Nate’s eyes roll in his head and I’m foolishly flattered that he’s been discussing me with his friend.
‘No need to be smug about it.’ Nate signals a passing waiter for another drink.
Jayden dips his head and kisses my cheek.
‘Hate to piss on your bonfire, Nate, but there’s an army of crazed fans swarming the grounds right now. There’s no way you can stay here tonight. We don’t have the security to manage a perimeter this size.’
A heavy sigh whooshes from Nate’s chest. ‘My parents’ house is swarmed. So is Holly’s. There’s no availability anywhere. It’s a disaster.’
Jayden glances at Nate. ‘Come and stay at my brother’s place.’
‘Huxley Castle?’
Huxley Castle is a grand estate on the outskirts of Dublin. I’ve seen it in pictures in glossy magazines, but I had no idea my boyfriend was acquainted with its owners.
‘Chloe’s already there with the kids. Her baby sister, Victoria, is home with her family. It’ll be a crazy Christmas, in the best possible way.’ Jayden raises his eyebrows to Nate, accepting a glass of champagne.
‘The offer is tempting. But have you met Penny Jackson? If I’m in the country for Christmas Day and not at her dinner table, she’ll string me up, drain the blood from my body and stuff me along with the fucking turkey.’ Nate’s tone is jovial, but there’s a weight to his words.
‘I’ve already cleared it with her.’ Jayden licks his lips. ‘You think I don’t know Penny Jackson has a soft spot for me?’
Nate groans and screws his eyes tightly closed. ‘I can’t hack anymore “your mama” jokes.’
Jayden fires a wink in my direction. ‘Nate’s mother has a wet spot for me. Oops, I meant soft spot.’
Laughter presses against my chest at their comfortable banter.
‘For fuck’s sake,’ Nate groans.
‘Your sisters are coming too. There are more rooms at Huxley Castle than Caesar’s Palace. It’ll be a blast, trust me.’ Jayden cocks his head to the side. ‘Besides, Ryan and Sasha are dying to know how filming is going. Ryan wants to check out your physique, make sure you’re doing his character justice in their romance movie.’
Nate turns to me. ‘What do you think?’
The temptation is real, but it’s not that simple. ‘I think Penny Jackson isn’t the only mother who will string you up, bleed you and stuff you if you’re not at her table on Christmas Day.’ I nod towards my mother who’s charging through the crowd towards us like a bull freed from its pen.
Jayden steps in front of us, seemingly used to being Nate’s middleman.
‘Mrs Hazelwood.’ Jayden offers my mother the most charming Hollywood smile, and she halts in her tracks, gawping at him like she’s never seen a man before. ‘I’m Jayden Cooper, Nate’s agent and friend. How would you and Mr Hazelwood like to spend Christmas in an Irish Castle?’
‘Well, I never…’ Her palm rests over her pearls as her eyes rake over Jayden’s athletic body. She turns to me with a raised silver eyebrow. ‘Okay, thank you. We’re in.’
ChapterThirty-Nine
HOLLY
Christmas Day
I wake up in a four-poster bed in a rock star’s luxurious countryside castle. But that isn’t the best Christmas present by far. The best Christmas present is the man propped up on the Egyptian cotton pillow beside me, eyeing me with an expression of pure bliss.
‘Merry Christmas, gorgeous.’ His lips dip to meet mine.
‘Merry Christmas.’ I shimmy closer, pressing my body against his. It’s no coincidence I’m wearing the flimsy crimson nightie again. The same one I wore the first night we met. Nate insisted. Thankfully, he didn’t insist I sing. I think we’ve all had enough of Mariah for one year.
My parents are somewhere in the castle. They arrived yesterday evening, shortly after Christmas Eve mass. I can only imagine what they think of this place. Of Nate and me. But from now on, what they think is their business. I’m no longer making it my priority to seek their approval. Or anyone else’s.
Though one thing my mother would certainly have approved of is the sixteen-foot Christmas tree in the castle lobby. Decorated in ice blue and silver bows and white twinkling lights, it’s classier than any department store tree I’ve ever seen.
We were welcomed with a drinks reception in one of the drawing rooms before being brought to the ballroom for a dinner prepared by Ryan and Sasha’s famous chef.
