Page 3 of Love Letters to Christmas

My heart beats in my throat as I nod.

Bringing his hands back together in a loud clap that makes me jump involuntarily, Brian states, “Thus concludes our tour, unless you want to see the third guest room acting as my decoration storage facility.”

I would kill to see more of Brian’s home. It is already more perfect than anything I could have ever imagined. He keeps it so tidy. It’s nothing like I would have expected a bachelor pad to be, but that’s the Brian difference for you. He’s a step above all others. “Th-that’s okay,” I say. “I don’t need to pry.”

Iwantto.

I don’tneedto.

“It’s not prying.” One of his brows takes on a dramatic arch. “This is your home now. I want you to feel comfortable going anywhere in it. I’m an open book, so feel free to poke around and familiarize yourself with anything.”

Poke…around? Anywhere? Even…

I force myselfnotto glance down the hall with our bedrooms, towardhisbedroom. I force myself to swallow my rampant heartbeat and reply, “That’s very kind. I… I really appreciate this, Brian. I can’t express how much you’re helping me.” Get on my feet. Get away from a less-than-great living situation. Get myself together. At the ripe old age of twenty-five, I’m finally getting the chance to grow up, and cut the umbilical cord, anddiscovermyself.

Without the looming threat of my parents’ disappointment, negativity, or expectations.

Brian isn’t just giving me a place to live and a job while I figure out what it means to be physically independent. He’s giving me freedom to decide who I am and what I want. He is letting me figure out what it means tobeAmelia Christmas.

And he’s waving a hand, as though it’s no big deal at all. “Don’t mention it, A-mail-ia. I’m happy to have you. Here and at the mailroom. I’ve missed having you around. You always were a bright spot in my life. It’s a delight to welcome you back into it.”

I could die happy right now. Assuming I’m not already dying. As far as I know, I got in an accident on my way here and this is all a drug-induced hallucination.

Brian just told me that he likes having me around. Wow.Wow. Is this what happiness feels like? I’m… I’m not sure. But probably.

The next thing I know, Brian’s hand waves in front of my face. “A-mail-ia?”

I snap out of my daydream, which may or may not have contained wedding bells and dresses made of letters with blue wax seals. “Yes! Sorry. I’m fine. W-what were you saying?”

Brian tucks his hands in his khaki pants pockets. “Do you have any questions for me or is there anything else I can do to help you settle in?”

Anythingelsehe can do?

He has already done far more than enough. Far more than anyone has ever done for me.

I flush. “U-um, well…just…what’s rent and when’s it due?”

His brows rise.

“And is there a chore list for me? So I can make sure I’m pulling my weight?”

Brian blinks.

I bite my lip, hoping I haven’t said something stupid. Did he already send me information about rent and chores? I check my email religiously, even spam, but maybe he sent it while I was on the road? “Sorry,” I whisper, fumbling to get my phone out of my purse, which I apparently still have slung across my body. “Did you already email me about this stuff? Maybe I missed it. It’s been…a…” Emotion, sudden and unbidden, chokes me, forcing me to croak the words, “…a really rough day.”

Arms envelope me before I know what’s happening. A broad chest garbed in a cardigan presses to my cheek. Breath leaves me only to return with the full, fresh scent of ink and sandalwood. Strength abandons my limbs, and quiet tears escape down my cheeks.

“It’s going to be okay,” Brian says, voice soothing, deep,warm. “There’s no rent, and all I ask is that you clean up after yourself. For the foreseeable future, this is your home. You don’t need to worry about anything else.”

Homeis right here…in his arms?

My eyelids fall closed.

“Treat it like home,” he says. “That’s the only rule. Okay?”

Throat constricted, I whisper, “Okay,” and he squeezes me tight enough to keep my breaking pieces from falling apart.

Chapter Two

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