Page 35 of Christmas at Valentine Inn

He smiled, relieved, before leading us into the suite and shutting the door. I was hit with the fresh smells of cucumber, watermelon, and onion.

I knew immediately what was for dinner. “You made sushi and miso soup.”

“I hope you still like it.”

“I’m sure I do, but it’s been twenty years since I’ve eaten it.” I could never bring myself to order it over the years.

Patrick grinned. “I’m happy to hear that.”

I looked around the suite. It was neat and tidy, and the small round table was already set with what I assumed were Patrick’s own dishes and silverware, right down to the gorgeous, pressed glass goblets. While beautiful, I wondered why he didn’t just use the dishes we provided.

“The table looks lovely. Where are your kids?” I squeezed his hand, more than nervous for them to appear.

“They’re playing video games,” he grumbled. “It’s not something I particularly care for, but it’s something they enjoy doing together.”

“That actually sounds like fun.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” He lifted my hand and kissed it. His lips on my skin felt like a homecoming. My body screamed that it was ready to unpack; my mind, not so much.

“I do remember someone once taking me bowling and they just had to show me how good they were at arcade games.”

“That’s different,” he said, amused.

“How so?”

He tugged me a bit closer. “Because I was trying to impress a woman.”

“I was very impressed with the way you could push those buttons and handle a joystick.” I laughed.

He leaned in until we were only inches apart.

I stared at his lips, remembering exactly how they felt when they moved over mine. I longed to keep the promise I’d made to kiss his face off. More than that, I ached to know if his kiss would still tell me things I had never forgotten. If so, would I be brave enough to listen this time?

“I do remember it earning me several tokens of your affection.” From his tone I was sure he wouldn’t mind if I rewarded him with such affection now.

My lips were begging me to remove all the space between us and taste my dreams. Oh, I wanted to, except I thought we should get to know each other. And ... we had company.

Bridgette and Rory walked out.

I dropped Patrick’s hand faster than my heart was racing.

His kiddos came out of Jameson’s old room, both dressed fashionably like they were posing for a J.Crew commercial. I expected nothing less from Patrick and Nina’s offspring. They both stopped in the hall, eyes wide, staring at me.

I felt like I’d committed a crime and was being put on trial. I mean, Iwaslying. And perhaps I was even stealing something from the beautiful humans.

I particularly took note of Bridgette’s body language as she wasn’t thrilled with the situation. She crossed her arms against her chest in a defensive position. Did she feel like she had to protect her father from me, or maybe that she needed to protect herself? All I knew was I could see the fire within her blazing out of her eyes. Yet, I noted her trembling lip, that said she didn’t wish to feel the way she did.

“Yo, it’s Stepmommy dearest,” Rory broke all the tension in the room.

“Rory, I told you not to call Isabelle that,” Patrick warned.

Rory laughed and walked toward the dining table. “You’re the one who said to keep it real.”

Patrick shook his head.

“You can call meIsabelle, orIzzy, if you would like,” I interjected.

Rory grabbed a sushi roll that was set out on the table, downing it in one swallow. I wasn’t even sure he bothered to chew it. “Yeah, sure.”

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