Page 100 of The Holiday Ex-Files

Noah’s fingers entangled with mine. He pulled me to him. “Are you sure about this?”

“Yes.” I realized if I was looking for Christmas, Noah was the very essence of the season. He was my Christmas.

Each one of my family members zeroed in on Noah and me. Many sly grins were passed between all of us, until they noticed my ex nearby. It was a good thing it was time to follow Santa to the town square, where he would light the Christmas tree—if not, there might have been bloodshed.

Ben and Claudia were so absorbed in themselves, they didn’t even notice us. Fine by me. I decided to ignore them as well.

My parents took Jaxon and Liam, allowing Noah and me to walk hand and hand together in the falling snow. Noah stopped several times to kiss me, very innocently, given the public eye. His sweet kisses set my world on fire. More than the wax, even.

Town square was as beautiful as always, with the large gazebo aglow with twinkle lights. Every tree was covered in them as well. The shops and cafés that outlined the square were draped in boughs of pine and red ribbons. Kids skated on the nearby outdoor skating rink. It was quite Hallmark-ish. And I loved it.

The large crowd gathered round the fifty-foot real tree adorned in unlit lights and massive green and red ball ornaments. Noah wrapped his arms around me from behind, just like Ben had once upon a time. For a moment I stilled.

He’s no Ben, Miss Sparkly reminded me.

She was right. I relaxed against Noah and reveled in his comfort and that snickerdoodle scent of his. Even as I watched Claudia get into the thick of it all, getting as close to Santa as she could. Kris Kringle flashed her an annoyed look before he got right back into character as his jolly self. Ben had to intervene and pull his wife out of the way.

Noah whispered in my ear, “Don’t you ever compare yourself to her.”

“I won’t,” I promised him. Not an ounce of jealously ran through me. Claudia was rude and only thought of herself. She and Ben were perfect for each other.

It was almost as if Ben knew his grip on me was evaporating. As he was pulling his wife to the side, his gaze happened to catch us. He let go of Claudia’s arm and stared at us dumbfoundedly. Even from the distance, I could see his face explode in red.

I tilted my head to look up at Noah. “Does he know about us?”

“He does now.” Noah sounded awfully satisfied. He kissed my cheek.

Ben still glared, behaving as if he were frozen in place.

The best thing I could think to do was ignore him. Instead, I focused on those around me who meant the world to me. And of course, Santa, who was now leading the countdown to flipping the switch. The crowd was counting down from ten to one. When we all shouted, “one!” the gorgeous tree lit up the square while Noah lit up my world.

“I love you, Cami,” he whispered in my ear, before turning me toward him. He ran his cold hand down my cheek, wet from the snow and tears. His incredible blue eyes peered into my soul, making me believe in Christmas once again.

I stood on my tiptoes and brushed his lips with my own. I wasn’t quite ready to say “I love you,” but I wanted to give him hope. He must have gotten a shot of it, since his lips pressed against mine as he dramatically dipped me, making my family ooh and ahh . . . Okay, some said, “Ew.”

Mom clapped her hands, before trying to wrap her arms around us both when Noah pulled me back up. “I knew it. This calls for a celebration. Moon Café for hot chocolate and pastries.”

All the minions went nuts cheering for sweets, though many already had candy canes sticking out of their mouths. Poor Moon Café had no idea what shenanigans were in store for their employees. Thankfully my parents were generous tippers.

“Sounds good, Mom.” I could see her eyes were already swirling with the possibilities Noah presented. I was beginning to see them too. Too bad I had to face my past first. Ben and Claudia appeared out of thin air. Ben, looking like a clone of his dad, with not a single hair out of place and dressed in a fine long, dark wool coat, even though it was snowing, got right in Noah’s face.

My brothers all banded together like they were Noah’s guard.

“Are you dating my wife?” Ben poked Noah in the chest.

Noah’s face scrunched with revulsion when he glanced at Claudia, who stood there looking bored with a hand on her hip, tapping her foot. I’m sure this was impeding her Insta stories or something.

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