Page 88 of A Break in Communications

“Shut up. You’re annoying.”

I laughed, leaning back in the seat. “You know, she never really did get over you. I bet you could make it work if you were just willing to be upfront with your feelings.”

She looked away. “Moratorium on talking about Kelcey.”

“Hm. Sure, since I’m impressed you know the wordmoratorium,I’ll give you that. Just saying… you told me to sort out my thing with Lucy, and I did. Now it’s your turn.”

“Ugh, I always hated taking turns.” She looked sidelong at me with a silly little smile. “You know, this is gross to talk about with you, but I’m happy for you. You and Lucy are good for each other.”

“No kidding, it is weird to talk about. But thanks,” I laughed, looking back out at Lucy, now on the ground piled with kids playing and laughing. “I, uh… lucked out. Despite all my self-sabotage.”

“Guess we’re both alike in that.”

I raised an eyebrow at her. “Moratorium over?”

“What? No. I mean—” She hunched her shoulders. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

She was even waking up to the fact that she was self-sabotaging. Kelcey really did do a number on this girl. I laughed. “Whatever you need to tell yourself, Veronica.”

“Moratorium is in effect.”

Sure, she could have it. Wasn’t my highest concern. I had Lucy Masters, and that was a lot more important, especially after we finished out in the snow together and got back inside and I got to stick by her side the whole day long, looking at her just as obsessed as she looked at me,thatkind of annoying couple. Not that I regretted any of it.

And once the day was finally finished, and we got up to the bedroom, I flushed once I remembered the last time I’d used this bedroom—how it had led to Lucy’s and my first time—and it clearly was the first thing on Lucy’s mind as well, based on theglint in her eyes and the commanding presence as she pushed me down onto the bed and kissed me.

“It’s been a hell of a week,” she murmured. “I’ve barely gotten any time with you outside of the office…”

“Mm…” I shivered. “If you’re getting at what I think you’re getting at… you know Veronica’s right next to this room.”

“Then you’d better be good for me and stay quiet,” she whispered. “Or… I guess you don’t have to. Not going to bother her.”

“Ew. Okay, let’s leave Veronica out of our thoughts.”

She laughed, pressing a kiss to my neck. “No room for anyone but you in my thoughts, Anna, darling.”

God, I was in so in love with her it was almost embarrassing. Guess that was how love always was—corny and uncool and embarrassing and perfect.

I gave myself over to her, staying quiet like she told me to, and I let her take me, going slow and gentle for the longest time, teasing and playing, making love sweetly into the night, until it picked up in a fiery storm and culminated with her and me sweaty, together, breathing hard, flushed and hot as I pulled her into me for a tight embrace and a long, lingering kiss.

“Merry Christmas to me,” I laughed a little breathlessly.

“Merry Christmas tome.I just got to do that withAnna Preston.”

“Yeah, yeah… you say that like it’s a name everyone in the world knows.”

“They should. You’re the best thing this world has ever produced and ever will produce. Only makes sense for that world to know about you.”

I laughed. “You’re so cute when you go waxing poetic like that.”

She smiled sweetly at me, propping herself up on top of me, curls falling over us both, and she said, “I love you, Anna.”

“C’mon—don’t do that while you’re looking right into my eyes like that, you’ll make me blush,” I laughed, reverting to an awkward teenager for a second, twirling loose hair around my finger. I’d been cool once. No more. I liked this better. “I love you too… Lucy.”

“Mm. Christmas miracle.”

I laughed. “You think we should clean up from our… Christmas miracle?”

“In… one minute. I just want a second with you.”

Ah, what the hell. She could have all the seconds with me she wanted—every single moment from now to the end of time, if that was what she asked for, curled up in each other’s arms as the snow drifted against the window.

I mean, she wasLucy Masters.

∞∞∞

The End

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