Page 66 of The Mistletoe Bluff
I licked my lips, debating kissing him again, but his next words had ice spreading through me while fire poured into my veins.
“Maya, I’m crazy about you.”
Oliver
The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them; before I could think through whether this was the time to tell her. All I knew in that moment was that Ineededto tell her—I needed her to know how I felt.
I didn’t wantfakeanymore. I wanted real and raw and this passion between us that we kept forcing into a little cage.
I wanted to unlock that cage, burn it, and never look back.
Her blue eyes were wide as she blinked at me. “What?”
“I know it seems impossible, and maybe a little too fast, but I’ve felt this way for a long time. The moment I first saw you in that photography class, I was drawn to your vivacious personality and that smile that instantly made my day better, and all I wanted was to get close to you, talk to you, maybe tease you a little, even if you hated me for it.”
Her eyes softened, and it spurred me to keep going.
“Driving you around has only solidified what I thought I felt about you. Maya, you are breathtaking. The way you see the world, the joy you exude despite the struggles you’ve gone through, the way you care for everyone else…you’re incredible. Every moment with you has been the best of my life. I know you haven’t been my biggest fan…but maybe somewhere in all this faking, maybe you have developed feelings for me too.”
I couldn’t interpret the look on her face. Her brows were low over her eyes, but her lips were parted, almost in disbelief. It wasn’t quite happinessordisgust, the latter of which I took to be a good sign, even if I was disappointed that she wasn’t throwing herself into my arms.
I understood that her childhood had made it difficult for her to trust people, and I was sure my confession was shocking to her—especially since she believed that I hated her all this time.
Before she could respond, Emma called from the living room.
“Hey! There’s pie! And it’s almost time for presents! Are you coming?”
Maya closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. “Yeah, we’ll be right there,” she replied. Then she turned apologetic eyes on me. “Can we talk about this later, Oliver?”
I didn’t want to talk about it later, I wanted to talk about itnow, but this wasn’t the right time.I swallowed before giving a small nod, not trusting my tongue to behave, and she held my stare for a few heartbeats. When she pulled away, I had to force my fingers to let go of her.
Back in the living room, Elsie handed us each a plate of chocolate cream pie and we all settled on the floor next to the Christmas tree. Jameson’s dog was curled up in the corner, tail wagging and tongue lolling.
A few presents were nestled under the tree, and I fished out Maya’s gift from my pocket and placed it with the others when she wasn’t looking.
“Merry Christmas,” Elsie said to her fiancé, handing him the first gift.
He unwrapped the box to reveal a pocket watch with a note engraved on the inside.
Jameson squinted to read, “Wear on our wedding day,” before he laughed. “No ‘I love you’ or ‘I can’t wait to spend forever with you’?” he asked her.
“You already know those things. This seemed more practical. And now you won’t forget.”
Jameson laughed again and pulled Elsie in for a quick kiss.
Then he gave both her and Maya gift certificates to a spa for several services I had never heard of. “Now you two can pamper yourselves before the wedding.”
Elsie gave him another kiss while Maya beamed and said, “Thanks, Jam-Jam.”
Emma gave her brother a giant Iowa State sweatshirt. “So you can think of me when I’m away.” She flicked her hair over her shoulder and Jameson smiled at her.
“I always think of you, Em. Thank you.”
Elsie stole the sweatshirt from his hands. “I’ll be wearing that.”
“I’d expect nothing less,” he said through a laugh.
Then he handed Emma a little box. “It’s from me and mom.”
