Page 69 of The Pucker and the Princess
“Oh, yeah?” I prompt, not quite sure what response she’s wanting from me.
She nods, biting her lip and sighing. “Yeah. When my mom called the other day? She practically begged me to come home.” She finally looks at me, and I can see the conflicting emotions in her face. “I wasn’t planning on going back so soon, y’know? But I guess both of my siblings and their spouses will be there, so …”
She trails off, and I nod. I think I understand a little of what she’s feeling now. “So you feel obligated to go. And part of you wants to but the rest of you would rather not?”
A sad smile flits across her face. “Something like that. Plus, you’re going to be away for what? Like a week?” I nod, and she blows out a breath. “So we’ve just finally gotten to this point, andyou’re leaving … tomorrow?” I nod again. “And by the time you get back, I’ll be in Texas. And I’ll be there for another week.”
When she pokes out her lower lip, I can’t contain myself anymore. Reaching over, I grab her and pull her close, making her squeak in surprise again. She seems to do that whenever I manhandle her, but she doesn’t protest. I pull her into my lap, my arms loosely wrapped around her, and I hold her there for a second before speaking. “We have plenty of time. I agree that having to spend the next two weeks apart isn’t ideal. But look on the bright side. Now I’ll have time to get you a Christmas present.”
She splutters out a laugh, pressing a soft kiss to my lips before gazing at me with a warm look on her face. “I guess that’s true. I’ll have time to go shopping back home. Maybe I can find you something cool that I can’t get here.” Her eyes light up and she covers her mouth to hide the giant grin on her face. “Oh, I have the most perfect idea.”
“Are you gonna tell me?”
She laughs, and I like that I’ve managed to turn around the sadness that was threatening to overtake her with such a simple suggestion. “No,” she says like she wants to add, “duh,” to the end, but of course Marissa’s too nice and too classy to do something like that. “It’s an idea for yourChristmaspresent. If I tell you what I’m thinking, it’ll ruin the surprise.”
I let out a grumbly hum. “I guess that’s fair. But now I wanna know.”
She kisses me again. “Guess you’ll just have to be patient.”
“For you? I’ll wait forever.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Marissa
With Dozer out of town,I once again throw myself into work and my car to keep myself busy and distracted. The difference this time is that he and I still text and talk on the phone or have video calls when we’re both free. It’s not the same as him being here, and the words, “I miss you,” have been thrown around a lot on both sides, but it’s definitely better than before when we weren’t talking at all.
The real cloud hanging over my head is the fact that I’m going home for Christmas. I’d originally planned on just doing all my Christmas shopping online and having the gifts shipped directly to my family members, but now that we’ll all be together, I’ve done all my shopping in person locally, finding a cute souvenir T-shirt for my nephew, a gorgeous art print of the Olympic Mountains for Lance and Abby, some cool travel gadgets for Gabby and Jonathan, and a gorgeous serving platter for Mom and Dad made by a local artisan. Dad won’t care much about it, but Mom’ll think it’s wonderful. Since the other couples are getting one gift for the both of them, I think it’s only fair Momand Dad get the same treatment. And if anyone complains that as a single woman, I get all my gifts to myself, well … they’re not the one having to be grilled about their relationship status and hear things like,When are you going to settle down and find a nice man?And,Isn’t it too bad that things didn’t work out with Peter?So I think it’s fair that they don’t get individual gifts.
I double check I have everything while I wait for my ride to the airport to arrive. My car would probably be fine in long term parking, but I know my dad’d have a fit if I mentioned it, so I’m just leaving my car in its usual spot here. It’s not worth having to deal with more of his nonsense if I can help it.
After grabbing my phone charger and tucking it into my suitcase, I zip everything closed, satisfied that I’m ready. Or as ready as I can possibly be, at least. I head down to the lobby to wait for my ride, who should be outside by the time I get down there.
The flight is relatively uneventful. There are a few families who are obviously traveling for the holidays, and while the kids are a little antsy, I can’t really blame them, and my noise blocking headphones and the shows I downloaded before leaving block them out enough that they don’t bother me. There’s an older lady across the aisle who huffs and puffs every time I notice one of the kids going past, but that lady just needs to get herself some earplugs or noise blocking headphones too. Flying means sharing space with other people. Sometimes those people are kids. Get a grip, lady.
When I get to DFW, my parents are waiting for me by the baggage claim, Mom’s face lighting up as she throws her arms wide when she spots me. “Marissa! Sweetheart! I’m so glad you could make it!”
I set my shoulder bag down to return her hug, closing my eyes at the sense of homecoming her hug inspires. “It’s good to see you too, Mom.” Because even if I’d preferred to have stayed in Seattle, that much is still true.
She retreats, and Dad steps forward to give me a gruff, one-armed hug and a pat on the back. “Welcome back, kiddo. It’s weird not having you around. Especially at the shop.”
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is about as close as my dad’ll ever get to saying he misses me. I force a light chuckle. “I haven’t worked at the shop in years.”
Tucking his hands in his pants pockets, he shakes his head. “Still weird. You were there for a lot longer than you’ve been gone. You sure you won’t change your mind and come back? You could have your old bedroom back.”
Mom smacks his arm. “Jon,” she scolds. “Hush.”
I force another awkward laugh. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m pretty happy with my new job.”They actually respect me there. And are willing to promote me. UnlikesomeoneI know, who was only willing to let me run the office but not willing to make me a full partner or even entertain the idea while happily talking about making Peter a partner while we were dating.
Even after we broke up, I heard him mention it a few times. That was what ultimately made me decide to find a different job—the reality that my father would never, ever see me as an equal.
And this—all these feelings brought up by one stupid comment that he and I both know he doesn’t really mean—this is the reason I didn’t want to come home. This is the reason I moved away. Yeah, sure, he kinda sorta wants me around. But more because it’d make Mom happy, which would make his life easier.
God, no wonder I wasted so much time on losers who don’t appreciate me.
As much as I wish Dozer were with me, I’m also glad he’s not here because he’d one hundred percent pick up on the sideways digs from my dad and be pissed off. He’s protective enough, and used to throwing down his gloves and literally duking it out enough, that while I don’tthinkhe’d actually get in a fist fight with my dad, it still seems like a non-zero possibility.
The best choice is just to keep my head down, grit my teeth, and get through this week while making as few waves as possible. On the upside, I’ll get to spend time with my siblings and my nephew. Strength in numbers was always our best bet. And that was never more obvious to me than once they both left.
