Page 105 of Fake It 'Til You Sleigh It

I take a deep breath, knowing my next words could change everything. “Chase, I need you to stay. Don’t quit on us. We’re just getting started.”

She meets my gaze, her eyes filled with doubt. I can see her hesitating, on the brink of a decision. I push forward, baring my soul.

“Say it’s not just me. Tell me you feel it too.” I swallow hard, steeling myself for what I’m about to say. “If you trust me with your heart, I swear I’ll fight like hell every day to be worthy of it.”

A laugh bubbles out of her. “Maybe you don’t need me to write your lines after all.” Her eyes flash with that familiar spark as she smirks. “You better believe I’m gonna hold you to that promise, Ethan Barrett.”

Joy explodes in my chest. I pull Chase into my arms, crushing her against me, and kiss her like she’s the air I need to breathe. The crowd goes absolutely wild.

I let the kiss consume us, my tongue exploring hers, demanding more with every movement. Her fingers press intomy shoulders, anchoring herself to me, like she can't get close enough.

A loud, celebratory bell rings out, forcing us apart. We’re both panting like we’ve run a marathon. I catch a glimpse of the subscriber counter out of the corner of my eye—it’s skyrocketing past a million.

Artificial snow falls, turning the stage into a wintry scene.

“Chase, we did it! A freaking million subscribers.”

“I don’t care,” she says, fisting her hands in my shirt. “Kiss me again.”

“You’re the director,” I say, grinning like a fool as I draw her close for another kiss. This one is deeper, more passionate, and I swear sparks are flying between us. The lights go down, and I vaguely register our movie,Fa La La Love, starting on the big screen.

Without warning, I scoop Chase up in my arms.

“Ethan!” she squeals. “What are you doing?”

I tighten my grip, loving the way she fits against me. “I’m not letting you go, sweetheart. Not now, not ever.” I lower my voice, just for her. “Tell me where I’m headed.”

Chase’s eyes darken, and she leans in close, her lips brushing my ear as she whispers, “Your trailer. Now. Let me show your limp fish dick just how much I love you.”

“Really? That’s how you’re gonna say you love me for the first time?”

She laughs, the sound vibrating through me. “I love you more than Fernando the clit-flicking fish. That better?”

She sticks her tongue in my ear, and I nearly trip over my own feet. “Fuck, I love you,” I groan, sprinting to my trailer.

I kick the door shut and set her on the couch, drinking her in. Flushed cheeks, messed-up hair, eyes blazing with love and lust. I’ve never seen anything more gorgeous in my life.

I’m about to rip my shirt off when her expression turns serious.Shit. Did I fuck up already? Move too fast?

“I love you, Ethan. Not the King of Christmas, not the fantasy, and not your handsome face. I love the real you. The guy from Florida.”

My heart swells, threatening to burst. “I told you that you’d fall in love with Florida,” I say, unable to keep the grin off my face.

She rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling. “Shut up and get naked.”

“You got it, boss.”

Our lips meet, and this kiss feels like the perfect fade to black—except it’s just the beginning. Chase has directed us into our own happily ever after, no scripts needed. And me? I’m not acting when I say she’s stolen my heart.

This is real. This is love.

Chase Pemberton, I’m ready for my forever close-up.

EPILOGUE

Chase

“Everyone, if we don’tget this shot off before lunch, the boss lady is gonna have my balls for dinner!” Ethan’s voice booms through the bullhorn.

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