Holiday Second Chance Romance (Clarice and Trevor) novel Chapter 20

20 Don’t Lie

Chrissy POV

I don’t know if I have ever been so angry in all my life. The minute I realized that stupid b**ch had the audacity to set foot anywhere near Clarice, I saw red. I don’t think I have ever seriously punched another person in anger. I walk side by side with Jack as we ensure that Loretta gets the message that she isn’t welcome anywhere near the Inn. She continues to bluster the entire walk

about how she and Trevor will be getting Clarice back and there is nothing we can do about it.

As soon as she steps outside, a pile of snow falls out of the sky. I throw my head back and laugh when she screeches like a banshee. “Well, that couldn’t have happened to a nicer person. You

better hurry home before you melt, since you are most certainly the wicked b**ch of the west.”

Jack chuckles as Loretta narrows her eyes on me. “I don’t understand why you are doing this. You

don’t even know me or Clarice, for that matter,” she says, practically stomping her foot.

“I must know her better than you do. I know how she feels about cheaters. Now at the risk of sounding like a broken record. Leave and don’t come back. You or that piece of sh*t that betrayed her are not welcome in our home.” “We will get Clarice back. She loves us both,” she says. “You really need to seek professional help for your delusions. She will never go back to that lying, cheating a**hat, and she is completely done with your pathetic a***

“You’re wrong. She will forgive us. She will come home, and we will be a family, so don’t get used to having her around. She can’t live without us,” she says. “Wow, there isn’t enough psychotherapy to fix that level of craziness because you are truly de–lulu. Let me let you in on a little secret. Clarice is going to fall deeply in love with my brother. They are going to get married and have lots of babies while you two will never know anything but misery for what you’ve done.”

She screeches again before she turns and stomps across the parking lot. Just as she reaches her sh*t brown car, the wind blows hard and knocks her off her feet. I giggle when she lands in a pile of snow that wasn’t there a few seconds ago. She scrambles to get up but slides again, this time going face first. Instead of a giggle, I throw my head back and laugh. When she finally gets to her feet. Her hair is stuck to her face and her clothes are soaked.

I smile as she finally gets in her car and drives out of the parking lot. I turn toward Jack. “Nicely done, but I’m sure that’s not the last we will see of her.” “I’m sure you’re right, but she’ll get more of the same and so will the dips*t that f**ked her and hurt Clarice” he says. “Does that mean you’ll be staying around until Christmas?” My heart beats faster waiting to hear his answer. I’ve been in love with Jack since I was a teenager, but he only sees me as Nick’s little sister.

“I suppose it does. I suppose I’ll have to stay with Nick since I’m sure there is no room at the Inn” he says with a chuckle. “You never stay at the Inn when you visit. This time will be no different.”

<< 20 Don’t Lie

Something flashes in his eyes but it’s gone as quickly as it came. “We should get back inside and check on Clarice. You were pretty bad** protecting your new sister, pixie girl,” he says. He has

called me that since I was in high school. “You know I’m an elf, not a pixie.” “I know, but you are just so tiny compared to me. Like a tiny little pixle,” he says.

I roll my

I my eyes

but I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face. “Come on snow boy, let’s go check on my sister.” “Hey not snow boy, snow man,” he says, and I burst out laughing. “Alright, laugh it up. I heard it as soon as I said it. Move your fine a** Chrissy,” he says. My steps falter and I turn to face him. His cheeks are as red as his tie and his eyes are closed. “Excuse me, did you just say I had a fine a**, Jack Frost?” “No, I didn’t. I wouldn’t look at my best friend’s little sister’s a**. Forget I ever came out of my mouth,” he says as he opens his eyes. Disappointment washes over

1. me.

He walks past me and pulls open the entrance door. I refuse to look at him as I walk through the open door. I beeline for the dining room, needing to get far away from Jack. He will only ever see me as Nick’s little sister. I was hoping he would see I’m not a little girl anymore now that I’m approaching my thirties, but I guess it’s not possible. As I step into the dining room, I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face. My brother is holding Clarice in his arms.

“They look good together,” Jack says from behind me. “Yes, they do.” “Chrissy, I didn’t mean,” he starts to say, but I cut him off. “Don’t lie, Jack. It’s not your style. I got the message loud and clear,” I say before I walk toward Nick and Clarice. She smiles and rushes toward me. She wraps me in a bone–crushing hug. “Thank you, Chrissy,” she says. “That’s what family does.”

Jack POV

F**k, why the hell did I say that? Nick would pummel me if he ever realized that I’d been having dirty thoughts about his little sister since she came back from college looking nothing like the little girl we grew up with. She was always fiery but annoying when she was younger. She was always underfoot, even when she became a teenager. I knew she had a crush on me and I think Nick did too, but he knew I wasn’t interested.

I hate that I just hurt her, but it’s better for her to think I’m a pr*ck who thinks she is a kid. She needs to find a guy her own age. Even the thought makes my gut twist into a knot. “Jack doesn’t mind, do you Jack,” Nick says as they approach me. I have no idea what they’re even talking about. “You know me, Nick. I’m easy.” “Do you even know what you agreed to,” Chrissy grits out. I hate the anger and hurt I see in her eyes.

“He has stayed at your place before Chrissy. I don’t get why your kicking up such a fuss now,” Nick says. “Nick, I can walk up the stairs. I’ll be careful. You’re being a smidgen over protective right

I agree with me, don’t you Jack? I mean if you hadn’t caught now,” Clarice says and I chuckle. “You her earlier she could have hurt herself or the baby,” Nick says. I had forgotten what loony Loretta

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20 Don’t Lie

was saying about her being pregnant.

“So you’re really pregnant. I didn’t know if it was another one of the crazy b**ch’s delusions.” “No, I am. I don’t know how far yet, because everything went to sh*t quickly, but the five at–home tests said I’m pregnant,” Clarice says. “I didn’t realize that you hadn’t seen the doctor yet. I’ll take you to

I see Dr. Henry tomorrow to get you and the baby checked,” Nick says. I smile knowing my friend has really found his one.

My eyes wander back to Chrissy as she stares at her brother. The warmth in her smile has my heart fluttering faster in my chest. “So you’re good with staying in Chrissy’s spare room,” he says. “As long as Chrissy’s alright with it.” I notice the slight change in her posture and I want to kick my own a** for making her think that I don’t want her even if I know it’s the right thing to do. “Chrissy doesn’t mind. You’re like a second brother. She loves you almost as much as she loves me,” Nick says with a wink. Clarice is definitely good for him. I don’t think he has scowled once since I

arrived.

If he only knew my thoughts are anything, but brotherly he would definitely be scowling and chasing me all over this place. “It’s fine. Clarice, I’ll grab your bag and meet you in Nick’s guest room,” she says. I can see Nick is about to protest, but Chrissy is already heading toward the back of the Inn. “Well, I guess I better pop home and pack a bag for a couple of weeks,” I say when I turn back to Nick and Clarice. A knowing smile on Clarice’s face has me closing my eyes. I breathe a sigh of relief when I open my eyes, and I’m alone in my penthouse.

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