Page 71 of Please, Stay

Juliana dropped her hands to her lap. “I won’t lie to him, Grayson. Not anymore. I can’t lie to anyone about you. That would hurt worse than if you left and didn’t say goodbye. You mean too much to me.”

He blinked at her words. Did she love him? Would he ever hear someone say those words to him?

“Jules, if I stay any longer, the paparazzi won’t leave you alone.” She didn’t have any idea how bad it would get. People continually watching, waiting for you to do one thing wrong so they could throw it all over the national news. Their time in Atlanta had proved that point.

A cunning look narrowed her eyes into feline slits. “I’ve handled Hugh Campbell my whole life. I can handle some busybodies thatthinkthey have a right to my private life. Besides, I have a couple deputies in mind that wouldn’t mind some action in this sleepy town.” She threaded her fingers through his as her features softened. “Where did you spend Christmas last year?”

“Canada.”

“With who?”

“The elderly couple that I rented a cabin from.”

“The year before?”

“Thailand.”

She sighed. “With who?”

“No one. I found a small apartment and spent most of the time on an uninhabited island sitting on the beach.”

“Alone.” She kissed the back of his hand, her emerald eyes open and honest. “Don’t spend Christmas alone this year. Not when you have me.”

“And me!” Carrie ran forward and threw her arms around his waist. “You have to wait and see what Santa brings me. Mama said it should be a special year.”

“Please stay, Grayson,” Eliza said. She and Becky both stood in the doorway. “You won’t be the reason Dad is unreasonable. I hate it that he’s punished Juliana all these years for my bad decision.”

“Grayson may rather spend the day alone than have all you women up in his business.” Cameron squeezed through the crowd and walked back to the coffee pot.

Becky crossed her arms, her hip cocked out to the side. “Haven’t you left yet?”

He didn’t pause in pouring the rest of the dark coffee into his cup. “This is my house.”

“You have a flight to go see Addie.”

Juliana looked over her shoulder. “Don’t miss it on our account.”

“I have time. Ms. Iris just called. Uncle Hugh went to the paper. He’s still mad, but quiet. She convinced him into coming into the diner for Christmas Eve carols.”

“I love singing carols!” Carrie squealed. She jumped up and down. “Mama, I want to wear something pretty.”

Juliana looked at Eliza and winked. “Did you know your mama once wore the prettiest Christmas dress? I think I still know where it is.”

“I want to wear it. You’ll come, too?” Carrie blinked her large, green eyes at Grayson.

He leaned down, tapping her on the end of her pert nose. “You’re a good little actress. But I don’t think…” He sighed as she turned down her bottom lip and whined like a little puppy. Seriously, the child had mad acting skills.

Juliana cupped his face in her hands, blocking out any audience they had before. “Stay two more days, Grayson. Stay for me.” She kissed him lightly. “I need you here.”

His hesitation disappeared. He knew it right then. She was his five-million-dollar reason.

“I’ll stay.”

22

The whole town turned out for the annual Christmas Eve carols. The lights from the diner illuminated Jefferson Street. Dewey’s patrol car blocked one end of the street while a firetruck blocked the other. People Juliana had known her entire life walked between the bed and breakfast, with its festive porch and Mrs. Roberts serving cider, to the diner, where Ms. Iris and Becky provided the food. Groups stood around, singing impromptu songs. Mrs. Latham right in the middle.

Juliana waited for Grayson. He’d promised to come despite his worry about paparazzi. She’d told him a dozen or more times that they didn’t bother her. She didn’t care what pictures they took. She wanted to be by his side, out in the open. His date. Or girlfriend. Whatever title she temporarily possessed.

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