Page 31 of The Bookworm Who Stole Christmas
“What? Not you, too,” I exclaim before pinching the bridge of my nose. “I thought we were in this together? We’re not keeping secrets from her, we’re just trying to show her the holiday cheer.”
“I can see something between the two of you, Parker. It won’t end well if you don’t tell her the truth,” Mom says slowly, like she’s talking to a child.
I scoff. “There’s no truth to be told.”
“I revert to my earlier statement—you still have a lot to learn about women. You’re a thirty-nine-year-old man who acts like you’re still in your twenties sometimes,” she says, throwing her arms wide. “Maybe you need to start looking at the bigger picture. It’s not all about you, Parker.” She rolls her eyes at me, clearly upset, and walks out of the room.
My eyes widen in shock as my gaze follows my mom. “What just happened?”
“And that’s where you’re going wrong, Dad,” Amelia says sadly. “This isn’t about you trying to prove a point. This is aboutMaddieand being truthful because I, for one, would like to keep her around.”
“Squirt—” I begin, emotion pooling in my chest that my daughter is upset with me, but she interrupts me.
“Just don’t say we didn’t warn you.” She gives me a pointed look and follows after Mom.
“I know what I’m doing,” I call out after them, but I’m only met with silence.
Idoknow what I’m doing… right?
Knocking on Maddie’s door, I place my hands in my pockets and think back on what Mom and Amelia said. Should I tell her the truth? I mean, is there ever a right time to tell the woman you’re falling in love with that the only reason why you started spending time with her was because you thought she was hot, and you wanted to change her mind about Christmas?
It’s not that bad. I’m sure it’ll be fine.
Resolved that I’m doing the right thing by not telling her, I raise my head high and wait by her door. She answers a few seconds later, taking my breath away. The black leggings and cream sweater she’s wearing hug every inch of her, and her hair flows down in soft curls past her shoulders. She looks incredible.
Picking my jaw up off the floor, I manage to say, “Hi, sweetheart. You ready?”
A quiet smile plays at the corner of her mouth, her eyes sparkling as they meet mine. “Yeah, let me just grab my coat.”
Maddie pushes the door forward slightly, leaning behind it to grab her coat. She shrugs it on before picking up her bag, glancing over at me as she locks up. “You gonna tell me where we’re going yet? As much as Ihate a good surprise, the last one left me soaking wet and my muscles aching… and not in a good way.”
I chuckle, leaning in to kiss her. “Good to know. But nope, I’m not telling you anything. You’ll find out soon enough.” I sling an arm around her shoulder, leading her to my car.
“Your optimism is slightly concerning,” she grumbles.
“Ah, but you love it, though.”
Maddie blushes, retorting, “If I have to.”
“I mean, you don’thaveto, but it would be nice if you did.”
She slaps my chest gently, and I act as if she’s just punched me. “Ow, you pack a mean punch, lady.” I rub where she hit me, my face twisted in faux pain.
Maddie laughs, her eyes twinkling. “Are you always like this?”
“Pretty much, yeah. My mom says I need to act my age, but I prefer the ‘you’re only as young as the woman you feel’ adage.” I run my hands up and down her arms. “So, currently I’m twenty-eight.”
“Heaven help me. Stop,” she exclaims jokingly. “Next, you’ll start with the dad jokes.”
I open my mouth to reply, but she cuts me off, her eyes narrowing. “Don’t. Even. Think. About. It.”
I make a zipping motion with my hand against my mouth. I’ll get those dad jokes in at some point, Amelia loves them… sort of.
Laughing, I take hold of Maddie’s hand as we trundle through the snow to my car that’s parked down the street.
I open the door, gesturing for her to get in. She gives me a confused look, one that says, ‘where the fuck are you taking me?’ but gets in anyway. I jog around to the front ofthe car and climb in, the engine humming to life as I turn my key in the ignition. Messing with the heating for a second—turning it up enough to keep her warm—I pull out onto the road for our little trip.
Chapter Nineteen
