Page 15 of Under the Mistletoe
“More than you love me?”
She stops, spinning to face me, tears in her eyes.
“Don’t do this. Please don’t make me choose again.”
“It shouldn’t be hard, Sydney. It’s not. You either want tobe with me or you don’t.”
“It’s simple for you because you don’t have to give upanything!” she shouts. “You have no idea how hard I worked to get to where Iam.”
“If I let you leave, I’m givingyouup. I’m not doingthat again. I love you. I’ve always loved you. Hell, even Sue knew it. Give usa chance, Syd. That’s all I’m asking.”
“You still love me?”
I pull her into my arms, sliding my fingers into her hairand tipping her face up to mine. “It took you showing up on my doorstep in asnowstorm for me to realize I never stopped.”
“Me, too.” Her lips quiver, tears running down her cheeks.“I love you, Jake.”
“Thenstay.”
She puts distance between us, staring at the floor as shesays, “Please take me home.”
And there it is. I’ve got my answer.
“I’ll wait for you in the truck.”
The ride to her place is quiet, save for the occasional sobor sniffle from her. I’m a fool to think I could have changed her mind. I guessI’m a glutton for punishment. I drop her off, sticking around just long enoughto see her inside. Back at my house, I’m assaulted by her scent in every singleroom. My bed looks big and lonely, but I climb in anyway, breathing her in frommy pillow. No matter how much I love her, it’s time to let her go. It’s time toaccept that the stars in her eyes will always blind her to what’s right infront of her: me.
My phone’s ringtone jerks me awake. I don’t even know whattime it is, but the sun shining in through the window tells me I overslept. Notthat I slept much. I spent the night tossing and turning, thinking of Sydney. Grabbingthe phone, I check the caller ID and see my assistant’s name on the screen.
“Good morning, Julie,” I answer.
“Good morning. Just checking on you.”
“I overslept. I’ll be in soon.”
“No problem. I’ll hold down the fort until you get here.”
“Thanks, Julie.”
I toss the phone aside, heading to the bathroom for a quickshower. A glance in the mirror tells me I look as bad as I feel. We all knowhow the saying goes. I’m a damned fool for letting that woman stomp all over myheart not once, but twice. There won’t be a third time.
While I’m making my coffee, there’s a knock at the door. Iopen it, and there stands Sydney, wringing her hands and giving me a nervoussmile.What the hell is she doing here?
“If you’ve come to say goodbye, don’t bother.”
I try to close the door, but she stops it. “Please… justhear me out?”
“I’m not interested in anything you have to say, Sydney.Just go on back to New York and your fancy job.”
“Two minutes. That’s all I ask.”
Sighing in annoyance, I motion for her to enter.Yup.Glutton for punishment. She walks right to the fireplace, standing in frontof it even though it’s not lit.
“Jake… what you said last night… did you mean it?”
“Which part?” I cross my arms over my chest.
“That you love me and want me to stay.”
