Page 10 of My Accidental Holidate

Maybe there are no accidents in life. Maybe it’s all written in the stars.

“What are you thinking about?” he asks.

“Accidents and stars.”

He smiles. “Deep.”

“Kinda. I guess you bring that out in me. You’ve started me thinking about things that I haven’t in a while. Facing hard truths that maybe I’ve been attracting the wrong man because I thought I wasn’t right for anyone. I see in your family that people aren’t a burden. They’re… loved. Truly adored and cherished, that’s something that’s no accident in my mind.”

He stops us and looks into my eyes, like he can see into my soul. “You know, when I saw you across the room on Valentine’s Day, something in me snapped. I could feel your pain and I knew you needed me. I just didn’t know you needed my family, too. Will you come with me to the anniversary party?”

I nod and his hand slips behind my neck. My heart crashes against my ribcage.

“I see the stars in your eyes.”

I smirk. “Cheesy.”

“No, really, you have the power of the galaxy inside of you, Lucy. I just hope that I can help you see that.”

His head lowers and I slowly close my eyes. And time is truly boundless. It feels like the kiss goes on forever. His tongue darts to tease the split of my lips, tempting me to meet him. I do and my toes curl in my boots.

“Anniversary party?” he asks, pulling back.

I nod. “I’ll go.”

His lips split into a wide smile and we walk on to my place, hand in hand.

The dream can be a reality, right?

* * *

I grin seeinga text from Kurt letting me know he’s on his way to pick me up. He ends the text letting me know he’d like a repeat performance of our kiss under the stars.

So do I, Kurt.

My cheeks flush recalling the way his lips captured mine, gently, but with an insistence that he was all in. Our tongues meeting briefly before he backed away, the heat in his eyes telling me just how much he didn’t want to let go. He did though. Assuring me as he left that he’d see me soon.

I scroll up through our texts, reading the message he sent me that night for the hundredth time.

Kurt: Thinking of you. How your curls brush your nose in the wind. How your soft your lips are. And how much I want you to find your dream. I’m falling for you and I don’t want to stop falling.

Butterflies flutter in my stomach and I close my eyes, placing a hand to my chest and biting my bottom lip.

Kurt reminded me that he hadn’t told his family about us. How he wanted to wait until after the anniversary party because they were so happy. He assured me that once the party was over, he would explain everything, and we could decide where we wanted to go from there. Remembering how Beth had pulled me into her arms and Grandma Stella planned out our wedding, it was easy to pretend just a little longer.

Although, for the last two days, I’ve wondered if it doesn’t have to be pretend. I stop mid-step to my bedroom at the thought. Sure, I haven’t known him for a long time, but being around him just feels right. Feels good. Feels comfortable. I could absolutely see myself growing old with him. We’d just have to take it a day at a time for now.

But will his family feel the same? They’re protective. And maybe they’ll think the ruse wasn’t fair to them. I can see that. Hell, if we decide to go our separate ways now, I’ll miss them. Granny and her meddling ways. Beth and her sweet smiles and insistence that I be part of the family event.

A knock at the door pulls me out of my thoughts and I go to answer it.

“Hello, Beautiful,” Kurt greets me.

“Hello! Don’t you look handsome,” I respond, reaching a hand out and running my fingertips down the lapel of his blue suit jacket. He captures my hand in his and brings it to his lips for a quick kiss, his eyes promising much more later.

“Are you ready to go, or do you need a few minutes?” he asks, not wanting to rush me.

“I was just on my way to my bedroom to grab my cardigan and then I’ll be ready,” I reply leaving him and heading to my bedroom, wishing I invited him to come with me.

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