Page 173 of A Very Merry Enemy
My heart is pounding as I unfold it. I read the heading.
Partnership Proposal
Adorable Bakery
Nashville, Tennessee
I keep reading. Holiday is being offered an equal partnership and creative control with a substantial salary, working alongside Mary Carter. Everything is detailed with timelines, ownership percentages, and profit sharing.
“This is everything you’ve ever wanted,” I whisper.
But it’s Nashville. That’s hours away from here. From me.
When I finally look up, Holiday is watching me with tears streaming down her face.
“Are you considering it?” My voice comes out broken.
“I don’t know.” She wipes her eyes. “I honestly don’t know. She offered it to me today, right after everything happened with Dominic. I haven’t had time to think. I haven’t processed any of it.”
“This is huge, Holiday.” I hand the paper back to her. “This is everything you’ve worked so damn hard for.”
“I know.”
“Mary Carter is—she’s a baking legend. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” I say, knowing Holiday has baked her way through Mary’s cookbooks several times. “When does she need an answer?”
“Christmas Eve.”
That’s in ten days.
“You need to think this over,” I tell her, even though every cell in my body is screaming at me to beg her to stay. “Really think about it. This could change your entire career.”
“Lucas—”
“I’m serious.” I take her hands. “Don’t make this decision based on me. Or us. This is aboutyourfuture. Your dream.”
“You’re my future, too,” she whispers.
“Then we’ll figure it out.” I pull her against my chest even though I don’t know how the hell we’re going to figure this out. “Whatever you decide, I fully support you.”
She cries into my shirt, and I hold her, staring at thatmistletoe hanging above us. This is the same spot where everything began. And maybe it’s where everything ends, too.
We stand there, holding one another for a long time.
Inside, I can hear my family laughing and celebrating. Out here, it strangely feels like the world is ending.
“We should get back inside,” Holiday finally says, pulling away and wiping her eyes. “Before someone notices we’re gone.”
“Yeah,” I tell her.
We go back in, and I watch her plaster on that fake smile again. She hugs Mawmaw and laughs at Sammy and pretends everything’s great. But I know the truth. She’s not fine. Neither am I.
The party goes on until dark. My family starts filtering out, exhausted from the day. Holiday’s family left not too long ago. Hudson and Emma went home after lunch. Jake and Claire have Colby with them.
“You coming?” Jake asks me.
“In a bit. Gonna help Mawmaw clean up.”
He looks between me and Holiday, sees something in my face, but doesn’t push. “All right. See you tomorrow at the farm.”
