Holiday Second Chance Romance (Clarice and Trevor) novel Chapter 21

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21 Men Are Dumb

clair

21 Men Are Dumb

Clarice POV

As soon as Jack disappears, Nick threads his fingers with mine. “That is definitely going to take some getting used to.” He chuckles and brings my hand to his lips. “Do you want to give it a try,” he asks. I look at him like he has grown ten heads. “How,” I finally manage to ask. “Easy, do you trust me,” he asks. “Yes,” I answer without hesitation, but I’m not just talking about right now. I trust he would never hurt me. He wraps his arm around me and pulls me flush against him. The scent of him surrounds me.

My heart starts to race, but it doesn’t last because the next thing I know we are standing in Nick’s living room. “Holy sh*t,” I blurt out. He throws his head back and laughs. “That was amazing.” “It is pretty cool. It is definitely convenient, especially to visit my parents. Do you feel alright,” he asks. “Yes, shouldn’t I?” “Of course, I just didn’t know if the jump would make you sick to your stomach, he says.

“No, the only thing that seems to bother my stomach is bacon.” “I’ll make sure to keep that in mind when I cook for you,” he says. He presses his lips against my forehead before he finally releases

me from his embrace. I miss his warmth immediately. I would never tell Chrissy this because I love

her and wouldn’t want to hurt her feelings, but I was excited when Nick talked about me staying in his apartment. Sleeping with him last night was the best sleep I’ve had since I found out about

a**hole one and two.

Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with Chrissy, but since Nick told me his secrets and told me I’m his one, I hate being away from him. It’s crazy to think it’s only been a few days. I feel like its been months. Even seeing Loretta tonight didn’t hurt as much as I thought it would because my heart is healing. Nick is healing my heart faster than I thought was possible.

I know how crazy it sounds, but it can’t be any crazier than the fact we just teleported here. My mind goes back to the stolen looks from dinner between Chrissy and Jack and the way Jack watched Chrissy’s a** as she walked away. “Nick, Jack said that you two grew up together. How old are you?” “A lot older than you,” he says. Why does it feel like he is scared to tell me how old he

is?

He doesn’t look a day over thirty–five. “Nick,” I say in warning, and he looks into my eyes. “I turned eighty this year,” he says. “Bullsh*t, you can’t be any older than forty. Stop teasing me and just tell me, Nick. It really doesn’t matter to me how old you are. I was more interested in how old Jack was.” Jealousy flashes in his eyes and I can’t help but giggle. “You are mine, Clarice,” he says, stepping closer to me again. I never realized how much I would like his possessiveness.

“As long as you remember, that means your mine. I’m sure you’ve realized by now I don’t share.” L

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21 Men Are Dumb

ust flashes in his eyes and I fight the urge to squeeze my thighs together. Where the hell did that come from? “To answer your question, Jack is a year younger than me and I really am eighty. Our bloodline lives a very long time, Clarice. We have magic in our blood,” he says. Before I can ask him what that means if he truly accepts me, a human, the door to the apartment opens.

Chrissy stomps inside with my bags in her hands. When her eyes meet mine, she immediately looks at Nick. “What the hell did you say to her that has that look on her face?” “I didn’t say anything bad. She wanted me to tell her how old I am. I was just explaining that I will live a long time after | had to tell her I’m an old man,” he says with a chuckle. Chrissy rolls her eyes. “Did you also tell her that once you pledge to her, she will live as long as you will, as will your children,” she asks.

Nick opens and closes his mouth, but before he can say anything, Chrissy grabs my hand and leads me into what I assume is the guest room. Once we are inside, she shuts the door and locks

1. it. “Men are so d*mb,” she says as she drops the bags in the corner. “What’s wrong, Chrissy? This

wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain man that can control the snow, would it?” “How did

you know,” she asks.

“I don’t need to have special powers to see there is something between the two of you.” “You’re

wrong. The only thing between us is that I’ve wasted too long waiting for the big jerk to see me as more than his best friend’s little sister,” she says. “Oh, I think he sees you as much more than that. He couldn’t take his eyes off of you at dinner, and they were glued to your a** when you walked

away from him.”

Something flashes in her eyes before she looks down at the floor. “What is that look about?” “He made a comment about getting my fine a** back inside the Inn, but then he acted like he just misspoke. He told me to forget that he said it, Clarice,” she says. She is right men are d*mb. “Do you really like Jack, Chrissy?” “I’ve been in love with him since I graduated from college,” she says. “I may not have visions like you, Chrissy, but I think Jack feels the same way. I’m not sure why he is holding back, but I think he wants you as much as you want him.”

“I’m not going to beg him to love me, Clarice. If he can’t admit his feelings, then he isn’t the man I thought he was,” she says. “I agree you shouldn’t beg him, but I don’t think you need to. You can either tell him exactly how you feel and let the chips fall where they may, or you can show him exactly what he stands to lose if he doesn’t pull his head out of his a*** Chrissy smiles for the first time since we stepped into the room.

Trevor POV

I’m just starting to pack up my briefcase when my cell rings. When Loretta’s name flashes on the screen, I debate about answering it, but I know she has to have arrived in Clarice’s hometown. Maybe she has already talked to her. Maybe she has agreed to come home. Wishful thinking, but it has me answering the call. “Trevor,” I say forgoing a greeting. “Trevor, it’s me,” she says, and I roll

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21 Men Are Dumb

my eyes. She sounds upset, and I wonder if it has something to do with Clarice.

“I saw her, Trevor, but she still wouldn’t really talk to me. In fact, she f**king slapped me. Not only did she slap me, but the little witch from the Inn punched me.” “What little witch?” “I can’t remember her name, but I think she owns the Inn with her brother. They are trying to steal our girl, Trevor. Her brother kept acting like Clarice was with him. Then some other man I’ve never seen before was calling her his new sister,” she says.

My grip on my phone tightens with every word. Clarice is mine. I am the only man she has ever been with and that is not going to change just because I f**ked up. “Loretta, I will be there as soon as my plane lands on Saturday. Just try to get her alone. I know my wife she would never betray me. I’m sure whatever happened was an act to upset me. A knock on my office door interrupts me. When the door opens, my father steps inside.

He glares at me, his hand in his pockets. “I have to go. I will see you on Saturday.” “Who was that you were talking to? I hope it wasn’t that woman, Trevor. Your mother and I will never accept her. Hell, you’ll be lucky if we don’t disown you for what you’ve done to our daughter,” he says. My chest aches at the thought of losing my parents and Clarice. I can’t let that happen.

“Of course not. It was no one important. Did you need something, dad?” “I’m here to remind you

don’t to be on time tomorrow. I will not be in, but my secretary has strict orders to call me if you show up for work. I know you think I’m bluffing, but I will fire you, son or not Trevor,” he says. “I will be here dad. Where are you and mom going?” “That is none of your business,” he says before he turns walking out of my office. I slump back in my chair when I hear the click of the door. Everything is so f**ked up. I look at the tree that Clarice set up in the corner of my office a week ago. Normally, this is Clarice’s favorite time of the year. Another thing I’ve probably ruined for her. What the hell was I thinking? When I get to Clarice I will make it clear that Loretta and I are done. I only need Clarice. Thinking about my child growing in her belly has a mix of emotions washing over me. I wonder how she is feeling. Is she having any morning sickness? I should be there if she is holding her hair. Is her body changing? Is she having any cravings? I swear if she forgives me l will spend the rest of my life making everything up to her.

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