Page 53 of Nice Guys Don't Kiss Like That At Christmas
A few seconds later:
Kellan
And by "come" I mean exactly what you think I mean.And the aaaaaaaaAdam, too.You know what I mean, right, A.?Or do I need to draw you a picture?
Before I can tell my brother exactly where to shove his questions, another text pops up.
From Mom.
Shit.
Mom
What exactly are you two talking about?
My whole body locks up.
Kellan
Oops.Wrong chat.
Mom
Adam, sweetheart, I don't need details, but if you've finally stopped pining...your father and I fully support you.Also, cinnamon rolls if you want to bring her by.
Me
We're having breakfast at the B&B.Goodbye everyone.
I drag a hand down my face as Kellan responds with three cry-laughing emojis because he’s an actual twelve-year-old trapped in a grown man’s body.
The phone goes in my pocket.Deep in my pocket.Where if I’m lucky, I can pretend this entire conversation never happened.
At least until Mom starts texting Eve directly.
Which, knowing her, it will happen.
Fuck.
My gaze drifts to my half-packed duffel bag, where the corner of the college acceptance letter peeks out between veterinary textbooks.And in there, too, the contract for the vet office I’m taking over.
The pit in my stomach deepens every time I think about it.The position is everything I’ve wanted professionally.I’ve seen her tense up at the mere mention of going back to the Cape.Last night, when she murmured in her sleep—something about “not going back there”—I almost tore up the contract.Almost.
I can’t.I won’t.
Now, with this careful distance between us, it’s even more challenging to tell her.
When Eve’s phone buzzes, she glances at the screen, and that familiar tightening around her eyes tells me whatever she saw is bothering her.
“Bad news?”I keep my voice casual.
She locks her screen quickly.“Chuck.He’s getting engaged, apparently.”
“And he’s telling you because...?”
“Because he’s an ass.”She sighs.“He sent a picture of his grandmother’s ring.The one he told me was ‘too meaningful’ for someone as cold as me.Said he wanted to give me a heads up since today might be difficult for me.First day back at work after my suspension.No idea how he found that out.”She clears her throat.“And it’s also our wedding anniversary.Perfect timing, as always.”
I bite back at least five comments that would definitely cross a line.“Sounds like a real winner.”
