Page 47 of Faking It with My Bossy Ex

Chapter 22

Dylan

The ugly pillow wall is the first thing I notice in the morning. It’s maintained its original height for the past two nights, save for one or two pillows that fell off and no one has put back.

I remember the nights when it was almost gone. Maybe we can get that back. I am out of the shower and dressed by the time that Amy gets up. As she gathers her things, I notice a covered painting against the wall. Someone delivered it a few days ago.

“Is that painting for the auction?” I ask as Amy runs a hairbrush through her hair. She’s perched on the side of the bed, a neutral expression on her face.

After winning the eating contest the night before, we seem to be on slightly better terms, and I’m hoping that it will continue because it’s the last day of the Couple’s Contest and of thefundraiser, and I want to enjoy some of the work we’ve put into it all.

“I’m not sure yet. I thought it would be, but compared to my other paintings, it’s a little simpler. I’m not sure if anyone would even want it. Besides, it’s a little sentimental.”

“Oh?” I raise my eyebrows and head over toward the painting. She rushes toward me to stop me, but I’m too fast and pull off the sheet covering it before she can do anything.

I stop breathing for a few seconds. It’s like stepping back in time to that night, just us, the world falling away. If I didn’t know how much time it takes to paint, I’d bet she captured it right after our night at the pond.

The colors pull me back to that memory so vividly I can almost feel the cold bite of the ice and hear her laughter echoing around us. The lamp post casts golden hues over the white ice, making it sparkle in blues and whites.

A young woman skates gracefully, her back skate lifted and her arms out as she balances on the wind. The look on her face is one of pure joy, lost in thought, in loving the moment of her life.

The young man has a similar look on his face. He’s skating backward, right in front of the girl, his arms crossed over his chest, as if showing off how easy the maneuver is. The expression on his face is also full of wonder, but his eyes are focused solely on the girl’s face.

I know what that felt like, what he was thinking, what put that smile on his face, and the protective way he stayed close to her in case she fell because the boy in the picture is me.

“We were in high school. It was our third date, and I thought it was too good to be true.” Amy’s voice is soft, wavering ever so slightly. “It was one of the happiest afternoons of my life and when I found myself in Europe, I wanted to remember what that sort of love and happiness looked like.”

My heart aches at her words. I made her feel as if she didn’t know what it was like to be happy anymore.

I reach for her hand, trying to ignore the fact that I’m feeling a dozen things at once, none of them simple. My thumb moves instinctively across her knuckles, and I hope she doesn’t notice that I’m gripping a little tighter than usual, like letting go isn’t an option right now.

“I’m sorry,” I say softly. The words feel too small for everything I want to say.

***

My palms are sweaty and my chest itches. Who knew how itchy a Christmas sweater would be? Not to mention, after running around and doing a Christmas scavenger hunt together, it’s getting a bit too warm.

“Are you sure we got everything on the list?” Amy asks, looking up from where she’s petting Pepper. The dog has followed us around all day, our own personal helper. Granted, he did help us find the peppermint cookies hidden outside in little packages.

“You don’t trust me?” I ask, handing Amy the list. “Go ahead, check it again.”

She giggles as she takes the list, her lips curving up into one of those delectable smiles.

“I trust you. It’s Pepper here saying you might have missed something.” Pepper wags his tail, trying to prove his innocence while she scans through the items on the list. We’re almost to the front when she hands it back. “Looks like you’re right.”

“See?” I ask. “You were worried about nothing. I have to say, you look like you want to win.”

“Seeing as we’re in the lead for the grand prize by one point, yes, of course I want to win.” Amy shakes her head. “You know, the cruise thing really sold me. Imagine? Sailing around the world, seeing the sights, enjoying the buffet and the sunsets …”

“I can imagine.” I close my eyes for half a second, seeing myself and Amy peering over the railing of a huge cruise ship, my arms around her waist.

“It would be glorious. And after all the work this has taken, we should get something out of it.” She cocks an eyebrow as she motions between us.

“If anyone does deserve to win this, it’s you.” My eyes soften as I look at her. She deserves every good thing she can get, after all she’s been through and all I've put her through.

“Can I get everyone’s attention?” Mrs. Parker taps her microphone and Pepper’s ears perk up. He turns his head, staring at Mrs. Parker. You can tell how in love he is with her by the way his whole body trembles with happiness.

“It’s time for the final part of the competition. As you all know, there are two runner-ups to the grand finale prize, but in the meantime, don’t be discouraged, because the five winners of this last part will get five couple packages to the town theater. That includes snacks and tickets to a cozy movie.”

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