When he turned toward the lodge and our eyes met across the parking area, my traitorous heart skipped a beat.
He smiled at me. For a moment, I saw my Kent. The guy that helped me string lights and listened to my stories about Christmas traditions and held my hand under a canopy of stars. The man that had given me countless orgasms before taking any for himself. He was a generous lover. But he was more than just sex. There had been more to him and us.
Whatever crappy deal he’d offered was only part of his story. There was still that man that I fell for mixed in with the bad.
Despite everything that had happened between us, despite the lies and the broken trust and the humiliation, I found myself still wanting him. And I couldn’t stop myself from smiling back.
The moment was shattered when Brom stepped between us, his posture radiating protective fury. “Don’t you dare,” Brom hissed. “That guy is a snake.”
“Brom, I think I hear Stacy calling you.”
“Nice try,” he growled. “Let me handle this.”
He spun around and made it a point to stand in front of me. He was trying to block my view of Kent, but with me on the step above, I could see right over his shoulder. Kent’s eyes were locked on mine. I wasn’t even sure he saw Brom at all.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Brom demanded, crossing his arms over his chest. “Haven’t you done enough damage?”
Kent’s expression shifted, the soft smile disappearing as he registered the hostility emanating from my brother. “I came to talk to Sylvie,” he said. “To explain.”
“Explain what?” Brom cut him off, taking a step closer. “How you lied to her? How you made her look like an idiot in front of our father? How you’re trying to take advantage of our family’s misfortune?”
Each accusation hit its mark. I wasn’t sure if Brom realized it, but every accusation lobbed at Kent was an insult to me. I really didn’t need my bad decisions thrown around to make a point.
I watched Kent’s face tighten with what looked like genuine remorse. But Brom wasn’t finished.
“Or maybe you want to explain how you knew she overcharged you for the tree and you let her think she was being clever? How you played along with her Christmas spirit while you were planning to tear down everything she loves?”
“Brom, your blood pressure,” I said quietly, putting a warning hand on his arm. He was vibrating with anger, and while I understood why, it wasn’t helping anything.
And it was only serving to embarrass me.
“No, Sylvie,” Brom said, his voice rising. “This guy shows up here with his fancy car and his expensive clothes, pretending to be something he’s not, and you fell for it. We all did. But I’ll be damned if I let him hurt you again.”
“I don’t need you to defend me,” I said quietly. “I can do this.”
Brom ignored me.
The sound of the door being thrown open, followed by running footsteps, had us all turn toward the lodge, where Aspen and Alder were hurrying outside. They must have heard the raised voices and come to investigate.
“Kent!” Aspen called out, her face lighting up with genuine pleasure. “You came back! Are you coming to the party? My wreath is the best.”
Alder was right behind her. “No way, Kent,” he said with a wave. “Mine is way better.”
Brom’s expression darkened further as his traitorous children greeted Kent like an old friend. The contrast was stark, Aspen and Alder’s genuine warmth versus their father’s barely controlled fury. For a moment, nobody seemed to know what to say.
Kent dropped to a squat in front of the kids. “Hey, guys. You look like you’ve been busy little elves.”
Aspen giggled. “Mom said we’re messy little elves.”
“Go back inside. Now.” Brom’s command startled all of us. His voice boomed across the parking area.
Kent stood, his smile flipping away.
“But, Dad,” Aspen started.
“Now,” Brom repeated, and the steel in his voice brooked no argument.
Aspen and Alder exchanged confused glances and reluctantly headed back inside. Kent looked genuinely bummed to see them go, like their friendly greeting had meant something to him.
