Page 104 of The Holiday Ex-Files

I found him sitting next to the tree, all sexy-like in his tight tee and his yummy jeans. Seriously, I could trace the barbed wire tats around his muscular biceps all day long. He was the best gift under the tree I could have ever asked for. I hoped he liked my gift as much as I enjoyed mine.

I cozied up next to him and leaned my head on his shoulder before placing the wrapped box in his hands. “Merry Christmas.”

He stared at the box. “I feel bad. I didn’t know we were exchanging gifts tonight or I would have brought yours.”

“That’s okay, you can just tell me what it is,” I teased.

“That’s not how it works.” He kissed my head.

“Fine, be all by the rules. But hurry and open your gift.”

“Anxious, are we?” He chuckled before popping off the bow and undoing the ribbon. Then, like a child, he ripped off the paper in two seconds flat. He tipped the lid open and pulled out the book. His fingers grazed the white cover and gold scripted letters. “Cami and Noah,” he whispered. “I already love it.”

“Look inside.”

He reverently opened the book. The first page was a picture of us kissing while we skated on the outdoor ice-skating rink. We were the ultimate cute couple with our hand-crocheted scarves from Mara. The next pages documented our lives over the last two weeks. Us on the holiday Ferris wheel here in Aspen Lake, a few of us while we strolled the ice sculpture display, walks down Santa Claus Lane as we shopped. My favorites, though, were us holding Amayah and Camila, who had been able to come home a few days ago. Yes, I had popped some more eggs as I’d snuggled those little angels.

Noah looked longingly at us, each with a baby in our arms, smiling at each other. “This is what I want for us someday.”

“I know.” But I also knew I needed to take it a day at a time for now. Marriage and babies were definitely a possibility for us, but under the circumstances, I felt it was best to take it slow. “You can be patient awhile longer, right?”

“Cams.” He caressed my thigh. “You’re worth any wait.”

I was seriously going to fall in love with this man any second now. But first I needed him to see the rest of the book. “Turn the page.”

He flipped the page and kept flipping, his smile growing wider and wider with each picture. “I can’t believe you did this.”

“Well, you said every photo shoot you did was in a place you knew I loved; I thought it was only fair that I should be in the pictures.”

“Look at you, using your Photoshop skills for good, not evil.” He laughed.

“Hey, I can crop myself out.”

“Don’t you dare.” He pulled me onto his lap.

I snuggled against his chest; his heart pounded clear and steady.

He pulled up the book and pointed to the last picture of the hot springs. I had photoshopped myself in a red bikini next to his beautiful abs and chest. “This one is my favorite,” he crooned.

“Of course it is.”

“Isn’t that the bikini you bought for the Virgin Islands?”

“Yes.”

“You know, we could go together for Christmas.”

I sat up and met his sexy gaze, visions of Noah and me on the beach dancing in my head. “That is an idea.” I bit my lip.

“What do you say?”

“I say, Christmas is wherever you are.”

Christmas Day

Dear Ex-Filers, for those of you feeling sparkly today, I say I hope you have a very merry Christmas. For those of you feeling snarky, maybe even a tad bitter or alone, I say think of all the money you’re saving. If that doesn’t make you feel better, for fun, watch all your married friends and family fight. It’s bound to happen. Kids up too early plus alcohol always sparks a few good arguments. So, pop some popcorn and enjoy.

And please don’t forget: placement, people. If you even think you’ll need a picture cropped, for all the love, please don’t let that person be in the middle of any photo. I will charge extra.

Lots of love,

Cami

I clicked publish and threw my phone into my beach bag while Noah slathered my back in suntan oil as we soaked in the sun and waves crashing against the shoreline. Merry Christmas to me. His plan was genius. A tropical vacation for two and Noah in his swim trunks.

“Baby, I think you missed a spot.”

Noah gently rubbed my back. “Where?”

I turned around and pointed at my lips.

He gave me an impish grin. “I better take care of that.”

“Like immediately.”

He dropped the lotion and took me into his arms. He brushed my hair back before whispering, “I love you, Cams.”

“I love you too.”

New Year’s Eve

Dear Ex-Filers, first of all, cheers to those of you walking into the New Year single. There is no shame in that. Remember, kissing frogs when the ball drops at midnight doesn’t turn them into princes. But I mostly want to wish you each the happiest of New Year’s! Words can’t express my gratitude for those of you still sticking it out with me. Please don’t drink and drive or drink and date. These are words to live by people.

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