Page 35 of Forever Yours on Christmas Eve
Where does that leave you?
Well, that was an excellent question. She had completed a semester of her program and had a reputation for being a trouble-maker.
Dunno. But it leaves my future wide open.
You know what Dad would say to that, right?
She grinned as those three little dots instantly started to dance, waiting for Sev to chant along the mantra she could have sworn her father had created. However, what popped up instead caused her to pause.
He’d say you’re beautiful, intelligent, and capable of anything.
She closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose at his terms of endearment. She’d had the worst day, felt verbally beaten down and exhausted, and yet it was the sweet thoughts of him believing in her that were going to push her straight to the edge.
Sighing to herself, she knew that big changes were going to need to happen in her future. But if she played her cards right, she might just be able to have everything she’d ever wanted.
It wasn’t too late.
Donning a Santa hat and tilting it just so, Kelsey blew out a nervous breath as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. She had on a sweet little off-the-shoulder Mrs. Claus dress that was red and sparkly. The fluffy white trim at the neckline complemented the black sparkly belt at her waist and the flared skirt to her knees. Not that Sev would see the full thing. Unless she got up and gave him a twirl? She thought she might, but looking at herself now, she wondered if it was too over the top. Too much.
Wouldn’t be the first time she’d been accused of being too much.
Slamming her eyes shut to the negative voices, she took a fortifying sniff through her nose.No.This was Sev. If anyone would appreciate it, it would be him.
Stepping back into the center of the room, she took a look around the green walls and dark wood. Her father’s study was a masculine space, and he worked from here often when he was remoting in. He’d been off for several months now, but was going back to work in person in January. They finally got his all-clear a few days ago, and while he wasn’t a big fan of people in general, at least he could walk among them again.
That was a sigh of relief.
Sitting down in the leather office chair, she swiped a few keys and brought up her video feed. She and Sev were having their date together virtually tonight, and she wanted it to be special. Too many times, they’d chatted with a quick prop of her phone while sitting in an overstuffed chair or on her bed. She thought he might like the library this time.
Snapping out of her thoughts when she heard the telltale ring come through the computer’s speakers, she eagerly clicked on “Accept” and watched the video spring to life. Her heart nearly sighed in relief as she took in the gorgeous man sitting opposite her on the big screen. It was almost as if he were just a few inches away from her.
Almost.
“Hey,” he said, giving her a quizzical look. “What do we have here?”
She smiled, giving him a few glamour poses. “Whaddya think?” she asked, tilting her head to catch the sparkles in her red Santa hat.
“It’s perfect,” he said, laughing. It hadn’t been more than a few days since they last spoke, but still, it became apparent to her how very much she missed him.
“Where are you?” she asked, taking in the dark inside of his car. If she had to guess, he was parked in a parking lot or out on the street somewhere under a light.
“I’m in my car.” He grinned, holding his hands up in gesture.
“Why, though?” she wondered. It was his idea to make this a date-date, not just an ordinary video chat like every other time. He’d seen her in her sweats at the hospital, or in her room at night when she wore her oversized T-shirt to bed. This was supposed to be… special.
“It’s part of your Christmas gift. Sorry, I know the timing’s off,” he said. “How’s your dad doing today?”
“Good,” she said, casting a glance at the door in response. “Marta made his favorite tonight, beef stroganoff. I’m hoping they’re having a quiet dinner together right about now.”
“Oh yeah?” he said. “She’s been with you for a while now, hasn’t she?”
“She has.” Kelsey nodded, turning her attention back to the monitor. “Her husband passed away a couple of years ago, so they’ve gotten closer since. I’m not sure why they don’t take the plunge, but both of them say they’re just friends.”
“It’s not a crime to take things slow,” Sev noted.
“True,” she said, leaning on her arm with her chin in her hand. “It’s agony for the rest of us, though.”
“Agony?” Sev laughed. “How’s it agony for you?”
