Page 143 of The Holiday Fakers
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
He shrugs. “You were so happy. I didn’t want to ruin it.”
I mull over his words for a moment. Sure, I’m disappointed, but this door closing opens another one. And what lies behind it is a future where I don’t have to spend the next year on the other side of the world from Piper.
Putting my free arm around her, I drop a kiss on the top of her head. There’s a lightness in me now that the weight of our potential separation has been lifted.
She tilts her face to look at mine. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Leaning down, I brush a kiss across her lips. “It’s not a crisis; it’s an opportunity.”
A slight crease remains in her forehead, as if all she can think about is my feelings of rejection. And in that moment, just when I think it’s impossible, I fall even deeper in love with her.
“Do you want to visit the Christmas market?” I ask, wanting to be alone with her so we can talk.
She gazes at her mom and Eileen like she’s asking to be excused.
Erica makes a shooing motion with her hands. “You two go on. Eileen and I will look after Marv.”
Getting up, I take out my wallet, but Eileen pushes it back into my pocket with surprising strength. “On the house, honey. Now off you go. It’s the last week of the market, so you might get some good bargains.”
Marv starts to stand, but I place my hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay, man. We can talk later.”
He looks at Piper. “I’m sorry.”
She nods. “Apology accepted.”
Collapsing back into the booth, Marv reaches for a paper napkin to mop up fresh tears.
Erica rubs his back like she’s trying to warm him up. “I think we should take you to the Haven Spa. You need an organic detox juice, a sauna, and a hot stone massage.”
“Ooh, yes,” Eileen pipes up. “And there’s a discount today for seniors!”
“I’m not a se—” Marv says before being drowned out again by Erica and Eileen as they plan their own version of a twelve-step program.
Taking Piper’s hand, I lead her out of Love at First Sip and onto the snowy street. Thankfully, the hail has stopped as quickly as it began, and patches of bright blue are now breaking through the clouds.
I draw in a deep lungful of the crisp air, glad to be outside and relatively alone with Piper.
“I’m sorry you didn’t get the job.”
Guiding her to the side of a building, I take her in my arms. I can’t stop wanting to touch her. I may have lost the job of a lifetime, but I’ve got the woman I’ve always dreamed of.
“It’s all good. I promise. And it means I’ll be on the same side of the world as the woman I love.”
Her cheeks flush adorably, and I kiss her again.
She makes a soft sound, halfway between a gasp and a moan, and I’m instantly hard.
I slant my head, deepening our kiss, my tongue sliding against hers. I don’t care where we are right now. I just need to taste her sweet mouth and underline my words of love with my body.
Her fingers run up the back of my neck into my hair, tugging me closer. She’s hot and needy, and I’m so here for it. Desire roars through me, demanding I back her up against the stone wall and fuck her until she’s coming apart on my cock and screaming my name.
“Get a room!” a man quips, and people laugh.
Reluctantly raising my head, I gaze at Piper and raise an eyebrow.
She giggles. “Maybe we should go to the Christmas market?”
