Copyright©2017WinterTravers

Allrightsreserved.Withoutlimitingtherightsundercopyrightreservedabove,nopartof

thispublicationmaybereproduction,storedinorintroducedintoaretrievalsystem,or

transmitted,inanyform,orbyanymeans(electronic,mechanical,photocopying,

recording,orotherwise)utilizationofthisworkwithoutwrittenpermissionofboththe

copyrightownerandtheabovepublisherofthisbook.

Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,brands,mediaandincidentsareeither

theproductsoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously.Theauthoracknowledges

thetrademarkedstatusandtrademarkownersofvariousproductsreferencedinthiswork

offiction,whichhavebeenusedwithoutpermission.Thepublication/useofthese

trademarksisnotauthorized,associatedwith,orsponsoredbythetrademarkowners.

Forquestionsorcommentsaboutthisbook,pleasecontacttheauthorat

[e-mail]

Silas–AScroogedChristmasispartofacollaboratedcollectionbytenauthorsthemedaroundascroogedChristmas.

Checkouttheblurbsattheendofthisbookforthefollowingcorrelatedauthors:BSMStonekingCPSmith,FGAdams,

JenniferDomenico,JessikaKlide,JuliaGoda,MayraStatham,ReginaFrame,andTracieDouglas.

Braxton

BSMStoneking

Brendan

JenniferDomenico

Daxton

JuliaGoda

Grayson

ReginaFrame

Luke

CPSmith

Michael

FGAdams

Silas

WinterTravers

Travis

TracieDouglas

Zaiden

MayraStatham

Zane

JessikaKlide

AlsoByWinterTravers

Devil’sKnightsSeries:

LovingLo

FindingCyn

Gravel’sRoad

BattlingTroy

Gambler’sLongshot

KeepingMeg

FightingDemon

UnravelingFayth

SkidRowKingsSeries:

DownShift

PowerShift

BangShift

PowerhouseM.A.Series:

DropkickMyHeart

LoveontheMat

BlackBeltinLove

BlackBeltKnockout(ComingJanuary2018)

FallenLordsMCSeries:

Nickel

Pipe

Maniac(ComingMarch2018)

Blurb

SilasWarlackdoesn’thavetimeforanythingotherthanrunningamulti-milliondollar

businessthousandsofmilesawayfromhishometown.Heespeciallydoesn’thavetimefor

frivolousthingsliketheholidaysandfamily.Toobadhismotherdoesn’tunderstandthat.

AinsleyCrownefinallyhaseverythingsheeverdreamedofinherlife;Amazingfriends,

andasuccessfulflowershopallinherhometown.Ablastfromthepastcomesblowing

backintotownandherbestfriend’sweddingjustbeforeChristmas,remindheroftheone

thingmissinginherlife:Love.

WillAinsleyandSilasrealizewhattheyoncehadwasonceinalifetimeorwilltheybe

toostubbornandlettheholidaymiracleintheirmidst,passthemby?

Acknowledgements

Myboys.Idoitallforyoutwo.

Dedication

Alwaysjinglealltheway.

Nobodylikesahalf-assedjingler.

Chapter1

Silas

“Janine, I’m going to need you to cancel my three o’clock and reschedule it for

four.IhaveafeelingtheMaxwellmeetingisgoingtorunoverandIdon’twanttohaveto
rushthemoutthedoor.”Ireleasedtheintercombuttonandsatbackinmychair.

“Yes,sir.I’llgetrightonthat.Yourmothercalledwhileyouwereatlunch.Would

youlikemetogetherbackonthelineforyou?”

Dammit.Iknewwhymymomwascalling.Shecalledeveryyearthistimeasking

me the same thing. You would think after eight years of getting the same answer, she
wouldjuststopasking.

Might as well get this shit over. “Yes. Please remind me of my schedule in five

minutes.”

“Butsir,ifIputyourmotheronthephone,won’tIbeinter—”

“Yes,Janine,that’sexactlywhatyou’llbedoing.”Iwouldbeonthephoneforan

hourifmymotherhadherway.

Ispunaround,facedthehugewindowbehindme,andlookeddownonallofthe

peoplescurryingaroundbelow.Fromthetwenty-thirdfloor,itwasamazingthethingsyou
couldwatch.

Thehomelessmanonthecornerwhobeggedfromonetosixpm.Amaninawell-

pressed suit, who like clockwork, every day walked across the street and got in a taxi.
Three attractive women who walked to the coffee cart and then down around the corner
everymorningateightthirty.

