I kiss him, slow and sweet. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Outside, snow is starting to fall again, and tomorrow we'll have Christmas dinner with my family and it might be awkward, but it'll also be different.
Better.
"Best Christmas ever," I whisper.
He pulls the blanket over us both. "Agreed."
And lying there in his arms, in my childhood home, finally feeling defended and cherished and seen—I believe it.
This is what Christmas is supposed to feel like.
6
Claire
January 2nd. First day back in the office after the holidays.
I stand outside Rhodes Capital, staring up at the building where I've worked for fourteen months, and my stomach is doing complicated things.
Everything's different now. Everything's changed.
My phone buzzes.
Garth:Where are you?
Me:Outside. Nervous.
Garth:Don't be. We're doing this together. Come up.
I take a breath of cold Chicago air that smells like exhaust and that particular winter city smell, and head inside.
The lobby is the same. The elevator is the same. But when I step onto our floor, I can feel eyes on me immediately.
Of course they know. We spent three days in Detroit together over Christmas, and I'm sure someone saw us at the airport. This office runs on gossip.
"Claire!" Mary from accounting practically materializes next to me. "Oh my God, is it true? You and Mr. Rhodes?"
"I—"
"Because Jen from legal said she saw you two at O'Hare and you were definitely holding hands, and—"
"Mary." Garth's voice cuts through her rambling. He's standing in his office doorway, looking effortlessly composed in a charcoal suit. "Ms. Abbott, could I see you in my office please?"
I follow him inside and he closes the door. Through the glass walls, I can see half the office watching.
"So much for subtle," I murmur.
"Fuck subtle." He pulls me into a kiss that's definitely not appropriate for the office. "Good morning."
"Good morning." I'm breathless when he releases me. "Everyone's staring."
"Let them stare." He straightens my collar, which he just messed up. "I called an all-hands meeting for nine. We're telling everyone together."
"Garth?"
