I always saw her as an unattainable woman I somehow lucked into dating. Now she just seems fake and slightly vapid.
“Yes.” Dec snuggles into my side. “I don’t know what we waited so long for.”
Jen blinks rapidly, and I smirk.
Direct hit.The break-up was a bad one. I thought Jen would be my wife, but she had never been as fully invested. It was an act of rebellion against her parents.
Jen always knew she planned on leaving me for wealthier pastors. Unfortunately, I hadn’t been able to see that.
“Why indeed,” Jennifer drawls, crossing her arms, clearly unamused.
“December,” Mayor Black waves her over.
“Time for me to go to work, darling.” Rising on her tiptoes, she whispers in my ear.
“Don’t let her get to you. She’s not worth it.” Kissing my cheek, she steps away, and I watch her walk, hips swaying.
“I always thought something was going on between you two. Was this going on when we dated?” She crosses her arm over her designer bubble vest with a popular logo.
“What?” My brow wrinkles. “I would never have done that.”
“Please.” She tosses her hair over her shoulder. “There wasn’t room for me when she was always number one in your life.”
“She’s my best friend. You were my girlfriend. There was never a comparison.” I laugh. “And we can see who’s still around.”
“You can’t still believe that, even now.”
“I know that.” I stare her down. She looks away, and I feel a surge of triumph. I’m done avoiding her and rehashing what could’ve been. I’m ready to move on.
“And yet here you are together and looking happier than I’ve ever seen you.”
“I never understood your obsession with her. Even after all this time, you’re still bringing her up as a bone of contention, knowing you were never fully in the relationship.”
“You’re still not listening—”
“No. Because that’s not my job anymore. Thank you, Jen, for showing me what love isn’t. I think we both ended up exactly where we were meant to be. Marriage to you would’ve been hell for us both. I couldn’t see it then, but it’s all too clear now.”
Open-mouthed, she huffs before she spins on her heels.
“Nice talking to you, too.” I stand taller, lighter for closing an old chapter. The men in my family love hard, and she’d been my first serious romance. A year out, my vision is a lot clearer.
“It’s our honor to bring you the tree lighting every year. Because of that, we’re offering fifteen percent off every tree purchased today.”
I love the pride she has in her family’s business. Seeing her hits differently now that I have a claim on her. Even if it’s only temporary.It doesn’t have to be.3-2-1. The countdown pulls me from my musing as the crowd cheers, and Dec flips a switch, turning on the light.
Bathed in the glow of the soft white bulbs, she’s an angel come to life. The veil has lifted, and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to place it back over my eyes. She walks toward me, and my heart swells with pride. I want this, and I’m willing to fight to get it.
CHAPTER2
Dec
Never forget, he doesn’t really belong to you.Paralyzed, I feign normalness as I sit beside E on the gray couch. Self-preservation is a life raft I’m clinging to as I struggle in the sea of emotions our lies have unleashed. Stepping into our new status has been as easy as breathing, which terrifies me. I have to hold back or lose myself in the con.
“We need to talk.” E’s voice drags me from my thoughts.
“About?” I stare at the television, not ready to meet his intense gaze. He’s always had a way of seeing through me.
“Whatever has you so tense? You’ve been quiet and distant for the past day. That’s not like you.” He touches my arm. “Look at me.”