Page 64 of Mistletoe Kisses

“What happened, sweetheart?”

“My mom called. She knows I’m here.”

He squeezed my leg and gave me a sympathetic look. “Did you tell her?”

I shook my head. “She went by my place and learned what happened. I don’t even know why she was back in town already from her job.”

“She didn’t tell you?”

I stared down at his hands as my stomach tried to crawl out of my throat. “She hung up before I could ask.”

“She hung up on you?” Lucas sounded outraged.

“Mom didn’t sound angry. More eerily calm and said she had to start her shift.”

He didn’t look convinced. “Hmm. How are you feeling?”

“Like I’m going to throw up all my internal organs.”

Lucas rubbed his palms up and down my thighs. “Do you want me to listen or problem solve?”

I considered that for a moment. “If you have ideas, that wouldn’t hurt.”

He looked thoughtful. “I wonder if she’s beating herself up. What if she feels guilty and got off the phone so she can figure out how to have the conversation with you she’s probably been dreading your entire life?”

Despite my mind producing a dozen possible explanations for her short response as I walked over, I hadn’t considered that. The most obvious one. I’d been too focused on how I’d messed up. I hadn’t thought about the guilt Mom might have.

I rested my hands on Lucas’s, where they were resting on my thighs. “You’re pretty smart.”

Lucas chuckled. “Once in a while.”

“Guess that means I’d better come clean with the Brennans, or I’ll have upset Mom for nothing.”

Lucas’s smile sobered. “Do that in your own time. This is about you, your life, and your future—no one else’s.”

I now had two fierce guard dogs in my corner. Keaton would love Lucas. I hoped they had a chance to meet one day.I hope I get to see Lucas again someday.

I took a deep breath and stood. “Thank you for talking me off the ledge. I’ll let you get back to work. Sorry I barged in like this. I shouldn’t have done that.”

Lucas grabbed my hand and pulled me between his legs. “There’s nothing to be sorry for. I like that you came to me when you needed help. I want to be someone you feel comfortable going to.” He stood and kissed me gently, then left a trail of soft kisses across my cheek to my ear. “Can’t wait to see you later.” His words held promise.

I wished our time together was full of promises instead of a looming end.

Chapter28

Lucas

I mindlessly bouncedbetween social media platforms while watching the time tick by before I needed to head to work. My place was lonely without Arlo. He’d only left about twenty minutes ago to spend the day at the coast while I worked, but it felt like he was already back in Minnesota. A depressing trial run for his impending departure.

It’d taken every ounce of self-control to not call out today and go with him, but I couldn’t do that to Caleb or my coworkers. It was getting busy with the Making Spirits Bright festival event this weekend. And I had bills to pay after Arlo left. At least I’d gotten some flexibility to do things with him. I owed my coworkers for that.

I thought my life had been going fine before Arlo had crashed into it with his sweet blushes, great taste in books, and desperate whimpers from my touch. Now that I’d had a taste of Arlo, I wasn’t sure how to go back to life without him. I’d never had an issue enjoying short-term trysts, as Warren called them, but short-term wasn’t nearly enough time with that man.

I reached over to the side of the couch and picked up my guitar out of habit. It had always been the one thing that brought me peace when I needed it. Well, except for the times it had brought me pain.

I need to practice if I’m actually going to get on that godforsaken stage this weekend.

I’d been putting it off since Reed’s request the other day, but I was running out of time.

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