My sisters were better at hiding their interest, but even Bailey kept glancing between us like she was cataloging every detail for later. I’m sure they’ll badger Monroe for the truth, and I won’t blame her if she tells them.
By the time everyone gathers in the living room for presents, I know I have one shot to make this relationship look convincing enough to quiet the doubters. To convince the only woman it matters to make believe this is more than a trick.
Monroe repositions herself on the couch beside me, a throw blanket draped over her legs, and her hair spilling over her shoulder. She looks relaxed to anyone else, but I’ve learned to spot the differences in her moods. Right now, she’s bracing for what’s coming.
My hand sits on her thigh as I trace circles with my thumb to calm her, but the look she gives me and the way I can feel her body react do quite the opposite.
Monty passes around his gifts first, the room filling with the sounds of tearing paper and polite thank yous as he gives all of his siblings a new pair of cowboy boots and matching hats. Each one fits the personality of each Bishop, their last name engraved into the leather, although the one thing they inherited from their father, it binds them together.
I wouldn’t ever outright ask Beau, but I assume he’ll never take the King name because being a Bishop is all he’s ever known.
The rest of the gifts are passed out, each one more meaningful than the next, but I tune it all out as I eagerly await my turn.
“This one’s for you,” I say, pulling a small box from inside my pocket and setting it in her lap.
She blinks up at me in confusion, thinking this wasn’t part of the plan, but it’s my plan. I want not only to surprise her, but to make sure that she understands what this really means to me. “You didn’t have to?—”
“I wanted to,” I say, interrupting her. I can feel her body grow stiff beside me as she swallows back the lump in her throat.
Thin, delicate fingers hesitate on the ribbon before she unties it, lifting the lid. Inside is a silver locket on a thin chain. It’s nothing flashy, but etched with a tiny, intricate pattern and the word Bear engraved inside.
She lets out a sharp gasp as she traces the etching with her thumb, and for a second, I can see every wall she’s built tremble. The emotion she shows is more than I expected, and my heart thrums in response.
“Jase,” she whispers, her eyes filling with tears.
I shrug, like it isn’t a big deal, even though my pulse is vibrating in my chest. “It’s meant for a photo of our little bear. Thought you might want that.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see Monty’s gaze flick to Nash, then Beau and Theo. A quick, silent exchange that gives nothing away but confirms their suspicions.
Leave it to me to fall for a woman with four overprotective brothers. Bailey’s lips curve into a smile from across the room, and I know for a fact this is selling it. Even if it isn’t meant as another act, I know there is no doubt about this being real.
Monroe closes the locket gently, looking at me like she’s searching for a reason I’ve done this. I know in her mind she must think it’s all part of the game, but a part of her wants to believe it’s real.
“Thank you,” she murmurs, her voice cracking slightly before she clears her throat.
“You’re welcome.” I lean forward and place a tender kiss on her cheek, whispering in her ear. “I’m grateful for second chances.”
Her eyes widen slightly, and I lean back before she can ask what I mean.
The festivities continue for a few more hours as Billie breaks out her favorite pastime, the karaoke machine, but all I feel is the weight of Monroe’s gaze on me. The way she watches me gives me hope that maybe this is working.
As we get ready to leave for the day, I drape Monroe’s coat over her shoulders. “For what it’s worth, I think today went pretty well.”
“Yeah. Me too.”
I think about the laughter over brunch, the small moments where the tension loosened, the way she didn’t flinch away when my hand lingered at the small of her back. The way her eyes burned with desire when I touched her skin. We stand silent for a while, under the string of lights hung in the foyer. Things were supposed to be easier, but it’s getting harder and harder to remember what’s real and what’s not.
“Mistletoe,” Bailey calls out as she joins us. Monroe and I look up, and sure enough, there’s a bunch of mistletoe hanging on the ceiling above us. “You know what to do.”
My gaze shifts down to Monroe at the same time she takes her bottom lip between her teeth. She’s nervous. We’ve done this before, but this time it feels different. Leaning forward, I’m careful to move slowly so she doesn't pull away. Instead surprises me when she closes the distance between us.
Her arms wrap around my neck as her lips reach up to meet mine. The kiss is soft and gentle until my hand wraps around her middle, and I pull her in closer, deepening the kiss and loving the way her body melts into mine. Our tongues dance,her breathing falls into a slow and steady pace, and her fingers tangle in my hair.
Someone clears their throat, and she instantly pulls away, completely flustered. Her cheeks are pink, her lips red from the kiss, and in her eyes I can see the desire she felt as our lips touched.
Without explanation, Bailey and Billie whisk Monroe away as I step out onto the porch for some air. The door creaks open behind me, and I already know who it is.
“You needed to step outside for a second, did you?” Monty asks, and I know he just witnessed what happened. Nash and Beau follow behind him, the porch door slamming as they join us.
“We’re trying to give you the benefit of the doubt, Jase,” my best friend says, and that’s rich coming from him.