“Yourmotherisonlinethree,”Janinebeepedin.

Islowlyspunbackaroundtomydeskandstaredatthephone.Janinewasfartoo

efficient. I needed at least five more minutes before I had this conversation. I loved my
mother, but she didn’t understand my life. To her, hopping on a plane and visiting for a
couple of days wasn’t a big deal. When in reality, it took a week of planning and
reschedulingashittonofmeetings.Nottomention,headingbacktoMillsGroveranked
rightuptherewitharootcanal.Notfunatall.

Ipickedupthephoneandtookadeepbreath.“Hello,Mother.”

“Si,Ireallywishyouwouldcallmemom.Yousoundsostuffywhenyoucallme

mother.”

Irolledmyeyesandturnedbacktothewindow.“AndIwishthatyouwouldcall

meSilas.Afterall,youaretheonewhogavemethename,Mother.”

She sighed heavily. “I really don’t know where you got this stuffy attitude from.

YourdadandIaresolaidbackwhileyou’reacompletestickinthemud.”

“I’mnotastickinthemud.”

ItwasasifIcouldhearmymotherrollhereyes.“Theonlypeoplewhosaythatare

thepeoplewhoaresticksinthemud.”

Ileanedbackinmychairandscrubbedmyhanddownmyface.“Isthiswhatyou

calledmefor,Mother?”

“Asif,Si.YouknowdamnwellwhatIcalledfor.It’sDecemberseventeenth.Iwant

toknowwhatdayyou’llbehere.”

“Andyouknowdamnwellwhatmyanswerisgoingtobe.Ican’tgetoffwork.”

“Silas Franklin Warlack, you own the damn company. You should have a pile of

minionsdoingallofyourbiddingforyou.Iseenoreasonwhyyouthinkyouneedtobe
theonlyoneinthatbigol’towerovertheholidays.”Iheardthecrinklingofawrapperon
herend.“YourdadandIhaven’tseenyousinceMay.It’stimeyoucomehome,”shesaid
withhermouthful.

“AndwehadsuchagoodvisitinMay.IthinkyouandDadshouldcomeherefor

Christmas.” If they flew in the twenty-fourth and were gone by the twenty-fifth, I
wouldn’tmissmuchworkandcoulddomostthingsfromhome.

“Ican’tbelieveyouevensuggestedthat.Youliveinaplacewhereit’ssunnyand

warmallyearlong.Idon’tevenknowhowpeoplegetintheholidayspiritwhilewearing
tanktopsandflipflops.It’sdownrightridiculoustoseeaSantaClauswalkingaroundina
Bermudashirtwhilecarryingasurfboard.”

Irolledmyeyes.“Mother,Idon’tevenknowwhatyouaretalkingabout.I’vebeen

inL.A.foralmostnineyears,andhaveneverseenthat.”

“That’sbecauseyougettotheofficebeforethesunrisesandleavewellafteritsets.

Allyouseearethefourwallsofyourofficeoryourapartment.”

“Idon’tknowwhatelsetotellyou,Mother.Youeithercomehere,orwewon’tsee

eachotherforChristmas.”

Shesighedheavily,andIfeltthemoodchangeoverthephone.“Youneedtocome

home,Silas.Therearethingsgoingon,andIdon’twanttodiscussthemoverthephone.”

Isatupstraight.“What?Whatdoyoumean?Isitmoney?Youknowallyouneedto

doisaskandI’llhavethemoneytoyouinminutes.”

“Silas,thisisn’tsomethingyoucanthrowyourmoneyat.Beherebythetwenty-

third,oryou’regoingtoregretitfortherestofyourlife.”

“Mother?”Icalled.Thedialtonegreetedmyear,andIheldthephoneouttolookat

it.

Whatinthehellwasthat?Mymotherhadjusthunguponme.Neverinmylifehad

Iheardhersoundmoredemanding,andquitehonestly,itscaredme.

“Sir,wouldyouliketogooveryourschedule?”Janinebeepedin.

Ispunaroundtomydeskandhungupthephone.“Comeinhere,Janine.Wehave

to rework my schedule for next week. It appears I’ll be going home for Christmas this
year.”

*

Chapter2

Ainsley

“DidyouseetheLexussittingintheWarlack’sdriveway?”

“ALexus?”

“Yeah.Pitchblack,sleek,andexpensive.”

