Page 15 of When Ivy Met Mr. Holiday
Mom threw her arms around me. “This is the best surprise ever! We always knew you two would end up together, and when Paige saw online that you were a couple and at the Austin airport together, it was just the best Christmas present ever. Well, you know, besides the baby Jesus.”
Stunned. I was absolutely stunned.
All the oxygen had evaporated—I couldn’t seem to pull in enough air. Jack and I were already all over the internet—and my sister Paige had seen it?
And my family hadalwaysthought we’d end up together? Seriously, where was I when that memo was circulated?
Mom abandoned me completely and bulldozed straight into Jack—knocking our luggage to the floor in the process.
“Welcome to the family, honey.”
Jack wrapped my mom up in a full embrace, then peeked over her crooked Santa hat—flashing me the most arrogant smile imaginable. “Thanks, Jaquelyn. I’m the luckiest man in the world.”
Oh, he was lucky all right—lucky I hadn’t strangled him . . .yet.
How was our friendship ever going to survive our fake love affair?
Chapter Four
“Friends are generally of the same sex, for when men and women agree, it is only in the conclusions; their reasons are always different.”
George Santayana
Jack
Jaquelynloopedherarmsthrough Ivy’s and mine as we stepped into the mudroom of Ivy’s childhood home. Ahead of us, her dad, Bradford, strode in, carrying some of our luggage, waving off my offer to help with a quiet shake of his head. The rest of the family had already rushed inside, busy getting kids to bed.
Bradfordalways reminded me of a movie dad—salt-and-pepper hair cropped short and neat, broad-shouldered, with that steady, reassuring presence that made you feel like everything was going to be okay just because he was in the room.
The exterior of their home was just as Ivy had gushed about over the years, a blend of stone and wood reminiscent of an upscale ski lodge, its charm enhanced by towering snow-laden pines dotting the property. Twinkle lights hung on all the eaves and columns, making it feel like a veritable winter wonderland.
The mudroom was just as impressive, with built-ins seamlessly organizing coats and shoes—nothing out of place. And a Christmas tree stood tucked into the corner, another reminder that Ivy’s family didn’t just celebrate the holiday—they apparently breathed it.
Ivy hadn’t exaggerated—her family took Christmas seriously. The real question was: Could I?
To me, the holidays had always been nothing but a grim reminder of a past I’d worked hard to forget. Even now, I refused to let any of those gut-wrenching memories surface, though they threatened to in the face of all this holiday cheer. But I knew I had to make a truce with the season. Ivy loved this time of year—and I loved her.
And I meant what I’d said about wanting to love the things she loved.
Maybe if she saw me making an effort, she’d realize my romantic feelings were anything but fake.
“Ihope you two don’t mind sharing Ivy’s old room,” Jaquelyn giggled.
“What?” Ivy skidded to a stop, panic flashing across her face. “Um, isn’t that against your rules?”
Ivy had warned me her parents were old-fashioned about relationships—at least when it came to sleeping over at their house. I was supposed to end up in a guest room. This was definitely preferable.
“Oh, please, honey. Your dad and I are with the times now.” Jaquelyn waved a dismissive hand. “And besides, there’s no room left. Our family’s growing. We even had to put Graham and Kaden in the den on the sofa bed.”
Graham and Kaden are Ivy’s oldest nephews, sons of Drew and Kira. Drew is Ivy’s oldest brother, and Kira is his wife.
“I don’t want to make you and Dad uncomfortable—I can just take the couch in the family room,” Ivy insisted.
“Nonsense.” Jaquelyn didn’t even slow down, tugging Ivy along like there was no room for argument. “You don’t need to be embarrassed about that part of your life.”
Ivy’s cheeks pinked, her mouth falling open—but no words escaped.
I figured it was time to step in.
