Holiday Second Chance Romance (Clarice and Trevor) novel Chapter 48

48 Elven Kingdom (Part 2)

Clarice POV

Nick rolls his eyes before he places his hand on my lower back. Glendora never lets go of my hand as she leads me inside. An older man that again only looks like he’s in his sixties shoots out of his chair when he notices Nick. Without a word, he pulls him in for a bone–crushing hug. “It’s good to see you, son. Your grandma and I have missed your visits. You need to come around more often,” he says. “I will do better, grandpa. There is someone special I want you to meet,” Nick says, stepping out of his embrace. “Grandpa Edwin, meet Clarice.”

He looks between us before he looks back at Glendora and she nods. “I can’t believe my eyes. You’ve found your one. She is beautiful,” he says, opening his arms to me. “Come here, child, I never thought I’d see the day that a young lady would be willing to put up with my prickly grandson. You must be a very special young woman,” he says as I step into his embrace. “It’s very nice to meet you,” I say as I hug him back.

“You all keep saying such things, and she might change her mind, grandpa,” Nick says, and I giggle. “As if she’d leave you after she has met your family. If I didn’t run from your grandma and her mischievous ways, she will surely overlook your less than sunny demeanor. Besides, your mother alone makes putting up with you worth it,” he says. “Excuse me” Glendora says. She acts as if she is offended, but I can tell by the twinkle in her eye that she is anything but. “Don’t pretend, my naughty elf. She has made my life anything but boring,” he says with a

wink.

I giggle and Nick groans. “Grandson, right here. I don’t want to hear you call my grandma naughty. I’m going to have to wash my ears with soap,” he says. “I think it’s cute. I hope we are just the same when we are their age.” Edwin presses a kiss to my head before Nick pulls me back to his side. We spend the next few hours answering questions about how we met. I won’t lie. I was nervous when Nick told them about Trevor and the baby, but I shouldn’t have

been.

They were so excited about having a granddaughter they couldn’t stop hugging me. They also insisted on being there for our pledging ceremony. Once we said our goodbyes, we made our way back down the street toward the bustling activity. “Would you like to have lunch here or back at the Inn,” Nick asks. “What kind of food do they have here?” Nick chuckles and presses a kiss to my temple.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, my sweet Clarice, but it’s really not much different than what humans make. Although Mirna’s pub does have some divine desserts,” he says. As if my body recognizes we are talking about food, my stomach rumbles. Nick chuckles again before

48 Elven Kingdom (Part 2)

+25 Points

he leads me down the cobble stone street to a building that has a large sign hanging out front. “Mirna’s Cafe,” it reads in a beautiful scroll. We step inside and my steps falter.

It looks like the place belongs in a story book. The colors are pink and purple with comfortable couches and chairs lining the walls. “Not my taste in decor, but the food is amazing.” “Nick Kringle, are you making fun of my restaurant in front of a new customer,” a feminine voice asks from behind the counter. Jealousy and insecurity bubble up inside of me when the beautiful brunette smiles at Nick. I tamper it down as he leads me over to the

counter.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you, Mirna. How have you been?” “I’ve been fine, cousin,” she says, emphasizing the last word as she looks at me. I’m sure my cheeks are pink. F**k could she tell I was jealous? Nick looks down at me confused before he smiles. He wraps his arm around my middle and leans his lips to my ear.

“You never have anything to be jealous of my love. I only have eyes for you and your perfect a*** he says. I slap his chest and Mirna laughs. “I take it this young lady is special cousin since I’ve never seen you bring anyone to the kingdom. Were you visiting your grandparents,” she asks, as she rounds the counter. “She is very special. Clarice, this is my cousin Mirna. Mirna is my Uncle Milos daughter. He is my dad’s little brother,” he says. “Little my foot, younger maybe, but my father is a tank. He is bigger than you, Nick,” she says.

