it makes you smile like that.”

She bent her head down so that her long, beautiful hair covers the blush on her cheeks. But I don’t miss it.

“So, tell me, why a ski resort?” I drop the base of the tree into the stand.

“I want to build something that’s mine.” She picks up a pair of scissors to cut the ribbon.

“You should.” I open a package of ornament hooks and start connecting them to the bulbs. There’s something intimate about doing this with her.

Something nice.

Something that makes me start to feel festive.

“You know what’s missing?”

“What?”

“Christmas music.” I jump up to turn on the television. “I’ve got all kinds of streaming apps I’ve never even used. Look… there’s one with a snowman on it.” I click on it and turn up the volume.

“That’s nice.” She smiles.

“It is, isn’t it?” I get back to work on the ornaments. “What’s kept you from doing something that’s yours?”

She hesitates and stares off into space for a few seconds. I can see the wheels turning in that pretty head of hers. “Duchess, remember what I said a little while ago. I’m your friend. And you can trust me.”

“It’s going to sound so awful when I say it.”

“Then you should definitely say it.” I wink.

“You’re going to think I’m a spoiled brat.”

“I’m not going to think any such thing.” I put the glittered gold bulb down to give her my full attention. “I’m all ears.”

“My entire life has been mapped out for me. From conception to now. And it’s not the life that I want to live. Don’t get me wrong, I know I’ve been blessed with a life of privilege. I’ve never wanted for anything. I have a closet full of designer clothes. I drive a BMW. I have a trust fund from my grandfather that will support me for the rest of my life. I’ve never gone hungry, and I’ve never had to worry about having a roof over my head.” She lowers her lashes. “But I want something different.”

“You didn’t mention love.”

“What?” She stops cutting the ribbon.

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