Page 176 of A Very Merry Enemy
“I’ve always wanted this,” I tell him, and he interlocks his fingers with mine, pulling me closer.
“Me too,” he says, stealing a quick kiss.
“Holiday! Lucas!” Claire waves at us by the ticket booth while juggling hot chocolates. Jake is trying to keep Colby from running off as he stands in line at the ticket booth. “You made it!” she says to us as we move closer.
“Colby,” Jake says, grabbing his shirt. Colby’s face is blue from the cotton candy he must’ve already devoured.
“Aunt Holiday,” he says, reaching toward me. Jake lets him go, and he rushes me, giving me a hug.
“Bee!” I bend down and give him a high five. The last time he came to the bakery, he told me to call him by his nickname.
He runs his hand down my hair. “Your hair looks so pretty today.”
“Leave my woman alone,” Lucassays to him.
Colby balls up his little fist. “No, she’s not.”
I chuckle at him. “Yes, actually. I’m dating your uncle Lucas.”
“Oh.” He looks between us. “Are you going to have babies? So Evan and Ella can have more friends?”
“Uh,” I say, watching him. “Not any time soon. Ask Jake and Claire to bring you cousins first.”
“Yes!” he says. “I’m going to be the oldest, too. Just like my daddy!”
Jake walks over with a ton of tickets and takes one of the hot chocolates from Claire. She hands Colby one. They’ve been spoiling him rotten since the twins were born so he doesn’t feel left out. Plus, Emma and Hudson have their hands full at the moment, taking care of two newborns. He’s a fun kid and is always happy.
“How are you?” Claire asks as Jake and Lucas entertain Colby.
“I’m doing great,” I tell her with a smile.
Claire doesn’t look convinced, but she also doesn’t push.
We walk through the festival grounds, past the winter wonderland and elf village, over to the bonfire. The flames reach toward the sky, and sparks float upward to the stars. A huge crowd is gathered around, with most sitting on logs. Among tourists and townsfolk, I find my family and the Jollys sprinkled throughout.
Everyone wants to talk about the competition and what’s next for us. Each question feels loaded, like they’re really asking about our entire future. It’s added pressure we don’t need.
“Dad, please. We’re enjoying the moment,” I say.
Lucas grabs my hand and lightly brushes his thumb against mine. “We’ll see everyone later,” he says, waving goodbye to our families.
Seconds later, he’s leading me over to where the band is playing some slow country music.
“Wanted to be alone with you,” he says, pulling me close.
I wrap my arms around his neck, and we sway slowly to the music. His hands rest on my waist, then slide lower to my hips, pulling me against him. There’s no space between us now. I can feel the heat of his body through our clothes, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against my chest.
“I love this,” I whisper against his neck, breathing him in.
“Me too.” His voice is strained. One hand moves up to tangle in my hair.
He’s not looking at me like we have forever, but more like he’s preparing to let me go.
His green eyes seem darker than usual under these dim lights, and they’re filled with something I can’t explain. I have to tell him right now. No more of this uncertainty.
“Lucas—”
He kisses me before I can finish. Not gentle or sweet, but desperate, like he’s claiming me for the entire world to see. His hand tightens in my hair, and I press closer, opening for him. The music fades away. The crowd around us disappears. There’s only this—his mouth on mine and his hands gripping me like I’m the only thing keeping his feet on the ground.
