Page 63 of Love Letters to Christmas

My head tilts. “Why?”

“Because. It’s similar to mine and Amber’s.”

In…what way? The childhood friend part? I think Liam and Amber were actual friends. Amelia and I pretty much only went to the same school.

Liam says, “I’d like to know what an appropriate timeline would have been for us to get married without a contract. Please consider yourselves my AU.”

Amelia and I arenota Liam and Amber alternate universe by any means. Also, bycontractdoes he not meanwithoutcoercion? “Amelia and I aren’t getting married anytime soon. Unlike you, we’re to have a proper wedding, with lots of invitations.”

“So youareplanning to get married already?”

My mouth opens as what I just said catches up with what my boss has. Am I already planning to marry Amelia?

It is possible I’ve considered how she’ll hand out white wax-sealed envelopes to dozens of people, thus blessing some who won’t even appreciate her handiwork with an Amelia Original while I’ve only had one true Amelia Original on a letter addressed tonot even me.

It is possible this knowledgebugs me.

It is possible…I am planning to get married.

Huh.

I should have signed my last letter to herBest husband in training.

Clearing my throat, I say, “She doesn’t know that yet.”

Liam, unbothered, nods. “He falls first. A beloved trope. Very acceptable.”

Somehow, also no.

To think this guy’s wife saysI’mthe odd egg.

“I hope things continue to go well,” Liam says, stifling a yawn. “I should probably get back to my paperwork now.”

“I hope you’re able to get some rest tonight.”

His head tilts forward in a sleepy little nod, and after a final goodbye, we end the call.

Blowing out a breath, I sag in my office chair and peer out the glass walls toward the desk Amelia claimed for herself. It’s vacant here right now, without her. My quiet kingdom. The heart and soul of Whirlwind Branding’s HQ. Missing a beat. A pulse.

Like Liam said, it’s basically how it’s been most of the time I’ve been here since good help is hard to find. The silence shouldn’t feel as empty as it does right now. I should be used toit.

But I’m not used to it anymore.

Because my new normal containsher.

“Marriage, huh?” I whisper into the stillness.

Mr. Brian Christmas.

Mrs. Amelia Single.

My nose wrinkles.

No, definitely we’re keeping theChristmas. Brianna can carry on the Single name. That is, after all, why I left. Brianna loved mailandBandera. I loved the people, but after moving here to Iferous, I’m not sure Bandera ever felt completely right. There was never quite enough going on in that small town to satiate my desire for novelty. I crave movement. Newness. Extravagance.

Things that seem diametrically in opposition tosettling down.

Moreover, Amelia is…soft. Serene. Familiar.

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