Page 20 of My XOXO Holidate

The shower turns off and I put the paper back the way it was. I hurry to find my shirt and slip it over my head.

Shoes and socks? Practically under the bed. I quickly slip on my socks and as I’m tying my shoes, Amelia appears in the doorway in only a towel.

“Hey, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“You didn’t.”

She looks at me. Her eyebrows furled. “Where are you going?”

I don’t answer and tie my shoe.

“Sam?” Amelia rubs her wet head. “What’s going on?”

“So, how long did you think it would take me to figure it out, huh?”

“What?”

“Don’t play dumb with me. I know your game.”

Amelia gasps. “What are you talking about?”

I huff. “Oh, I think you know exactly what I’m talking about. You couldn’t have known at the masquerade ball, but I bet it didn’t take you long to do a web search.” I push past her and make my way to the living room. Amelia follows closely behind me.

“Please tell me what’s going on.”

“You were probably pretty impressed when you figured out I was the CEO, huh? Well, guess what. I’m not the CEO, Iownthe corporation.”

She clutches my arm. “Sam, please don’t go. Talk to me.”

I step into the hallway and let the door click softly behind me. I hear her fall against the front door and the sobs that follow.

I shake my head.

How could I be so naïve?

I take a deep breath, but the inhalation does nothing to slow down my racing heart. Adrenaline surges through me and my muscles quiver.

My best times and my future with Amelia just turned into my worst nightmare.

8

Amelia

It’s been a week since Sam left the apartment. After he left, I did a web search and learned he owns a major investment company in New York. Not only that, but Sam’s a multi-millionaire. I had no idea and apparently Sam believes I was only after his fortune. One minute he loves me and wants me to come to New York and the next minute he’s out the front door. I haven’t heard a word from him since he left, but I haven’t tried to contact him either. Besides being hurt, I’m angry. Angry that he thinks so little of me.

I’ve been miserable for the past week— barely able to eat or sleep. The closing on his father’s house is scheduled in ten days and I’ll have to talk to the other realtors in my office about the situation. One of them will most likely take over and handle the sale of the home. This might mean I lose my commission.

Sam

I close the tailgate on the pickup on my father’s driveway.

“I guess that’s it.” My brother wipes his forehead with his hand.

I nod and give him a tight smile.

“Why don’t you talk to me, brother?”

I huff. “Because —like I’ve told you a hundred times before— there’s nothing to talk about.”

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