Page 18 of Third Time's the Charm

Just like my mom said, sometimes Berlin and I had entire conversations without saying a word. It had been entirely too long. Maybe since the early days of our marriage.

“I have to go,” she whispered. She didn’t move though.

I could see her pain. The questions she wanted to ask but wouldn’t. But most of all? I could see that she still loved me.

So I kissed her forehead and released her. “You are hereby freed from the mistletoe.”

She staggered backward, right into Doug. “Ooops!”

He barked.

“Sorry, buddy.” Then she scooped up his leash and moved away from me. “Have a nice Christmas, Jack.”

I stood under the spotlight. I watched her leave as a strange sense of peace settled over me.

Berlin still felt this.

Iknewthis wasn’t over. I’d just fucked it up was all. She was smart to get rid of me.

Didn’t mean it had to be permanent.

I was older. Wiser. More determined to win back the woman I knew without a doubt in this world was the only woman for me.

I just had to prove to her that marrying Ryker was a mistake and that she should marrymeinstead.

Third time’s the charm, right?

Chapter 4

I did it on porpoise

Jack

Iwas a selfish asshole, but it had to be done. I knew Berlin still loved me and now she knew it too. There was no denying the power of that kiss.

Was it wrong?

Maybe? Technically? Sure she was engaged to another man, but I was kissing Berlin long before there was any Ryker in our lives. Our love was older, more complicated, it made sense a kiss might happen. Plus it was both of us under that spotlight. We kissedeach other.It’s not like I sneak attacked her.

I was good with pretending there was nothing wrong with what I did until I stumbled into the kitchen for coffee and saw my mother.Shewould tell me it was wrong. Even though she thought we belonged together in the end, she would never condone kissing someone behind their partner’s back.

“Good morning baby boy.” She sipped her cafe con leche as she watered her plants.

“Morning, Ma.”

“Sleep well?”

I stretched, realizing that I felt...good. “Yeah, actually. Must be the island air.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Or having a challenge?”

I found another mug of specially made-with-love coffee waiting for me on the stove. My mom’s cafe con leche is the best. For whatever reason, I could never make it like she could. Trust me, I tried. There’s nothing like it. “What challenge? The game in two days? I’m sure my guys are fine under Andrews.” It was the first time I left the team for a holiday. My assistant coach could handle it. In fact, even if I was there, he’d be handling practice while I paced and strategized.

Instead, I made the unique (for me) move of actually taking a holiday with my family. See? A new man!

“No, baby boy. The challenge of giving love a chance.”

I balked. “Excuse me?”

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