Page 24 of Sexy Claus
She tried to tug her hand free when they finally emerged from the crowd and grumbled when he didn’t release her. “Where are we going?”
“To the nurse’s office.” Dodging an elf carrying a box, he narrowed the space between him and his make-believe better half.
“I don’t need medical attention.”
“No, but we need a quiet place with no chance of interruption so we can have a serious discussion that should’ve happened a long time ago.” A sign for his destination pointed to the right, amplifying the nervous tension in his neck and shoulders. This would be his do-or-die moment.
She didn’t drag her feet or argue that they had nothing to talk about, which were both positive signs.
The key the school secretary had loaned him slid into the lock with no resistance, saving him from having to text her for assistance getting into the room right outside the main office. He flipped on the light, gestured to the empty chair, and closed the door behind them. “Let’s sit.”
Although she didn’t look terribly pleased to be trapped in the tight space with him, she settled into the seat and calmly folded her hands in her lap. Her white knuckles betrayed her calm exterior.
He moved his street clothes from the second chair to the counter and turned his seat to face hers. As much as he needed to pace, he sat instead. “I still love you, Christy. For a while, I was so hurt I thought I hated you, but I couldn’t help it. No matter how hard I tried to wish the feeling away, it was always there. I gave up fighting it after a while and resigned myself to being alone for the rest of my life and focused on being a good father. Do you still love me?”
She stared at him without blinking for what seemed like a full minute. “My feelings for you are irrel—”
“No, they aren’t.” Despite wanting to vent about her worthless father’s influence on her self-image, he swallowed the harsh rant that wouldn’t make any difference since the jackass was dead. “Your feelings matter to me.”
Her hands clenched tighter, making him yearn to wrap them in his. “Fine. Yes, but—”
“No buts.” His heart sang with the knowledge that she hadn’t lost the intense connection he struggled with twenty-seven years later. “We’re taking this one step at a time. Okay?”
She nodded, even though she looked like she wanted to be anywhere but here.
Relieved to have her cooperation, he sorted through his jumbled thoughts. “Will you consider staying? I know Creekside has a lot of painful memories for you. We made so many good ones, though. Our friendship. All the things we did together. Falling in love. I want to make new memories with you, like loving you last night and kissing you under the mistletoe just now.”
“But…” Tears shone in her eyes, and they were like a punch to his solar plexus. “The day I left… It was all a lie. I found a legal document, two letters, and a picture by accident when I was looking for a book in my father’s bedroom. My mother didn’t die in childbirth. She signed away her parental rights and gave him full custody of me. My grandparents forced him to keep me when he wanted to turn me over to the state. Then they grudgingly let me stay at their house over winter break every year. None of them wanted me. How was I supposed to stay here?”
“Son of a bitch.” Rage coursed through him, even as he hauled her into his arms and wrapped himself around her, wishing he’d been able to protect her. He’d known her family situation wasn’t anything like his, but he hadn’t realized how shitty it was until her revelation. “I’m so damn sorry. They didn’t deserve to know you. If you stay with me, I promise you’ll never question if you’re wanted. Not another second for as long as you live. I love you and I’ve always wanted you. Please stay. Be part of my family. Will you marry me, Christy?”
She buried her face in his chest. Quiet sobs shook her shoulders and ripped his soul to shreds. At least she wasn’t pushing him away anymore.
He tightened his hold on her and rubbed her back in slow circles, hoping like hell he was providing her some comfort. “I’m here. No matter what you decide, I’m here for you.”
His phone buzzed in his pocket, but he refused to let the outside world intrude on this breakthrough moment. She needed his full attention, and he gave it willingly.
Several minutes passed before the heartrending weeping tapered off, her intermittent tears now accompanied by an occasional shuddering breath and sniffle. “I’m sorry.”
The heartache he’d endured for years returned with the softly spoken words.
It’s too much to ask of her.
How could he expect her to stay in a town associated with that much trauma?
He kissed her forehead, determined to set aside his disappointment and support her. Talking or guilting her into moving back to Creekside permanently would eventually backfire and she would leave again. “You have nothing to apologize for. Do you need a drink of water? There’s probably a box of tissues around here somewhere too.”
She clung to him, throwing him off-balance when he would’ve tried to stand and shift her to his chair. “I let you down the one time you really needed me. You were my best friend, and I ran away instead of helping you and trusting you to help me. I can never make up for that.”
Had her apology been for what had happened when they were eighteen and not equipped to handle the horrors of a parent with cancer and another who’d failed his flesh and blood every day of her life?
If he had only a miniscule chance with her, he would seize it. What other choice did he have? “There were extenuating circumstances. For both of us. We can’t change the past, but we can overcome it and right the real wrong. We deserve to be happy. Together.”
The glasses did nothing to hide her red-rimmed eyes, a testament to how deeply she’d been hurt. In spite of her pain, the palpable emotion that glowed there made his pulse race and gave him hope. “I love you. How soon can we get married?”
EPILOGUE
Ring.Marriage license. Bride.