Page 131 of Accidental Husband

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"It's never too early," he says.

"You hate Christmas."

His smile is bittersweet. "Yeah. But I have some good memories."

God, there are a lot of memories.

We sneak away every Christmas. For a short hangout session if we're in the same place. Or a long phone call if we're not.

We have all these traditions.

We have a life together. It's not a normal, married life, but it's something and it's ours.

I can't lose that.

I can't lose him.

Griffin presses the snow globe to his chest. Moves closer. Close enough to touch me. "Where you going?"

"I just…"

His fingers skim my hips.

I jump backward. Out of habit. There's no way he can feel with my jeans in the way—he couldn't with my dress. But it's too close.

"I scare you?"

"Yeah." Not the way he means, but he did.

"I want to get something."

"Here?"

"Anywhere." He slides his arm around my waist. Looks down at me. "A memento." He holds out the snow globe for me. "If this isn't for you, lead me to something that is."

"What happened to the dick cup?"

"I think you left it in the party bus."

"Oh yeah." My memory is fuzzy, but that sounds familiar. "I… uh… God, this is so weird."

"It's still us."

"Yeah?"

He nods. "You don't have to turn into your parents because you're married."

God, what a horrible thought. I mean, I love my mom and my stepdad, but they're so… normal. It's bizarre how normal they are. They're functional and boring and happy. I always feel like a freak when I watch their easy interactions.

Nothing is easy for me. I don't know why. It's just not.

"Did you think…" His gaze shifts to the escalator. He motionsshall we?

I nod. Yes. Artificial sugar and caffeine should help with the headache.

Okay, that's bullshit.

But they're delicious and comforting and familiar.

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