Page 71 of Bad Boy Bachelor Christmas
The truth had been evasive for the last week. I knew I had deep feelings for him, and I knew they continued to grow every time I was with him, but it was undeniable now.
This feeling?
This overwhelming, jaw-aching, chest-tightening, heart-pounding, stomach-fluttering, thought-consuming jumble of sensations?
It was love. It had to be.
Should I tell him before I go home?
Will he resent me for leaving him on that note? Will he offer to make this work long distance? Will he make plans to come see me in the new year? Will he invite me to spend my first long weekend from school back here at the estate?
Am I worth the effort?
Groaning, I tipped my head back against the sofa and closed my eyes. “Get it together, Winter. You’re embarrassing yourself.”
Just then, a knock came at the door.
I yelped, sloshed hot tea over the edge of my mug onto my lap, and cursed as it burned and simultaneously made it look like I’d peed myself. Grumbling, I peeled the now wet blanket off my lap and went to the door.
North stood on the porch, hands in his pockets, nose frost-red.
“Hey,” I said, pulling the door open wide. “I was just thinking about you.”
He moved inside. “Hey.”
“Don’t mind me.” I gestured down at my wet leggings. “I just spilled tea on myself. I did not pee my pants,” I added with a self-conscious giggle.
He looked around, eyes lingering on the tree for a moment. “Right.”
His mind wasn’t here.
It was somewhere else.
My stomach dropped. “Why are you here?”
His gaze slid back to me. “We… we need to talk, Winter. Can we sit?”
Oh no.
Eyeing the sofa, I stayed where I was. “Do we have to?”
He moved to the sofa, took off his jacket, and sat. “Not if you don’t want to.”
I crossed my arms and shook my head. No, I didn’t want to.
North took a breath like he was bracing himself, and my mind raced ahead of the current timeline, filling in all the blanks he was about to. We were over. This was done. It was fun while it lasted, but it’s just not tangible. Thanks for the month. And your hard work. You were great. It’s not you, it’s me. I’m not ready for this. Can we end on a good note?
My eyes stung as tears threatened to build, and I cleared my throat and shook my head.Hold it together. You can’t start crying before he even says a word.
North met my gaze. “I’ve been thinking.”
“Yes?”
“It’s senseless for you to stay until the end of the week. I’ve arranged for a car to pick you up tomorrow morning and take you to the airport. You can have extra time with your family before the holidays. I can handle the rest of the events here on my own.”
His words hit me like a punch to the chest. I breathed through the pain.
“Tomorrow? That’s… that’s… so soon.”
