Page 128 of A Very Merry Mistake

“Oh yeah, I haven’t introduced you to all of my family yet. There are a lot more Jollys. Some of them are just much younger than us, so we don’t hang out because of the age difference.”

“She was hilarious and confident. I could tell she doesn’t take shit from anyone,” she says.

“Yep, that’s pretty much her. Has been like that since she was a little kid, too.”

Claire smiles. “I’m happy to be here. People have been nice to me. I almost feel like I belong.”

“You do, CeCe. I wish you could see yourself the way I see you. Today, I told the women at the Christmas tree farm that my heart was already taken.”

“Did you?” she whispers. “Why?”

“Because it’s true.”

She shakes her head. “I don’t deserve it.”

“Who said I was talkin’ about you?” I lift a brow and smirk.

She bumps her shoulder into mine. “You’re not?”

I place my palm on her cheek. “You know I am, darlin’. There ain’t nobody I’d rather be with. You’re here. Are you really staying?”

“I am. The first thirty-five years of my life I spent trying to prove myself to a world that didn’t give a shit about me. The next thirty-five years, I want to prove to myself that I deserve to be happy. Merryville is the only place that’s ever felt like home. My father didn’t understand, and he may never. And that’s okay.”

“You do deserve to be happy, and you will be. I’m sorry to hear that about your dad. You’re a good person, CeCe. I’m sure he recognizes that, and if he doesn’t, he needs glasses.”

“Noticed you were wearing yours.” She lifts a brow. “I loved seeing Clark Kent rescue me tonight.”

I smirk. “My eyes were dry.”

“Uh-huh. I’m sure that’s why you put them on.” She doesn’t sound convinced. “How did you know where I lived?”

“You told me the street, and I just drove until I saw your truck. Nice parking job.”

She snickers. “I did what I could.”

“Also, I don’t have your number,” I tell her.

“Oh, shit. Let me rectify that.” She grabs her phone and shoots me a text.

Mine buzzes, but I don’t unlock it. “Thanks. So, want to join my family for Christmas? I know you told my brother you’d be there, but if you don’t want to come, I’ll understand.”

“I’d love to.”

“Great. My parents have asked me several times. It starts at six on Christmas night. I told them to chill out. Everyone is excited you’re back,” I admit, taking another bite.

“Are you?”

I place my hand on her thigh. “Yes. So fuckin’ happy.”

She sighs. “Thank you. I was hoping moving here wasn’t a mistake.”

“Sometimes mistakes are miracles,” I tell her.

She lifts her glass of wine, and I tap mine against hers. “That I agree with.”

We finish eating, dig into our cakes, and then I follow Claire to the kitchen. “We’ll have to make cookies soon.”

“I know it looks like a bomb exploded in here,” she says, looking at the flour and sugar that are everywhere.

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