Holiday Second Chance Romance (Clarice and Trevor) novel Chapter 36

Na Trist You

361 Trust You

Jack POV

It killed me last night to tuck her in my bed and kiss her sweetly before I went and took the hottest shower of my life. Hot water, for me, is like a cold shower for humans. Honestly, it didn’t help. Even after I slid into the bed in the guest room, my only thoughts were of the beautiful woman in the next room. I throw the blankets off and make my way out of the room. I smile when I hear my pixie girl singing Christmas carols from my kitchen. Chrissy Kringle is in my kitchen, and she knows how

I feel about her. It still seems surreal to me.

I make my way to the kitchen and stop dead at the sight in front of me. Chrissy is standing in boy–cut shorts and the tank top she wore last night. Her gorgeous a** is barely covered, and the tank top is riding up, exposing the creamy white skin of her lower back. Her red curls are in a messy bun and her delicate feet are bare. I adjust myself as I try to get myself under control before I embarrass myself. “Are you going to keep staring or are you going to help me get breakfast on

the table,” she says.

“I think I’ll do both. The view is spectacular,” I say. She turns to face me with a knowing smirk on her face. “You were the one that insisted on waiting, snow boy,” she says. “Despite my current situation, I don’t regret waiting to prove how much you mean to me, pixie girl,” I say, making eyes at the front of my sleep pants. Her eyes drop to my c**k before her cheeks flame red. I move to grab the plate of eggs on the counter. I press a kiss on her cheek before I set it on the table.

“You know you didn’t have to make breakfast. I could have simply ordered for us.” “Eating take out is nice once in a while, but I like cooking. When we start living together, I’ll cook expect when you take me on fancy dates,” she says with a smirk. I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face at the thought of us living our lives together. Having her in my space all the time. She places a plate of bacon and toast on the table before she takes the seat next to me. I pour coffee in both

our mugs.

When she looks at me, she smiles. “Where do you want to live,” I blurt out. “I didn’t mean that we have to live together right now, Jack. I simply mean when we do, I’d like to cook for us,” she says. “Chrissy, whenever you’re ready, I’m ready. Hell, I’ll head to your apartment right now and bring your sh*t here unless you want me to move my stuff to your apartment.”

“I’d like to still stay in my apartment and help with the Inn, but I don’t mind staying here when you need to for business. We could also build a house on the property behind the Inn. I love my apartment but it’s small. I mean at some point we will need more room,” she says.

I swear my heart feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest. Is she talking about us having children? “I meant what I said, Jack. I want us. I want a future with you. I don’t need some grand

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361 Trust You

25 Pants gesture or for you to prove you love all of me. I trust you Jack. I believe you when you say that I’m your one. You are my one,” she says. I lean in taking her face in my hands. I press my lips to hers and pour all I feel for her into the kiss. When I finally pull away, she looks dazed and I chuckle. “I love you.” Her eyes go big, and she stares at me like I just grew another head.

“You don’t have to say it back, Chrissy, but I’m done being a coward.” “I love you too, Jack,” she says before pressing a kiss on my lips. When she sits back, her smile reflects mine. “Now, let’s eat breakfast because before we head back I want to do a little shopping,” she says and I groan. I hate shopping. “Are you sure you don’t want to go back to bed for a little while,” I say with a wink. “Nope, you missed your chance last night. I was primed and ready to go,” she says. I adjust myself again and she giggles. “What kind of shopping do you want to do?” “I want to buy my niece her first present,” she says.

A sadness flashes in her eyes but it’s gone as quickly as it came. A memory of Nick complaining about them never getting presents as kids because they were the children of Santa Claus replays in my mind. Has she really never gotten a Christmas gift? “I’ll have my assistant send me the information about children’s boutiques, and we can go right after breakfast. Are there any other stores you’d like to visit for yourself?”

