Chapter Twenty-Seven
Itfeltliketheirlast chance to get things right.
Justin was at his parents’ house with the rest of his family when the message from Felicity dinged on his phone.He raced out of the house so fast he left his family with surprised looks and unanswered questions.He’d fill them in later.
He might have broken a speed limit or two on his way home.It was a good thing for him that the sheriff was still sitting in their parents’ living room, enjoying his second slice of pecan pie.But Parker would understand that it was a special circumstance.
Justin was grateful that Felicity was back in town.When she’d messaged him and apologized for disappearing, she hadn’t mentioned when or if she’d be back.And he didn’t want to pressure her, so he didn’t ask.
When he reached the Evergreen Apartments, he took the steps two at a time.Inside his apartment, he rushed to the closet and pulled out the Christmas presents he’d gotten for Felicity before he’d ruined everything by rushing things.
He arranged the wrapped packages on the coffee table.On top he placed a small black jewelry box with a simple red bow.Then he started to pace.
It was so quiet in there.He’d never noticed that before.He supposed he’d gotten used to sharing the place with Sunny.And for a little pup, she was full of all sorts of noises from whining for breakfast to yipping to go outside.She was definitely vocal.
And he missed her.But giving her back to Merry was for the best.She deserved a loving, attentive family.
Knock-knock.
As he strode to the door, he heard a bark.It sounded just like Sunny.It couldn’t be…
He opened the door to find Felicity standing there with Sunny in her arms.
Felicity was smiling.“Someone missed you.”
Sunny yipped and wiggled until he reached out and took the pup into his arms.While Sunny lathered his face with kisses, he stepped back and ushered Felicity inside.
“Merry Christmas.”She smiled, but her voice wavered ever so slightly, as though she weren’t so certain where things stood between them.
“I didn’t think I was going to see you.”He kept his guard up.He wasn’t going to let her see how happy he was to see her again.
Felicity turned to him.“I’m sorry I ran out on you.I panicked.”
He sighed.“It’s my fault.I shouldn’t have said what I did.I should have waited.I caught you off-guard.”
Her gaze searched his.“Did you mean it?”
“Of course I did.”The admission came tumbling out before he could stop it.Needing to slow things down before he said something else to scare her away, he asked, “How did you get back from New York on Christmas day?”
“I didn’t make it that far.I stayed at a hotel near the airport.I needed time to think.”She paused as though searching for her next words.“I heard from my former employer.It appears Tanner, the guy who got the promotion, set me up to be fired.In the end, he got fired, and they want me back with a big raise.”
Those words were like a punch in the gut.Did she ask to meet him to tell him goodbye?Because if that were the case, this was the worst Christmas ever.
He drew on his willpower and said, “I’m happy for you.You deserved the raise and so much more.”
Her cheeks filled with color.“Thanks.But I didn’t take the job.”
“What?”He wasn’t sure he heard her right.“Of course, you did.That’s what you wanted.”
She shook her head.“It’s what I thought I wanted until you showed me how much life I’ve been missing by spending all of my time working.”
He put the puppy down and stepped up to Felicity.“What are you saying?Are you giving up being an editor?”
She shook her head.“These days I have options.I’m going to stay on at the bookshop while I start my own online editorial business.That way I can make my own hours.”
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips.“That sounds very industrious.And where are you planning to live during all of this?”
“I’m not sure.”
