Page 27 of A Christmas Road Trip

I blink and stare up at him. There are enough streetlights for me to see his face clearly. “What?”

“You heard me. You need to unclench. Let’s go get something to drink, and I’ll be your boyfriend for fifteen minutes.” He turns toward the town hall, stretching his hand out toward me.

I hesitate for a few seconds but then reach to take his hand. “It’s silly.”

“What’s wrong with being silly?”

“It’s petty.”

“You’re allowed to be petty every now and then. And I’m not convinced this woman is as genuinely nice as you’re saying. I bet part of her enjoyed lording it over you and feeling superior. So it will be good for her to see how great you’re doing and how you found a hot, devoted boyfriend.”

I snicker and speed up to keep up with him. He’s got my hand in a firm clench, and he’s not letting it go. “You’re being ridiculous.”

“So I’m a hot, devoted, ridiculous boyfriend. You could still do worse.”

“I could do way worse.”

That comment comes out a little more genuinely than I intended, but Chase doesn’t appear to notice anything wrong with it. He slants me a quick smile before we step into the brighter lighting in front of the building.

They’ve clearly set it up to be festive and accommodating to tourists and town visitors. We’re greeted by a friendly couple who ask where we’re from and if we have any questions. We chat for a minute, and then they tell us to make sure to get some cookies and cider or hot chocolate inside.

We make our way farther into the building and wander through the in-your-face holiday decorations until we see the people serving refreshments.

Carly is standing behind the cider table. She smiles when she sees us.

Chase still has my hand firmly captured in his.

We go through the introductions and get our hot cider, and Carly asks me about where I live and what I do. I tell her about my job, and Chase pulls up my website to show off my side business, talking it up so much I’m almost embarrassed but in a pleased way.

He’s finally let go of my hand, but at one point, he slides an arm around me to give me a squeeze and then he doesn’t withdraw it.

I lean against him as we chat. I really like how his arm feels around me. And how his warm, firm, lean body feels against me. It answers a kind of clinginess inside me that I’ve always tried to pretend doesn’t exist.

When there’s a brief lull in conversation, Chase wraps his other arm around me in a fuller hug. I clench my hand in his shirt.

“Y’all are a cute couple,” Carly says. “How long have you been together?”

I hesitate slightly, but Chase answers easily, “We’ve known each other forever, but we just got together recently. It was a long time coming.”

“That’s great. I’m happy for you.” There’s a slight edge to her tone and her expression.

I suddenly wonder if she’s not entirely happy with her life and she’s somehow jealous of me.

It never once occurred to me that someone like Carly would be jealous of me, but maybe it’s actually possible.

“Yeah,” Chase says, clearly getting into his role as my boyfriend big time. “We’re pretty happy. I guess I’ve been in love with Paige for half my life, and she finally opened her eyes and saw me standing there, adoring her.”

I gasp and look up at him, only half playing a role. “It wasn’t like that at all! I’ve always seen you!”

“Sure you have,” he says with a fond laugh, tilting my head up and leaning down to brush my lips lightly with his.

The kiss sends tingles of intense pleasure all through my body. I have no idea how there’s such an extreme response to such a light touch.

My knees almost buckle. I cling to him even more.

I’m not sure what any of us would say next, but a large family wanders in just then, the kids running to the cookies and hot chocolate and the parents coming over to the cider table.

Since Carly is distracted, we wave goodbye and step away from her.

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