“I don’t think so,” he says, feigning innocence.Then he leans down and kisses the tip of my nose.
I freeze, stunned by the unexpected gesture.In six years, Alexander has never been anything but professional.The most physical contact we’d had before yesterday was an occasional handshake.And now he’s kissing my nose like we’re...like we’re...
I open my mouth to tell him exactly what I think of his performance, but he murmurs, “You have neighbors watching,” his breath warm against my skin.“You should kiss me back.”
Glancing sideways, I see Mrs.Jenkins checking the garland on her front porch across the street, not even pretending not to stare.I give Alexander a quick, chaste peck on the lips.
“Don’t be stingy,” he chastises, a half-smile playing on his lips despite the challenge in his gray eyes.
Something defiant flares in me.Before I can overthink it, I slide my hand to the back of his neck and pull his mouth down to mine.I kiss him properly—the kind of kiss that would convince anyone we’re madly in love.
It’s meant to be for show, but the moment his arms tighten around me, drawing me closer, something shifts.His kiss is like nothing I’ve ever experienced—confident, possessive, and so thoroughly consuming that I forget where we are.Forget that this is pretend.Forget my own name.
When he finally pulls away, my head is spinning, and my legs feel unsteady beneath me.He laughs, the sound low and satisfied against my ear.
“Go inside,” he whispers.“I’ll bring the luggage.”
It takes a second for my legs to feel less wobbly.Then I turn around and run inside, joining my mother in the kitchen, my face burning.From where I stand, I hear the low rumble of my father’s voice in the foyer, helping Alexander with our luggage.I press my hands against my cheeks, willing the blush to subside before anyone notices.
Mom is clearing Dad’s breakfast dishes from the table.She looks up when I enter, her face lighting up before returning to her tidying.
The kitchen is exactly as I remember it—warm and lived-in.White cabinets with glass fronts displaying my mother’s collection of blue and white dishes.The oak table dominating the center of the room, surrounded by six mismatched chairs that somehow work together.A string of tiny white lights frames the window over the sink, and a small ceramic Christmas tree sits on the counter, the same one we’ve had since I was a child.
Family photos cover one wall—school pictures, vacation snapshots, and candid moments captured over the years.I spot one of me at graduation, another of Sophie missing her front teeth.My eyes catch on a photo of Chase and me from high school prom that somehow hasn’t been taken down.
I walk over and pick it up, studying our younger selves.My hair was longer then, my smile wider and more innocent.Chase has his arm around my waist, looking exactly like what he was—the hometown golden boy who had it all figured out.
Mom notices me holding the frame.She pauses with dishes in hand, a flash of worry crossing her face.“I meant to put that away before you arrived,” she says quietly.“I just forgot.”
“It’s okay,” I say, setting it face-down on the shelf.“It feels like it belongs to someone else’s life now.”
Mom sets the dishes in the sink and comes over to me, wiping her hands on her apron.“I’m so happy for you, honey,” she says, pulling me into a quick hug.“I can tell Alexander adores you.”
I pull out one of the kitchen chairs and sit down.“He’s wonderful,” I say, trying not to sound as awkward as I feel.“How has everyone been here?”I add quickly, eager to change the subject.
Mom wipes her hands on her apron and sits down next to me at the kitchen table.“Everyone’s doing great,” she says with a smile.“We’ve all missed you so much.”But there’s something in her expression that doesn’t match her cheerful words.
“Mom, what’s wrong?”I ask.
Her shoulders drop slightly.“Nothing’s wrong, exactly.I’m happy you came, sweetheart.But a part of me has been wishing you didn’t.”
“What do you mean?”I blink at her, confused.“You’re the one who kept insisting I come.”
Mom takes my hands in hers, and I notice new lines around her eyes that weren’t there last Christmas.
“Chase and Amber are getting engaged soon.”She says it gently, watching my face.“I know you would rather have skipped out this year, but I wanted you to come.It’s not fair you would have to miss Christmas with your family just to avoid people who hurt you.But I’m worried for you as well.Amber’s parents—your aunt and uncle—they’ve been pressuring your father and me to tell you to come home for Christmas.”
I can imagine exactly why.Amber would want me here to witness her triumph, to rub her engagement in my face.She’s always been competitive with me, from grade school spelling bees to high school cheerleading tryouts.Now she’s won the ultimate prize—the hometown boy I left behind.
Mom searches my face, looking for signs of devastation.I bury the small pang of hurt deep inside and smile softly.“Like Dad said, I outgrew Chase years ago.”I squeeze her hands.“How could I possibly be upset when I have someone as incredible as Alexander?”
She returns the smile, relief evident in her eyes.“You really love him, don’t you?”
I try not to hesitate.“Yes.”
“I’m happy for you, sweetheart.But...”She lowers her voice before continuing; “he’s your boss.There’s a power imbalance there.Do you trust him?”
The question makes me chuckle, surprising both of us.“There is no one I trust more than Alexander.”I add quickly, “You and Dad not counting, of course.”
