Page 44 of The Fake Girlfriend's Billionaire Match
“He’s perfect. Thank you.” He smiled. “Ready to rejoin the madness?”
“Yeah.”
As they walked together, Bear pushed away the doubts and fears. In a little more than week, he’d be saying goodbye to her, and he wanted to treasure his time with her without those things hanging over them.
Maybe by then, he would have enough time to think about Bandit’s words and find the courage to give her his heart.
Chapter 28
Running out of the bathroom, Winnie grabbed her phone and answered it. “Merry Christmas!”
“That is not fair, Winifred Fordham,” her mom grumbled. “You have to at least say hello first.”
It was a yearly contest. Whoever said Merry Christmas first had gloating rights until the next year. Winnie had lost every year, and she’d decided this year, she wasn’t going to lose. “There are no rules that say I have to start with hello.”
Her mom scoffed. “I say hello every time.”
Snickering, Winnie crawled onto the bed, hair in a towel and one wrapped around her. “Just because you do it doesn’t make it a rule.”
“Fine. Merry Christmas, my love. Next year, I want us to have Christmas together. Okay?”
Her mom wanted Christmas together? “You do?”
Of course, Christmas had been a family affair when she was growing up, but once she moved out and away for college, over time, they’d gone their separate ways for Christmas. They called each other and sent gifts or whatnot, but it wasn’t the big holiday deal most people had.
“Your father’s mild stroke was a bit of a wake-up call for me. I don’t want to waste the years I have by not spending time with the people I love. I don’t want to regret anything when I’m old…er.”
Nodding, Winnie said, “I’d like that.”
She filled her mom in on the West-Frederick Christmas Eve tradition. It’d been so much fun the night before. Eating cinnamon rolls, drinking hot cocoa, and opening the smallest gifts. The story behind the tradition made it even more fun. Winnie could absolutely see Josiah trying to cheat the system for a bigger gift.
Bear loved the puppy. At first, she’d been a little afraid of getting him one, but she’d talked it over with Wyatt, and he’d given her the green light. They’d all helped her make it happen. She’d used some of the money Tammy returned. It was worth every penny to see his eyes light up and the smile that encompassed his entire face.
When she’d returned from letting Boots potty, she’d gone to Bear’s room. It had taken the puppy a while to get some energy out and then get him to go. She figured he’d had enough time to talk to Bandit but realized the conversation wasn’t over. She wasn’t completely sure what he’d talked to Bandit about, but from what she overheard, she had an intuition that said Bear was hesitant to trust her.
With what happened with Angela, it wasn’t a shock, but it had cut her a little. It also made Reagan’s advice that much easier to use. Winnie loved Bear. She’d choose him, but until he decided he could trust her, she wasn’t willing to stay.
What she’d decided was to honor their deal. She’d kiss him, snuggle him, and love on him. When it came time to fly home, she’d do it. She wanted more than just a piece of him because once she gave herself to him, it would be her whole self. She’d be his, and she deserved the same.
“Maybe Bear’s family wouldn’t mind a few intruders next year.” Her mom used the tone that meant there was something between the lines. “You think they’d be okay with that?”
“I’m sure they’d be fine with it. I’m just not sure I’ll be in the picture. He’s not ready for a relationship just yet, and until he is, it can’t go anywhere. I don’t mind trying to fix broken things, but when they’re doing everything in their power to keep the glue from sticking, I need to walk away.”
Her mom inhaled and let it out slowly. “I’m proud of you. You have a sweet nature and giving heart. It’s time you stopped being a doormat.”
“Tammy called and apologized, even returned most of the money, and asked if I could ever forgive her.”
“What did you say?”
“I said that I forgave her, but the trust was gone. That this restaurant venture would continue without her. I can’t put myself in that position again. I won’t. I have value. I’m worth something.”
Sniffing, her mom replied, “Yes, you are. Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited for you to figure that out?”
Winnie shrugged. “Believe it or not, Bear taught me that.”
“He’s a good man. Sweet and kind. But you’re right. Until he can trust you, it’ll never work.”
A loud noise downstairs made Winnie jump, and she looked at the time. “Oh, I need to go. I think they’re about to start opening gifts. I have to get the sweet potato casserole in the oven.”