“No, I don’t really need fancy clothes. I have a few dresses that I can wear if we go to a fancier restaurant,” she says. “How about if we just go and look? If you see something you like, we can get it and if you don’t, then it’s no loss.” She eyes me suspiciously but she nods her agreement. We eat breakfast in comfortable silence. Everything about having her in my space feels perfect. Even something as simple as sharing breakfast after she cooked has warmth spreading through my chest. I could kick my own a** for wasting so much time.

Loretta POV

I can’t believe this. I’ve been stuck in this hotel since my parents kicked me out two days ago. Trevor is hardly answering my calls. He is supposed to arrive tomorrow and I desperately want to see him. I’ve never felt this alone. I’ve always been able to call Clarice when I was feeling out of sorts or lonely, and she would immediately make me feel like the most important person in the world. I’ve tried a few times to call her hoping that she would be willing to at least talk, but she still

has me blocked.

I’ve debated a couple of times about driving to the Inn, but I know that pr*ck Nick and his b**chy sister aren’t going to let me in. Hell, after last time I don’t even want to set foot in that place. I still don’t understand what is happening between Clarice and Nick. He keeps calling Clarice his girl, but I know she would never cheat on Trevor, no matter how angry she is. I dial Trevor again just needing to hear his voice and, thankfully, he picks up on the second ring.

“What the hell do you want, Loretta,” he asks coldly. “I just wanted to hear your voice. I miss you.”

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361 Hust Your

“Loretta, I am at work. My father has piled on so many cases I feel like I’m drowning. I know he is trying to stop me from getting on that plane tomorrow, but that isn’t happening. I am killing myself to get everything situated because I can’t afford to piss him off anymore than he already is. So no Loretta, I don’t have time to talk to you because you want to hear my voice. I need to get to my

wife,” he says and cuts the call.

I fight the tears that want to fall. How could he be so cold to me? I know he loves me, but I also know he loves Clarice. I can’t believe she is being so selfish. It’s not like he wanted to leave her for me. Hell, he insisted from the beginning, that would never happen.

I smile as an idea pops into my head. I google the Kringle Inn. I dial, and a bubbly woman answers the phone. I think she said her name was Colleen. “Hi Colleen. I’m very sorry to bother you, but I’m trying to reach my daughter–in–law, Clarice Banister. I’ve tried her phone several times and she isn’t answering. Would you be able to get her to the phone? It’s very important.”

There is a long pause of silence and I wonder if the call dropped. “Can you wait a moment? I’ll see if I can find her. What did you say your name was,” she asks. I roll my eyes, knowing she couldn’t see me. “My name is Alexia Banister. Clarice is my daughter–in–law.” “Alright, I’ll be right back,” she says. Excitement bubbles up inside me. I just need to convince Clarice that I never meant to hurt her. I know if all those people aren’t around when we talk she will remember that I am her best

friend.

“Hello,” a feminine voice says, and I immediately know it isn’t Clarice. What the hell is wrong with that b**ch that answered the phone first? “Hi, I’m waiting for Clarice Banister.” “So I was told, and you are,” the woman says. “I’ve already explained this to the woman that answered the phone first. I am her mother–in–law, Alexia. It is very important I speak to her.” “You conniving little b**ch. You are disgusting. Not only did you and my id**t son betray my daughter, but now you call here. How f**king dare you call her pretending to be me. Leave my daughter–in–law alone. In fact, leave my family alone.”

I feel like a rock just settled in my stomach. “Alexia, please. I never meant to hurt Clarice. I love her.” A laugh that surely doesn’t sound amused carries through the phone. “My son may be stupid enough to fall for your act, but I am not. You only care about you. I can’t believe that my son ever touched a worthless b**ch like you. You are nothing compared to Clarice. Now, as I said a few minutes ago leave my daughter alone,” she says, and the call disconnects.

F**k, I scream and bang my fists on the bed. Why the f**k are Trevor’s parents at the Inn? I dial Trevor again and scream when my call goes right to voicemail. I can’t believe this is happening. I don’t deserve this.