Page 47 of A Very Merry Mistake

He leans back on the couch, and I twist to face him.

“I’m not intimidated by you.”

“I’ve noticed,” I say. The world feels as if it’s tilting on its axis. Is it the booze, or is it Jake?

“Should I be?” His brow is lifted.

“Yes,” I tell him.

Laughter escapes him again. He finds it so funny that even I start laughing. I lean against the couch, our arms brushing together as he turns and looks at me.

“I’m happy you’re here. I honestly can’t remember the last time I’ve had this much fun.”

I’m smiling, a genuine smile, something I haven’t felt in a long time. “I agree. It’s been nice.”

As our gazes meet, I feel drawn to him. His lips look soft and kissable, and I’m tempted to slide my mouth across his and taste him again. I find my courage, and as soon as I decide to go for it, my phone buzzes on the table, pulling my attention away.

“I think that’s yours,” he says. I almost forgot I turned it on before dinner.

“Yeah.” I walk over to it. When I see the name flash across the screen, my heart drops.

It’s my father.

CHAPTER 12

JAKE

Claire answers, and her tone immediately shifts.

She’s more serious, all business and no bullshit.

I look over my shoulder at her, and she points to my bedroom, then continues the conversation down the hallway. The door snaps shut.

Claire hasn’t acted like that since I picked her up from the side of the road. I’d like to think I’ve broken through her hard shell, but her walls went up fast. I wonder who’s on the phone and what they said to sour her mood. I’d never ask, though. People will share what they want when they’re ready. But I know there’s more to her than what meets the eye.

Twenty minutes later, she sits next to me on the couch. She’s pale, like she just saw a ghost, as she stares at the fire.

“You good?” I can feel her emotionally pulling away. “You want to talk about it? I’m a fantastic listener.”

She sighs, grabbing the moonshine from the table and taking several gulps like she’s trying to erase a memory. “Have you ever wanted to take risks? Against your better judgment?”

I study her as she scoots closer and crawls onto my lap. Then she looks down into my eyes.

“What’re you doin—”

She places her finger over my mouth. “You said you were a great listener.”

I hold her tight, my thumbs digging into her hips as she rocks against me and groans.

“The moonshine,” I whisper, trying to give her an excuse, an out.

She shakes her head. “It’s not that.”

The shared physical attraction is undeniable.

It’s been simmering for the past three days, or has it been four?

Hell, a week?

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