Page 41 of A Very Merry Mistake

Once my phone is on, I’m bombarded with a barrage of messages. As soon as I see Dale’s name, I ignore the messages and hit “reply,” my fingertips stabbing the screen hard enough to wake Jake.

Claire

We are over. Leave me alone.

Then I blocked him, just as I should have before. I’m sick of empty promises and lies. I won’t fall for it again.

Then I scroll down to see Emma’s texts and reply.

Claire

I’m fine, please don’t send out a search party. I love you, and I’ll call you as soon as I can.

I glance at the time and it’s just past five. She’ll be up soon because she attends an online yoga class every morning and she’s an hour ahead of me.

While I wait for her reply, I throw a few logs onto the fire and sit on the couch, watching the flames as I think about yesterday.

Meeting Jake’s parents was a highlight of my trip. I’m not used to the hugs, the food, or friendliness. They’re adorable, the type of personalities that television parents are based on.

However, it confirms how different we are from one another. Yesterday, as we laughed at the table and ate French toast, I was envious of Jake and what he had. His family home is filled with love and laughs and support.

I can only imagine his childhood and know it was opposite of mine. While he was playing on the farm and getting dirty, I was wearing a pressed uniform at boarding school.

I’ve never kissed anyone under mistletoe in my life or met a real Santa Claus. Yesterday was a great day. But I can’t stop thinking about how good his lips felt on mine. When we returned home, Jake acted as if it hadn’t happened.

I shouldn’t have crossed that line, but I don’t regret it.

Something twisted inside of me as I tasted the hint of coffee and mint from his toothpaste. Jake Jolly is kind, generous, and sexy as hell. He’s too good to be true, almost as if he’s a cookie cutter of the type of man I’ve been searching for my entire life. But he’s Texas and I’m New York, and while being with him is fun, I don’t think it would ever work out. I only hope staying with him won’t be my biggest mistake yet.

We’ve officially been without power for longer than I expected.

But it’s not as bad as I’d thought it would be. As long as we continue to have hot water, a fridge that keeps our food safe, wood, and a gas stove, I’m okay. I wouldn’t say I’m thriving, but I’m realizing the simple life isn’t as awful as I’d imagined it to be. I’m trying to live in the moment, because one day, I may wish for this escape from my reality.

The outside world and my worries have faded while I’m in this little cabin in the woods. It’s like a detox from my responsibilities.

I’ve not had to do a thing while I’ve taken space in Jake’s house. A tinge of guilt covers me when I think about everything he’s done for me. He’s treated me with kindness and respect. He shared his space, his books, and even his bed.

My phone buzzes in my lap, and it’s so quiet—and I’m still half-asleep—that I jump, nearly dropping it on the floor.

Tinsel jumps up next to me on the couch.

I reach over and pet her, and she purrs before she plops down.

“Aww, do you like me now?” I try to pet her belly, and she playfully swats at me.

“Okay, I understand that. Boundaries. Got it.”

I bring my attention back to my phone to see a message from an unknown number.

Unknown

You can’t avoid me.

I read the threatening tone in the message, knowing who it is—Dale.

“Good mornin’,” I hear from behind me in a gruff voice.

The panic rises inside of me and I scream, my phone flying out of my hand.

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