Page 28 of The Merriest Christmas

"Seaver and I were together."

"I knew it!" she whispered.

"It was complicated."

"Love always is."

"I don't know if he ever…I mean, I was in love with him," I said then closed my eyes."God, Rose, I was so in love with him."

"You were?"

"Yes, and he told me he loved me too."

"That's so romantic."

"It was," I said."Being with John, I mean Seaver, was a total whirlwind.We just got each other, you know?He and I connected on another level.I could talk to him about anything.And he made me feel…everything."

She frowned.

"But you said no one knows," she said."How does that work?"

I shrugged as she laughed lightly.

"Well, if this were a book, I would say you and Seaver had a secret relationship.You were the little sister, and he's your older brother's best friend.The two of you were forbidden from the start.Stolen kisses when no one's looking, secret glances across crowded rooms, clandestine meetings."

She laughed again, but I just stared.

"Oh wow."

"Yeah."

"Can I ask whose idea was it to keep you guys a secret?"

I thought back."Can't remember exactly, but I think it was a mutual decision."

She tilted her head."Then what happened?"

"One day, he just left."

I shrugged like it was no big deal, trying to pretend it didn't break my heart.

"He must've gotten tired of me or something.It happens."

"Oh Emmy, I'm sorry," Rose said.

"It's fine," I lied."I'm over it."

She was quiet a beat then, "Well, he obviously isn't."

I looked at her, and a small smile appeared on her lips.

"Seaver is still into you.I could see that from a mile away."

"Must be the romance author in you talking."

"I don't think so.He looks at you like he loves you," she said."You can't fake that."

But he did.

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