Page 23 of Lights, Camera, Christmas

Instead, I thread my fingers through his, bringing his knuckles to my lips and pressing a soft kiss on his rough skin.

We lay like that, our legs entwined, Maddox’s strong arms wrapped around me for a long, long time, until we’re both too hot to stay here any longer.

When we stand, it feels like the moment’s fleeting and shattered, and a heavy ache settles in my chest.

Maddox drives me back to the inn, kissing me softly on the lips in the dark, the only light the silvery moon above. Snow Street’s strangely quiet and the air is still.

Then I climb out of the golf cart and go inside, sadness mixing with regret, washing over me.

Why couldn’t I say it back?

Because I do love him.

Even if he doesn’t end up being my Happily Ever After, Maddox Banks will always be the one who helped me finally be me.

12

MADDOX

Last night,I laid it all out there.

I gave Ivy every piece of me, and it felt good.

Sure, she didn’t say anything back, but that’s okay. I needed her to know how I feel.

Buzz, buzz.

I roll over, grab my cell off my nightstand.

Scott: Axl needs you for the last scene. Can you pick Ivy and Josh up at the dock? Trying to beat the weather

I peer out the window at dark clouds building off in the distance. He’s probably correct about that—after being on Candy Cane Key for a month and half, dude’s finally starting to understand the weather patterns.

Springing out of bed, I throw on a fresh shirt, shorts, and shoes, and head out with a heaviness in my chest.

Today’s the last scheduled day of filming. Tons of delays, but this is it—we’re finally at the finish line and ‘the circus’ will be gone soon.

And so will Ivy.

That thought sends a shooting pain straight through me and I’m nauseous. I can’t imagine not seeing her smiling face every day, kissing those perfect lips of hers.

I jog down the dock to the boat. Ivy and Josh are already there, Josh pacing up and down, an angry scowl etched on his face.

The guy’s a real asshole; I can’t believe Ivy has to pretend to be in love with him. She must be an amazing actress because I can barely handle being around him at all, let alone muster up any kind of goodwill toward him.

“Hey!” I wave at the two of them and Josh freezes, his brow raising.

“The Sea Captain’s arrived. Perfect,” he sneers, shoving a hand in his pocket.

I brush off the jab, and head straight to the boat, untethering the heavy rope and hopping in. I extend my hand to Ivy and she takes it, gazing at me through her thick lashes. My heart pounds with the contact as we stare at each other.

“Anyone going to help me or should I jump in?” Josh interrupts our moment and I reluctantly drop Ivy’s hand, although I don’t help him.

“Cool, I’ve got it.” Josh drops into the boat, bouncing against the side, unsteady. I hold in a snicker—serves the asshole right.

My pocket buzzes with another text.

Scott: Head out, then cut back to the beach, facing us. We’re going to film in the deeper water today

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