I smile, loving their banter. “How many siblings does your father have?” “Two brothers, Milos and Merl. They are twins, but Milos is older by five minutes,” he says. “Does your mom have

with any siblings?” “No, she was an only child, but it wasn’t for lack of trying,” he says disgust. “Well, I imagine you’re here for lunch. You two take a seat and I will bring your food,” Mirna says.

“We haven’t even ordered yet, Mirna,” Nick says. “I will be choosing a few dishes for you to share. I’m sure my new cousin won’t mind,” she says, looking at me. “I would really like that, Mirna,” I say and she pulls me in for a hug. When she finally rushes away, I smile at Nick. “I really like your family.” “Our family, Clarice. You have to take ownership of them too now,” he says. He leads me over to a booth and slides in close to me.

Nick POV

Mirna just sets down the last plate on the table when the bell dings over the door. I look up in time to see a face I had hoped never to see again. I sit back hoping she won’t notice me, but it’s like the universe is against me. She immediately heads in our direction. “Nick, I can’t believe you’re here. I didn’t think I would see you so soon,” she says as she reaches the table. “What do you want, Morgan,” I ask. I feel Clarice stiffen next to me. I wrap my arm around her shoulders, and she leans closer to my side.

“Nick, can we please talk in private? I never got the chance to explain,” she asks. “No, you

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48 Even Kingdom (Part 2)

$25 Points

can’t. As you can see, Nick isn’t interested, hence why he is sitting here with his arm around me. He is mine. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we are about to enjoy our lunch,” Clarice says. I swear hearing her claim me to the b**ch that betrayed me makes my c**k as hard as stone. I wish we were home right now so I could show her how much I’m hers.

“Who the hell are you and how dare you talk to me like that human,” she says. “She is my woman, that’s who. Now I think you should leave before I lose my patience and do something I regret.” “Nick, you can’t be serious. You would choose a pathetic human over an elf. You loved me. That feeling doesn’t just go away. Besides, she isn’t worthy of standing by your side,” she says. I’m just about to tell her to get the f**k off when the door to the café opens and my sister steps inside, followed by Jack.

Her eyes move from me, to Clarice, and then to Morgan. “Mirna, cousin, why on earth are you letting trash into your fine establishment,” she says as she moves to stand in front of Morgan. “Chirssy” Morgan starts to say, but my sister cuts her off. “Don’t you dare say my name like you know me. We are not f**king friends. In fact, I consider you an enemy for the way you hurt my brother, but I should be thanking you for being such a sk*nk. If you hadn’t f**ked up he wouldn’t have found the woman that was truly meant to be his one and my new sister,” she says.

“How can you say that she is a human? She isn’t worthy,” she starts to say. Before Jack and I can stop her, Chrissy smacks Morgan hard across the face. Morgan grabs her cheek where a hand print is blooming. “Leave before I do more than slap you. My brother doesn’t want you. He loves Clarice and even if he didn’t, he wouldn’t want a woman who is a cheating wh*re like you. How is Jared by the way,” she asks.

“He lied to me. It was a mistake,” Morgan whispers as her eyes find me again. “Cousin, can you please get rid of the b**ch so I can feed my beautiful future bride and our little girl.” Mirna and my sister both squeal when I mention the baby. “With great pleasure Nick” she says before she whirls on Morgan. “Leave before I make you and I promise I won’t be gentle after what you did,” Mirna says. “This isn’t over Nick. I know you still love me,” she says before she turns and leaves the café.

Before I realize what’s happening, Clarice’s hands are on my face, and she is yanking my lips to hers. The kiss isn’t sweet or soft. It’s definitely staking her claim and I gladly give in to the kiss. A whistle has us breaking apart and her burying her face in my chest. After a few seconds, she looks up and into my eyes. “You are mine, Nick.”

“Every part of me is yours. She is nothing. I wondered what seeing her would be like many times, but honestly it felt like nothing. I wasn’t even angry anymore. Anything I felt for her has long been gone. You are the only one in my heart, Clarice.” “Good, because I’m never letting you go, Nick.” I press another quick kiss on her lips before we dig into the food with my cousin, Jack, and Chrissy. Christmas can’t come quick enough.