Page 85 of My December Darling

“Doesn’t she leave tomorrow?”

“Yes.” My teeth grind at the thought. I’ve tried my best to forget about Catalina’s impending departure but it’s impossiblewith the reality of our situation hanging over me and every decision I’ve made over the last twenty-four hours.

“And you haven’t gotten around to bringing it up yet?”

I take a seat on the edge of his bed. “I didn’t want to spook her.”

“Now’s not the time to worry about that.” He starts to pace the floor, being mindful of the half-full boxes.

“I plan on talking to her about it.”

“When?”

“Tonight.” I speak with more confidence than I feel. New Year’s Eve might not be the ideal setting for a serious conversation, but there is no way I can watch her leave tomorrow without her knowing where I stand.

He pinches the bridge of his nose with a sigh.

“I don’t have an option. Either I talk to her about it tonight or wait until she heads out to California, and the more I think about that happening, the less I like it.”

“You really like her.”

Fuck yeah, I do. Last night further solidified my growing feelings toward her, and today pretty much made them concrete. I knew from the moment I started missing her only thirty minutes after she left with her sister and the bridal party that I was screwed.

I don’t know how I’ll survive her being gone for three months, but I do know that I plan on using every tactic known to man to get Catalina to come back to Lake Wisteria, even if it means playing dirty to make it happen.

I’m instantly aware of Catalina’s presence the moment she walks into Last Call. Everything around me fades as she stepsinside the bar, looking heaven-sent with her golden dress that complements her skin tone and brown eyes.

I’m caught staring, a fact I don’t try to hide as Catalina makes her way over to me and kisses my cheek.

“Miss me?” Her smile borders on timid, so I boost her confidence with a press of my lips against hers.

“From the moment you left.”

“Sure you did.” Her eyes roll, giving me a quick glimpse of her shimmery eye makeup.

“It’s true. I’m afraid I’ll struggle with a serious relapse episode when you move away.”

“Is this your ploy to have me stay in Lake Wisteria?”

“Depends. Is it working?”

She laughs. “No, but I do enjoy the effort.”

I loop my arm around her and signal for the bartender. Catalina orders a vodka tonic while I stick to the beer I was already drinking, resolute in my decision to not drink much tonight. If it’s our last one together for a while, I want to make the most of it, and I need a clear mind for all the things I have planned.

“I could take a few days off and visit you,” I stupidly say without any context.

Her brows pinch together. “What?”

“Sorry. I was thinking aloud.”

She smiles around her straw. “About coming to visit me?”

“Yes.”

“Can you take that many days off work?”

“Aiden owes me a few.”

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