***
Sebastian
It’s been a good day. Tonight will be even better, working side by side with Sophie. I thread another cranberry and three pieces of popcorn onto the thread, rather pleased with myself. The garland's taking shape, reminding me of Christmases past.
Drake and I used to sit for hours making popcorn garlands, racing to see who could make the longest chain or finish first. Competition’s always been the center of gravity between us until recently. Drake’s mellowed in the last year, while I’m still trying to one-up him and prove I’m just as good as he is, if not better.
I thread more popcorn onto the needle and pop a few buttered pieces into my mouth.
Come to think of it, Drake's entire demeanor changed around the time he met Hope. He's laid back, less stressed, and more carefree. Drake didn't bat an eye when Nana retired and handed Fudgeballs over to me. The business has never been a point of contention between us. He's been supportive every step of the way. Maybe this holiday season is about more than giving. Perhaps it's time to start letting go of past grudges.
The bedroom door creaks open down the hall. Sophie's bare feet pad across the carpet and renewed excitement stirs in my veins. She stalls in the hall doorway with her sexy Santa outfit clutched to her chest. Her brow furrows as she nibbles on her lower lip. My stomach plummets, sensing things aren't what they were only minutes ago.
“Are you Drake Jenkin’s brother or cousin?” Her lips flatline as she stares at me blankly.
I jump to my feet, stricken with worry and dread. I knock into a bowl as I stumble toward her, sending popcorn flying across the floor. She takes a step back when I reach for her. My hand falls to my side, defeated.
My worst nightmare has come true. I’ve fallen for one of Drake’s exes, and he probably broke her heart. I fist my hands, clenching them at my sides. I’m angrier that he hurt her than anything else. At least I can be the one to put the pieces back together.If.There’s always a big if. My stomach knots. When something’s too good to be true, it usually is.
“Drake’s my older brother.” I resist reaching for her again, though my fingers itch to take any scars she carries.
She blinks rapidly and looks away. She lifts her chin and dabs a finger to the corner of her eye. My mind spins a mile a minute, trying to figure out how bad things can be. Drake’s not a monster.
“Are you playing games with me, Sebastian?” She fingers the oversized sweatshirt, pinching at the fabric nervously. “Is this some ploy to make a run for his bachelor of the year title?”
“What are you talking about? I thought we were having fun.” I’m flummoxed. How could things be great one minute and not the next? Drake’s no part of what’s between us. “ At least, I was having fun with you.”
“That’s the problem, Sebastian. I don’t have time for fun. I don’t have time for all this...” She gestures in the direction of the sofa and spilled popcorn. “...For decorating, spending time with you, and...and...feeling things.”
“Feeling what kind of things, Sophie?” I slow the pacing of my words, controlling the anxious pang that splinters across my chest.
“Festive–y things.” She rolls her eyes as she pinches her lips into an emphatic knot.
"You don't like feeling festive? Or you don't like feeling festive with me?" I draw the words out slowly, trying to get a grip on the dread weighing down my heart. She's secured a special place there, and I'm not about to let her go without a fight.
“Are you following in Drake’s footsteps, dating your way to bachelor of the year? Cause I’m not the girl for that.”
My heart palpitates, and a rush of heat splices through my center. She hasn’t a clue what she’s talking about. Every emotion in the spectrum washes over me. Anger, pain, annoyance, guilt, and fear of losing due to something I can’t control.
“You’ve got it all wrong, Sophie.” I run a hand through my hair. “I don’t want Drake’s title. Hell, Drake hated that title. He couldn’t shed it fast enough.”
She bites her lower lip, and a trickle of wetness slides over her cheek. I brush it away with my thumb. This time, she doesn’t pull away.
“But all the rumors–” Her lip quivers. “All the women.”
"People talk too much." I brush my fingers through her hair and down her arm. She loosens the firm hold on her Santa costume and lifts her chin. Her watery eyes tug at my heart to the point of pain. "I've compared myself to my brother my entire life, but his bachelor of the year title is a set of shoes I never wanted to fill. My heart's set on one girl."
“Only one?”
I wrap my arm around her waist and tug her closer. She places a palm on my chest above my racing heart. It's gentle and welcoming, and I thank my lucky stars she isn't pushing me away.
“Only you, if you’re stillnot currently opposedto dating.”
Her lips crack into a sheepish grin. “I said that, didn't I?" Her eyes flutter to my lips, and I can only think about tasting her again. "I think I mentioned something about beingactive, too.”
Oh, hell. Yes, she did.