Page 13 of Lights, Camera, Christmas

Except it quickly turned into Happily Never After. The second we were man and wife, Luca lost interest in me.

Sure, he smiled for photo ops and made all the press rounds with me by his side, happy to see his star rising again.

Then the rumors started swirling. Luca with a young actress from another network. Luca with that hot new screenwriter’s daughter. Luca hooking up with the makeup artist on set.

Basically, Luca with everyone but me.

I stayed because I didn’t want to tank my career.

Ironic, considering it tanked anyway. Even after putting up with all of his bullshit.

Well, guess what? I’m now in my ‘I-don’t-give-a-damn’ era.

Fuck Luca and his stupid affairs.

Fuck theboys will be boysmentality.

Fuck the Hollywood double standards.

I’m done with all of it.

But maybe you’re not totally done with love after all.

My chest lightens, the weight of the last few months lifting, and my spirit’s buoyed for the first time in forever.

I have a sneaking suspicion it has a lot to do with one Maddox Banks.

I glide down the stairs, and there he is, leaning casually against the banister, waiting. He’s wearing a light blue dress shirt with the sleeves rolled to the elbows, khaki shorts, and flip flops.

As soon as he catches sight of me, his face lights up with a wide smile, and he’s easily one of the most gorgeous men I’ve ever seen. Every nerve in my body fires and I’m giddy and nervous andalive.

I didn’t know—didn’t even realize until this very moment—how dead I was inside.

“Hey.” Maddox’s deep voice sends a delicious shiver racing through me and I feel good. Better than good.

“Hi.” I smile as he takes my hand, helping me down the last stair. He smells of fresh pine and peppermint, like Christmas personified, and I have to resist the urge to snuggle into his chest and take a long whiff.

“You look beautiful.”

I blush as his deep blue eyes rake over my skin, appreciating every curve, every inch of my body.

“Thanks. I wasn’t sure about the dress—” I gesture down at my little black dress, one of my go-to outfits when I need confidence.

“Why? You’re gorgeous.”

My cheeks flame, even as my heart pounds with appreciation. “I didn’t want to be overdressed.”

“You’re not, it’s all good. Come on.” He laces his fingers in mine and leads me out to the porch.

“I have the golf cart, but I thought you might like to walk and take in the sights?”

“Sure.” I’m happy I ditched the heels at the last second; Candy Cane Key doesn’t seem like a high heel kind of place.

“Super.” Maddox smiles over at me as we turn onto Snow Street. The sun’s setting, pink and orange streaks painting the sky. Everyone we pass waves and talks to Maddox, sharing a fishing story here, a piece of town trivia there, and I feel like I’m with a celebrity, not the other way around.

“You seem to be pretty popular around town.” I glance over at him as he says good-bye to Ms. Jolly, the owner of the interior decorating shop down the street.

“Nah. I’m just a local guy, born and raised right here in Candy Cane Key. You live somewhere long enough, you get to know people. What about you? Did you grow up in L.A.?”

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