Page 63 of The Holiday Games

I’m just grateful I woke up before I was in his position, married to a stranger with two kids to raise with a pathological liar.

“It’s okay, Frank. I’ll be okay. Caroline and Kayla have my back,” Vivian says, her voice wobbling as she performs “fear” for her husband. “Take Gilly to use the big boy potty and change Greer’s diaper. I’ll meet you in the lobby as soon as I can.”

With one last menacing glance my way, he leaves, and I’m finally free to say the words I’ve been holding in. “It’s over Vivian. Tell Caroline the truth or I will.”

Vivian huffs. “What? What the hell are you talking about?”

“We broke up eleven months before Gilbert was born,” I say, pushing on when Vivian tries to cut in, “A full eleven months, longer than any human pregnancy on record. I checked her social media to get his birth date after Kayla told me what was going on. He looks like a sweet kid, but he’s not mine. There’s no possible way he could be.”

Caroline’s expression spasms with relief as Kayla sucks in a scandalized breath.

“Oh my God.” Kayla spins to face Vivian. “You monster, what is wrong with you? How could you?”

“He’s lying,” Vivian says, her breath coming faster as she flaps an arm my way. “That’s what he does. He lies! He’s a master manipulator, Caroline. You know me. You know I would never lie about something as serious as?—”

“You lied about Greg,” Caroline says, her cheeks flushing pink as she steps off the platform beside the tree. “You said he was dead, Vivian. Dead! But he’s right there. Just like I triedto tell you.” She motions to where Satan is perched on the sideboard amidst the cookie remnants, cleaning himself with a smug expression. “Greg, get down. We’ve talked about this. No cats on the furniture, especially when there’s food involved.”

Greg ignores her, confirming he’s still an asshole, though a more loving, supportive one than he was before.

“That’s not Greg. I told you when you texted me the picture last week—I’ve never seen that cat in my life,” Vivian says, sounding remarkably convincing.

But Caroline has her number, and so do I.

“Stop it, Vivian,” I say, keeping my volume low. I don’t want to upset her family if I can help it. I just want her out of the way. “It’s over. Everyone here knows better than to believe a word out of your mouth.”

“We certainly do,” Kayla says, crossing her arms with a huff. “I mean, lying about a cat is one thing, but a child? Your own baby? Are you actually and literally and completely insane?”

Tears spring into Vivian’s eyes as her innocent victim mask dissolves. “I’m sorry! I just couldn’t let it happen. I couldn’t let Caroline fall for Leo. He’s not a good guy, Caroline. I was trying to protect you. I was trying to spare you the pain and suffering I felt when he broke my heart. I love you too much to let you get hurt like that.”

Caroline winces. “Stop, Vivian. Just…stop. I may not have known Leo long, but he’s never done anything to abuse my trust. Sadly, I can’t say the same for you.”

“But I?—”

Caroline cuts her cousin off with a hand in the air and a sharp, “That’s it. We’re done here. I’m not going to tell Frank or the rest of the family anything right away. But moving forward, I won’t be covering for you. The truth about Leo and Greg and everything else is going to come out. Before it does, I suggest you get your house in order.”

“And get some professional help,” Kayla mutters.

Amen,Greg adds, swiping his paw across the sideboard, sending an abandoned glass of milk tumbling off the edge, right onto Vivian’s black wool pants.

“Oh my God!” She gasps as the milk drips down her thigh. “Greg,” she whispers, shooting a wounded gaze his way.

He responds with bared fangs and a menacing hiss that sends Vivian running from the room and out into the lobby.

“Good job, Greg,” Kayla says, hustling over to scoop the chubby beast into her arms. She kisses his head as she murmurs, “Let’s get you a treat in the kitchen for being such a good boy.” Kayla shoots a grin Caroline’s way. “I’m so happy for you. He’s a keeper, girl. No doubt in my mind!” Shifting her focus to me, she adds, “Welcome to the family, Leo.”

Satan purrs, grinning as Kayla starts for the door.Kiss her, idiot. You know you want to.

“I do,” I agree, closing the distance to the woman I’ve missed like a dominant limb.

“You do what?” she asks, her breath rushing out as I pull her against me.

“I love you,” I say. “Let’s never be apart again.”

She loops her arms around my neck with a happy sigh. “Sounds like a plan. Thanks for riding to the rescue.”

“Thanks for rescuing me right back,” I say, and then I kiss her and it’s magic— the way it always is with her.

We kiss until we’re breathless and clinging to each other in the candlelight, and I can’t wait another moment to be alone with her.

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