Page 38 of Love Letters to Christmas

My passion stamps now would mean absolutely nothing and seem like a cruel game.

Furthermore—I munch, irritated—Amelia lives with me, and I want her to keep living with me, and she does not presentlyneedto live with me anymore.

If I freak her out, she could bounce away like a frightened rabbit.

Dumb dilemma.

Stupid Liam.

We’d already be married if he’d let me have my Flag Day event. The power of the most romantic holiday of the year is unbridled.

According to Mars.

Who should never truly be trusted.

But who am I to deny false information that suits me?

Let’s see, it’s June 17th… What’s my next holiday magic opportunity?

July 4th?

A July 4th celebration would pale in comparison to Flag Day’s romance since there’s nothing romantic at all about independence.

Waking up my desktop, I click my browser search bar and typewhat holidays are in July?

Then I scroll with a single goal in mind: What might I be able to get away with? Even if it’s just for a week…or a day…or…

I blink, staring at my work computer screen, at a particular holiday listed on July 25th.

Christmas.

In July.

It’s perfect.

It’s flawless.

Liam told me we could reevaluate our capabilities forChristmas. But he never specifiedwhichChristmas.

I’d say this is grounds for a presentation if ever I have seen grounds for a presentation. I need to make the cutest, most manipulative PowerPointever. I need to practice myBrian is pitiful and sadexpressions in the mirror. I need topackthis event with romantic moments that slowly, casually, gently throw Amelia and me toward romantic bliss.

Oh yes. It’s all coming together.

This is going to begreat.

“So…” I blink ahead at Liam, who has just told me some wonderful news. “…you’re going to be in Europe, with Amber,for the month of July?”

“We never took a honeymoon,” Liam informs me, fingers steepled. “Launching a new location for Whirlwind Branding is the perfect excuse to take some time to be together. I work a lot. She works a lot.” Threads of sadness burden his dark eyes before his lashes kiss his cheeks. “Although she will absolutely just be thinking about how she can use whatever we do in Europe as research for her books, I’m willing to take what I can get.”

I adjust my position to tuck my laptop with the presentation for Christmas in July primed on it behind my back. “Nothing wrong with a tax write off, right, boss?”

“It’s already a tax write off since we’re going to Europe to launch a new branch.”

“Oh, yeah.”

Liam’s eyes narrow on me.

Possibly because I’m vibrating with poorly-concealed glee.

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