Page 72 of Holly versus Mr. Ivy
She shrugged. “Lots of stuff. When I was little, we’d go sledding, make gingerbread houses, bake cookies, attend the Lampton festival, go caroling, do a service project, and drive around looking at lights.”
“So basically nothing,” I teased.
She grinned. “Yeah.”
I took a bite of pie. “We did a lot of those things as well. What was your favorite?”
“All of it.”
I chuckled. “That really narrows it down.” How would I plan future outings with her if I didn’t know what she preferred?
“It wasn’t really Christmas without each of those activities. It was the whirlwind of being busy and celebrating for a month straight that made it special. We haven’t done most of those things since Trevor and I grew up, though. What about you?”
Hands down, the town festival. It was held the weekend of Thanksgiving every year. The smells, sights, and sounds came together to make the quintessential Christmas experience. The one year I missed it in college had made the rest of December feel weird, like I was missing a piece of myself. Or like the time we went to the Bahamas for the holidays. It never felt like Christmas at the beach. Growing up with snow instead of sand made it weird to be on a tropical island during the holidays. “The Lampton Festival is my favorite. It kicks off the mood for the season, which is why I asked you to go with me.”
Her brows furrowed. “Wouldn’t you like to go with your parents?”
I scooped another bite of pie for Holly, holding it up to her mouth.
“They won’t be home from the cruise yet,” I explained. “Besides, now that I’m grown, my parents don’t go out of their way like they used to when it comes to Christmas activities. I’m lucky we get together on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.”
Holly swallowed and harrumphed. “That’s kind of sad. Adults can love Christmas just as much as kids.”
“I know, but it’s not the same as when you’re little. Some of the excitement wears off the older you get. Don’t get me wrong, I still love it and try to capture as much magic of the season as I can, but it’s different when there are credit card bills attached to the festivities. And you’re the one creating the fun, not Santa.”
Holly snorted. “You’re telling me Santa doesn’t have deep enough pockets for you?”
I pushed her shoulder. “Stop. You know what I mean.”
“I do. And you’re right. It is different as an adult.”
Waiting until Saturday proved too difficult when I had Holly all to myself at the moment.Please let her want the same thing I do.“Maybe this season could be the best one yet for another reason.” I twisted my fork between my fingers. “Like capturing the magic with you.”
Holly’s cheeks turned from cream to cotton-candy pink to tomato red. She boldly met my gaze. “You…you want to do that with me?” she stuttered.
I nodded, staring into her blue eyes, the same shade as the ocean in Greece.
Her brow furrowed, and she studied me. “Before I say anything one way or another, I need to know why. We haven’t been on the best of terms since the employee party. And you’ve never told me what exactly happened after I left the meeting with Anthony. Now all of a sudden, you’re flirting, touching me, and wanting to be together. I think I need some answers.”
I rubbed the side of my neck. I did owe her an explanation, although it was the last thing I wanted to talk about. But if we were going to be partners, I had to open up and tell her everything. “I was attracted to you from the moment I laid eyes on you. But I pushed it away because I’d vowed to stay single the rest of my life. As we spent time together, my feelings for you deepened. I think our almost-kiss and seeing you interact and laugh with the employees at the company party made me realize I really liked you and wanted to do something about it.
“Except Darby had contacted my uncle, and when he came to see us, his warning made me realize it wasn’t worth risking either of our jobs. So I threw up a barrier and tried my best to ignore you. Then Jack came to see me, and I realized a connection like ours doesn’t come around often. What I feel for you is different from what I’ve felt with any woman. I couldn’t wait any longer. I had to tell you that I wanted to date you. I know we’ll have obstacles in our way, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to see if we have a future together.”
Holly stared at the table, processing my words. “And what if I say yes?” she croaked. “That I want that too? Because I’m pretty sure I fell for you the night you stood up for Jessica.”
I grinned. Despite the fool I’d be for chasing after a woman who didn’t know my full history and the risk we were taking with our jobs, I’d be one lucky man. “Then I think we’d be in for the perfect December.”
Holly’s breath hitched. Her brows drew together and her upper teeth dug into her bottom lip. I longed to replace her teeth with mine. A longing I’d fought all day.
“How do we keep others from finding out?” Holly asked. “I can’t lose my job. My salary is the only thing keeping a roof over our heads.”
Reaching over, I set my hand on her knee. “We have a few ways to proceed forward. Option A is to spend time together as friends,”—I removed my hand from her leg—“and Option B is to wait until I start my own business, and forget about a December to remember.”
I smirked at my rhyme.
Holly rolled her eyes.
“Option C,” I continued, “is to set rules in place. Like no hand holding, kissing, or anything couple-like in public, but when we’re alone…” I trailed my finger along her jaw, loving how velvety her skin was under mine. Her eyelids fluttered under my caress. “We don’t hold back.”
