Page 64 of Booked for the Holidays
“Can’t help it,” Beck says, eyes twinkling as he leans toward me. “I’m in a romantic setting with a beautiful woman. I’m just doing my part to raise the stakes.”
Liam brushes past us with a narrowed look. “Beck. Try behaving for five minutes.”
“I’m charming, not dangerous,” Beck replies, winking at me.
I abandon the jousting Hargrove brothers to see if my mom needs any help. She asks me to do a final décor check before Jasper and Stella arrive. It gives me the perfect excuse to focus on the decorations—twinkly lights and garlands wrapped around the wooden barn’s posts, but my eyes keep dragging back to Liam. He’s helping my aunt and cousin set platters on the buffet. He’s wearing that dark green sweater I love. The one thathugs his arms. The one that makes my heart do silly, fluttery things.
And then there’s Beck, at my side again, offering me a glass of champagne with a low, “Wouldn’t want you to drink alone.”
“You’re very committed to this bit,” I laugh.
“Oh, sweetheart,” he says with a grin, “this isn’t a bit. But I do like watching Liam’s eye twitch when I get too close to you.”
From across the room, Liam shoots Beck a sharp look while I take a sip of champagne.
Stella and Jasper arrive and seeing their surprised and grateful expressions makes my chest squeeze. Watching them together reminds me of how far they’ve come. From childhood rivals at each other’s throats to falling in love last Christmas and now engaged.
But Jasper always knew. He wanted Stella and was willing to rearrange his entire life to make sure he didn’t lose her again. He moved his whole company to New York before she even knew how he felt. That’s the kind of certainty I crave. Someone who picks me, out loud, without hesitation.
Jasper clinks the edge of his glass to get the table’s attention.
“First of all, thank you all for being here tonight to celebrate me and Stell. No matter where I’ve lived or traveled, Cedar Hollow has always been home. Getting to celebrate something this big, at this time of year, with all of you—it means everything.”
He looks at Stella, eyes soft.
“Stella has always had my heart. Since that first day in second grade. I just didn’t know what it was then. And while it took us twenty years to get here, I wouldn’t change a moment of it. She challenges me. She makes me better. And I can’t wait for a lifetime of being outwitted, outmatched, and thoroughly humiliated at Skee-Ball.”
Laughter erupts around the table.
“But really, a year ago, I moved my whole life across the country because sometimes you don’t wait for the right moment, you just pick the person and make every moment count.”
He lifts his glass.
“To Stella…Sparky…my North Star. And to all of you, may you find the person who feels like home and never be afraid to build your life around them.”
My eyes fall on Liam.
He says I’m not just a for now thing and he meansit; I can feel it in the way he looks at me like he’d burn the world down to keep me close. But what does that actually look like?He lives in New York. I’m here. He’s Jasper’s best friend and business partner. He’s always been the guy who keeps things tidy and unmessy. Except, I guess, when it comes to me.
Do we do long distance? Do I uproot my life? Does he uproot his?
Or do we get caught up in this Christmas snow globe and pretend it’ll all work itself out when the decorations come down?
I don’t know.
But I know I’m not ready to look away.
Beck, seated beside me, clears his throat and leans in. “So, Juniper, if Jasper and Stella are the blueprint, do you think that means we’re next?”
I blink. “I think I’d need your middle name first.”
He grins. “Trouble. Beck Trouble Hargrove.”
Across the table, Liam raises an eyebrow. His wineglass pauses midair. “Pretty sure it’s Everett.”
Beck shrugs. “Everett is what’s on my driver’s license. Trouble is more of a lifestyle.”
He nudges my shoulder. “Right, Juni?”
