Page 47 of All I Want For Christmas Is You

She reached for his hand. “You’re perfect. You know that? Absolutely perfect.”

“I’m not, but I sure want to be for you.”

She couldn’t believe he’d just said that. But just as her spirits soared with happiness to have this amazing man, reality punched a hole, making her plummet.

Because in a few hours, he’ll be on a plane. And she’d never see him again.

She shook it off because this time with him was too good, and she was determined to stay in the moment. “Your turn. Show me your kids.”

He leaned over the bed, reaching for his jeans. “How come you never say his name?” He pulled his phone out of the pocket, then settled back in against the pillows and punched in his code.

She’d never thought about it before. It certainly wasn’t intentional. “If I don’t, it’s because he doesn’t deserve it.”

“That’s fair.”

“And I don’t want to look at him because he’s my past. Right now, I’m building a future. It’s not that I have regrets—I loved being a mom and I loved giving my whole self to my family—but I neglected my needs for a very long time, and now, it’s my turn. I’m excited about the adventure—well, of course, I’m scared, too. Who isn’t anxious about the unknown? But I want—I need—to focus on all the good things that are coming my way.”

“I like that.”

“My ex made a choice, and now we’re on very different paths. Petra’s everything I wasn’t. She’s aggressive, driven, and cold. He used to come home from work and tell me stories about her life, how she was abandoned by both her parents. Her dad left the family, and her mom couldn’t handle being a single mother, so she was raised by her aunt. He’d talk about how ruthless she was in her relationships. My ex wants money and success, and I want love and friendship and to live off my art. And if he hadn’t left me, I’d never get any of those things.”

“Well, this is highly disappointing.” Mischief gleamed in his eyes. “Sounds like, when you go to your daughter’s wedding, you won’t be sneaking into his hotel room and putting Nair in his shampoo.”

She laughed. “No. I think the choice he made will be punishment enough.”

“Do you have a picture of her?”

“Of Petra? Not on my phone, but I can show you their website.” She typed the company name into the search engine, and when she got there, she clicked the Management Team button. Petra’s face popped up. Slender with short blond hair, she wore a beige sleeveless silk shell that accentuated her curves.

“Yeah, okay.” He barely even looked.

“Not your type, huh?”

“Not at all. See how she’s got her arms folded under her tits? She’s saying I’m a professional in the board room, but I’ll blow you under the table.”

She burst out laughing. “Beau.”

“Do you disagree?”

“No, you’re right. That’s exactly what she’s saying.”

He leaned closer, setting his chin on her shoulder. “You’re way more beautiful than her.”

“He didn’t leave me for a hotter woman. He left me for his own survival. Okay, your turn. Can I see Walker?”

“Sure, but just so we’re clear. Your body drives me wild, and you have great fucking tits. But that’s not what attracted me to you. It was your smile. Your kindness. You’re…special, Margot. Trust me on that, okay?”

She thought she’d lost her ability to do that, but with him—at least in this moment—she believed him. “Okay. And just so we’re clear, for an engineer, you have a pretty bangin’ body.”

He grinned.

“And that double-dimpled smile of yours has the power to make women swoon.”

“It’s my secret weapon.”

“Oh, really? So, you’re aware of your superpower and wield it when necessary?”

“No.” He scowled. “You think anyone gives a shit about dimples in the mining industry?” He scrolled through his phone. “Here’s Walker on his last birthday.”

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