Page 62 of The Mistletoe Mix-up

“I love being with you, Sam,” she said, reaching for him. “That was something I hadn’t banked on when I came back. Wanting you.”

Her honesty hit him right in the stomach, sending a painful burst of butterflies beating their wings inside his rib cage. As much as he loved hearing that she wanted him, Sam didn’t see being her fuck buddy as a sustainable position.

“And the traditional route of meeting someone, falling in love, getting married, and then having kids is out of the question?” She shot him a dark look, and he held his hands up. “I’m just asking.”

Wren sighed heavily, stopping next to a bushy tree with her shoulders slumped forward. “I watched my parents argue over every decision for six years. Every birthday or sport or school activity could put them at each other’s throats. They were miserable together, so I understand my mom leaving. What has torn me up is my mother couldn’t be bothered to take any of her kids with her. She left all of us and never bothered to make a phone call or send a birthday card. When I went to see her after I graduated, I thought there would be a moment where we fell into each other’s arms and cried. Instead, she had told me what a relief it had been to not have to be a wife and mother anymore.” Sam watched her eyes shimmer as she stared into the branches, lost in the painful memory. “As I sat across from her on those cream couches, with the art on the walls and the perfectly posed pictures of her with her boyfriend on the mantel above the fireplace, something broke inside of me. I realized that her relationship with my dad poisoned her relationship with us.” Wren met his gaze through the green branches, her jaw locked with tension. “I don’t ever want to resent my child because her father and I couldn’t work it out.”

“You’re not your mother, Birdy,” Sam said, taking a step closer to wipe a tear from her cheek. “You already know what she did was wrong. That your parents both made mistakes. While I think your dad is wrong in so many instances, he is the one who stuck around. Not being wanted by your mother has nothing to do with you or your dad; it has everything to do with her.”

“How can you say that? People don’t just have four kids and wake up one day done with their lives. They don’t suddenly decide to stop being a parent.” Her voice softened as his arms gingerly went around her, bringing her against him. Her dog let out a low growl, and Sam hesitated.

She didn’t fight or try to push away. Instead, she softly said, “Down,” and rested her cheek against his chest. She wrapped her arms around his waist, mumbling against his shirtfront, “It has to be something more than that.”

“I can’t answer that. I’m going to go out on a limb, though, and tell you that her decision is why you’re so strong. So sure of yourself and what you think is best for you. All qualities that are incredibly admirable.”

Wren looked up at him with her chin on his chest, smile trembling. “You think so, huh?”

“Obviously. Women who speak their minds and are independent are superhot.” Sam was keeping it light and flirty, when what he wanted to say was that she was incredible. That she was special.

“See, now I feel like you’re buttering me up for something.”

“No, I respect the fact that you don’t want anything more between us, and I’m being a supportive friend.” Sam pulled back, meeting her eye. “I’m willing to stay within your boundaries if I still get to spend time with you. Whatever you need.”

“So, you are willing to just be in a situationship with me and not ask for anything more if that’s what I want?”

“That’s what I’m saying, yeah.”

Wren smiled brilliantly, backing out of his embrace. “I’ll keep that in mind. Come, Duke. We still need to find a tree.”

Sam stood back, watching her and the big dog walk away.

“You do that,” he said, grinning as he trailed behind the pair. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

Chapter Nineteen

Sam had no idea how he’d ended up shadowing a group of drunk men on a Tuesday night, listening to them butcher an alternative classic. When he’d agreed to meet up for a guys’ night, he hadn’t expected it to be a roundtable talk on how Clark’s friend Anthony could get his girl back. After listening to some of their suggestions, he wondered how any of them had ended up married or with girlfriends.

“Follow me!” Anthony called, like a general commanding an army. “To victory!”

Whoever decided traipsing four miles across town to serenade Anthony’s girl was a fucking idiot. There were at least five inches of snow on the ground, and the temperature had dropped since they started walking. Sam pulled his winter coat closer to keep the warmth in as he watched Pike Sutton skip along with the others, laughing loudly. Although he liked the guy, he could be annoying.

The group slowed down, and suddenly, Pike fell into step with Sam. Anthony, Nick, and Clark were practicing the song ahead of them while Declan typed on his phone. Maybe giving Holly a heads-up they were on their way?

“I’m surprised you’re coming along on this little adventure,” Pike said.

Sam shrugged. “I’ve got nothing better to do tonight.” It was true. Although he’d helped Wren pick out a tree and they’d agreed to talk, besides a handful of texts, their communication had been sporadic.

“Really? I’d think you’d be out with whichever woman caught your eye this week.”

The balls on this guy.

“Why do you act like I’m some lady-killer when you’ve got a reputation yourself?” Sam asked, his voice gruff with irritation.

Pike’s eyes widened in obvious surprise, and he spluttered, “What? I’m not judging you.”

“Sure feels like it.” Sam shoved his hands into his pockets to hide his fists, which were white-knuckle clenched. “Every time you open your mouth, you’ve got something smart to say, usually directed at me.”

“Sam, honestly, I was just messing with you.”