Page 52 of A Holly Brown Christmas
Lucas turned to kiss the top of her head, lingering there for a moment. The music played on, slow and sweet. After a beat, Lucas speaks, quieter now. “I never used to like this time of year. I mean…I did, but I didn’t.”
Holly lifted her head slightly, looking at him.
“It always felt like something I was supposed to love, but I just… didn’t. I looked forward to it because it meant a lighter workload. A break. A time to just relax a bit. It was all about me. Until you.”
She brushed her thumb gently along his jaw. “Lucas…”
“You showed me what the holidays could be. It’s not just about a perfectly decorated house or a pristine, artificial giant tree, and putting out this perfect image that was all just a facade. I never knew how it could be until you.”
She smiled softly and he could tell she was on the verge of crying—not because she was sad, but because she was the kind of woman who cried when she was praised.
“I also never knew there was a right way and a wrong way to decorate a tree,” he said lightly. “Or that it was all about the traditions, no matter how silly they were.”
“Ah…so what you’re saying is…because I brought over an absurd amount of twinkle lights and bullied you into watching all three versions of The Grinch?”
He chuckled. “Exactly.”
Then Holly reached for something behind the couch: a small, neatly wrapped present.
“I know we said no gifts until Christmas,” she said, offering it to him, “but this one couldn’t wait.”
Lucas took it slowly, curious. Inside, there was a framed photo of him and Holly in front of the office tree earlier today, laughing, her hand tangled in his scarf, his eyes completely locked on her.
He swallowed hard, his voice rough with emotion. “How did you even?—?”
“CeeCee took it. She was spying on us because I haven’t told her a whole lot about our relationship,” she grinned. “When she showed it to me, I knew I had to make copies.” She paused again. “Memories.”
Lucas set the frame down and pulled her fully into his lap, his arms wrapping tightly around her. They kissed slowly—no rush, no noise, just the sound of wind against the window and the tree lights buzzing faintly.
The moment stretched on like the quiet night outside—peaceful, warm, and just theirs.
“I think this,” Lucas murmured, “might be my new favorite Christmas tradition.”
Holly smiled against his chest. “Mine too.”
Fourteen
The trees were delivered to the office the following day right after lunch, and Holly asked for a few volunteers to help.
Twenty people showed up in the lobby hoping to get free Starbucks again.
“Um…sorry! No Starbucks today,” she announced. “We just need to put these trees up in all the places Mrs. Brooks usually has them.”
All but three people walked away while murmuring excuses as to why they had to get back to their desks.
“Okay, I thought maybe a few more people would stay, but…”
“Hey! The trees arrived!” Lennon said as he strolled into the lobby. “Awesome!”
Holly, Crystal, and Emma from Human Resources all turned to stare at him. His eyes went a little wide when he realized exactly what they were all thinking.
“I guess you guys need a hand moving these and setting them up, huh?” It wasn’t really a question.
“That would be amazing!” Holly gushed. “I’d ask Lucas, but he’s getting ready to get on a video call with his sisters to discuss this situation with his parents.”
He nodded. “Okay, hang on. Let me grab a couple of interns and get them to help. I’ll be right back.”
As soon as he was out of sight, she heard Crystal hum.
