Holiday Second Chance Romance (Clarice and Trevor) novel Chapter 17

17 Do I Know You

Clarice POV

Nick insisted that he make me breakfast before I headed back to Chrissy’s to get dressed for the day. The worst and best part was him standing in front of the stove with just his pajama bottoms. on. I definitely needed a very cold shower. I just finished showering, intending to get dressed when my phone rings. I smile when I see mom flash on the screen. “Hi mom,” I says. “Hi sweetheart. How are you feeling? Are you having any morning sickness?” “Not really, I just can’t smell bacon.” She chuckles and I smile. “Clarice, Trevor knows you are in Colorado,” she says.

My smile fades. “We didn’t tell him, Clarice. Apparently, that b**ch, Loretta, has a cousin who is a Pl. He was able to tell the conniving witch that you took a flight to Colorado. He couldn’t tell him anything else, since you haven’t used your credit cards. Thomas was able to stop him from coming until Saturday, but he’ll be on the first flight despite us telling him to leave you alone. I’m so sorry, Clarice,” she says. “You have nothing to be sorry for. You did nothing wrong. I appreciate your calling to let me know so I can prepare myself if I can’t avoid him.”

“We will be flying to you on Friday. You won’t face him alone,” she says. Tears spring to my eyes. “Mom, that isn’t,” I start to say, but she cuts me off. “It absolutely is necessary. Thomas and I will try to make sure he stays away, but if we can’t, then we will be there to support you,” she says. “Thank you, mom.” “Besides, Thomas said that my id**t of a son called upset that a man answered your phone. It would serve him right if you found someone to fix what he chose to break,” she says.

“Mom, you don’t have to say that. I don’t expect you to turn against Trevor no matter what he did to me. He is still your son.” “You’re right, he is and nothing will change that, but that doesn’t mean have to stand by while he hurts you. Thomas and I meant what we said. You are our daughter. Whatever you decide to do, we will be there for you. I have no doubt you and the baby will always be part of our lives, but that doesn’t mean you have to be part of his. He made his choices, and now you need to make yours,” she says.

“I love you, mom.” “I love you too, sweetheart. I can’t wait to hug you on Friday. Have you set up an appointment with the doctor? I know everything has been a sh*t show, but please take care of you and my grand baby,” she says. “No, but I will. I’ll see you Friday.” We disconnect the call and I pull on a pair of jeans and a dark blue sweater. I braid my hair and slip on my boots. I grab my computer bag and step out of my room. I make my way down the hall and stop dead.

A beautiful woman with long blonde hair is seated on Chrissy’s couch. “Hello Claribelle,” she says with a brilliant smile. I look at her confused. “Do I know you?” “Yes and no,” she says as she stands stepping toward me. I’m just about to step back when she pulls me into a hug. “Gosh, you are even prettier than Christopher described. In his defense, he hasn’t seen you since you were a child,” she

17 Do I Know You

says.

+25 Points

When she pulls back, I finally see it. The similarities she shares with Chrissy and Nick. “Mrs. Claus” I whisper. She giggles before she raises her hand to my cheek. “You can call me Anya, sweet girl. I needed an excuse to get away from my husband before I put a thumb tack on his chair, so I figured I would pop in and check on you. How are you feeling,” she asks. I open and close my mouth, still in shock. This is Nick and Chrissy’s mom and the woman married to the current Santa Claus.

“I’m doing alright,” I finally manage to croak out. “Don’t be mad at Nick. He hasn’t told me anything. I have the power of visions, as does my daughter. We knew you were going to need us and that you would be important not only to Nick but to our family,” she says. I go to open my mouth, but she silences me with a raised hand. “I know you aren’t ready yet but I have faith you will find your way to your happiness, whatever that may be,” she says with a wink

“Now, unfortunately, my husband has noticed I’m gone, so I must get back. If you ever need to talk about anything, including my son, you just ring this,” she says, handing me a small bell. She presses a kiss on my forehead. “I’ll see you soon, sweet girl,” she says. She takes a step back and disappears.

“Holy sh*t,” I say to myself before I plop down on the couch. After a few seconds of wrapping my head around what just happened, a smile spreads across my face. I just met Mrs. Claus. She is nothing like what I imagined. She reminded me of my grandmother even though she didn’t look much older than my mother. Spunky, warm, protective, and beautiful. I can picture her making cookies and reading stories, but also defending her family ruthlessly. I giggle to myself. Coming home was the best decision I’ve ever made.

Loretta POV

As soon as I pull onto main street, memories of me and Clarice come flooding back. Unlike her, I come back to visit my parents frequently, but we have never been back together. I have to convince her to forgive me and give this relationship a chance. I really do love her, but I knew she would never go for me being with Trevor. I saw him first when we were in college, but he only saw

Clarice.

I’ve tried for so long to get him to see me and six months ago he finally did. He was at dinner with one of his clients where I was on a date. The guy was boring, and I had no problem blowing him off. Trevor had a few drinks during dinner, so I knew he would be easier to seduce. He was getting ready to leave. I made sure to bump into him.

Three drinks later he f**ked me in the bathroom of the restaurant. I know he felt guilty after it happened. He begged me not to tell Clarice. He told me he would never pick me over Clarice. He was panicked until I explained how it made sense for us all to be in a relationship. We could get

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17 Do I Know You

Clarice on board, and it wouldn’t be cheating. I loved him and her so it had to work.

She loved me even if it wasn’t romantic. I never expected her to just leave when she found out. I am her only family. I knew she would be upset that we did it behind her back, but she loves Trevor. I never expected her to just leave. I know once we talk she’ll realize that this is perfect. I just have to figure out where the hell she is staying. I know she wouldn’t go to her parents, but my cousin couldn’t find anything after she landed in Colorado.

She hasn’t used her credit cards since she arrived. It’s like she landed and disappeared. I know Trevor thought maybe she would go to her grandmother’s cottage, but there is no way. I decide to drive by the place anyway. As I approach the small cottage, I notice deep tire treads in the dirt but the place itself looks untouched. I turn around and head toward my parents‘ house. I haven’t told them what happened because I know they will be upset with me.

You’d swear Clarice was their daughter the way they would fawn over her. The few times they have come to visit me in California, they insisted that Clarice and Trevor join us for dinner. Don’t get me wrong, my parents love me, but they consider Clarice part of our family. They are going to be pissed if they find out that she ended our friendship. No, I won’t let her do that. She is my best friend and that isn’t going to change. I pull the car in front of the house and make my way inside. My parents come rushing into the foyer. “There she is, my munchkin,” my father says. “Dad, I’m not that short anymore.” “You will always be my munchkin. Now give me a hug,” he says, opening his arms. I hug him and then my mother. She wraps her arm around me and leads me into the living room. I smile when I see a plate of cookies and a cup of hot chocolate. “We are so glad you could come for a visit so close to the holidays, honey,” my mom says.

both.” “Me too. I was able to finish a project I’d been working on, so I had the time. I missed you We missed you too. I’m surprised you didn’t bring Clarice with you to the house. We’d love to see her,” my father says. I look at him confused. How does he know about her being here? Has he seen her? “How did you know Clarice is here, dad?” “Her dad came into the pharmacy. I could tell he was upset. He told me that nasty Booker woman had told Clarice’s mother she was working at the Inn. He went to see her, and it didn’t go well. I was hoping that maybe she had come back to finally forgive him for being such an id**t when she was younger, but I guess I was wrong. I’m surprised you convinced her to come back” he says.

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