I laughed and grabbed an empty bucket off the floor. “You think Hank is going

throughamidlifecrisis?”

Melonie grabbed the bucket from me and pointed across the street. “Hank just

walkedintothehardwarestore.Idon’tthinkit’shis.”

“Prepalltheroses,andthenwe’llworkonunpackingthelastofthepoinsettias.”

“Doyouthinkyoucouldstopthinkingaboutflowersfortwominutesanddiscuss

whytheWarlack’shaveaLexus?”

Ileanedagainsttheworkbenchandcrossedmyarmsovermychest.“Youthinkyou

couldsayLexusonemoretime?Ididn’thearyouthefirsttwotimes.”

“Lexus.Hearmenow?”

Irolledmyeyes.“Ihearya.WhatIdon’tunderstandiswhyyou’resohungupon

it.”

“BecauseIwanttoknowwhoitis,”shewhined.

“MaybetheWarlack’sgotitforyouasaweddinggift?”

Melonie’s eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands together. “I know you are

completelywrong,butI’mstillhopefulyou’reright.Itwasn’tonourregistry,butIwill
gladlytakeit.”

“Prettysurepeopledon’tdotheirweddingregistriesatcardealerships,”Ilaughed.

“Well,Ithinkthatneedstobecomeathing,”shehuffed.Melaniemovedtothehuge

front window and stared across the street. “You would think if Hank got a new car, he
wouldbedrivingit.Nothaveitsitinthedriveway.”

I grabbed the last two buckets of roses and set them on the workbench. Melonie

wasn’tgoingtobeanyhelpuntilshefiguredoutwhowasdrivingthemysteriousluxury
sedan.“Maybeit’sasalesmanorsomething.”

“Maybe,” she murmured. “Oh, here comes Hank, and he’s got another guy with

him.I’veneverseenhimbefore.”Shepressedhernoseagainsttheglass,andIcouldn’t
helpbutlaugh.“Ohmy,he’shandsome.Comelookandsee,”shecalled.

“I’monlycomingtolooksoIcangetyoubacktowork.”Wipingmyhandsonmy

blackapronwewalkedtothewindow.“Ican’tseehisface.”Hankwasfacingtheflower
shopandtheguyMeloniewastryingtofigureouthadhisbacktotheshop.“Idon’tknow

howyouthoughthewasgoodlookingjustbyhisback.”

Sheelbowedmeandsplayedherhandontheglass.“Isawhimwalkoutofthestore

beforeheturnedaround.HeisgorgeouswithacapitalG.”

“You’re about to get married in two days, you might want to bring down your

excitementoverthemysterymanabit.”

“Coreyisgorgeous,butthereissomethingaboutamaninasuitthatcanmeltany

woman’spanties.”

Rollingmyeyessohard,IwassureIsawthebackofmyhead.“Yeah,untilthe

guyopenshismouthandallyouwanttodoisrunintheotherdirection.”

“Shh,you’reruiningthefantasy.”

IleanedagainstthewindowandkeptmyeyestrainedonHankandthemysterious

stranger.“He’sprobablysomeinsurancesalesman.”

“ButwhywouldHankbringhimtothehardwarestore?”

Because Hank was crazy. The good kind of crazy, but still crazy. “He probably

convincedtheguytohelphimstringuphi—”Mywordsdiedinmythroatandeverything
gothazyexceptforthemysteriousstrangerwhoturnedaround.

“Poof,therewentmypanties,”Meloniewhispered.

Mypantieswerestillintact,butIcouldn’tsaythesameaboutmyheart.

SilasWarlack.

Theprodigalsonhadreturned.

Ohjoy.

*

Silas

Theoldmanwaslosingit.

NoteventenminutesafterIhadarrivedatthehouse,hehadinsistedweneededto

gotothehardwarestoretogetmorelightsforthefrontyard.

Tome,itwasawasteoftimebecauseChristmaswasthreedaysaway,andhewould

justbetakingthemdowninaweekanyway.

“Let’srunovertotheflowershopandseeiftheyhaveapoinsettiaforyourmom.

Youknowhowmuchshelikesthem.”

Likethem?Hell,Iwasprettysureshehadatleasttenoftheminthekitchenalone.

DaddroppedthebagfullofChristmaslightsinthebackseatandmotionedacross

thestreet.“Ibetyoudidn’tknowwehaveaflowershopnow,didyou?”

Ipulledmycoattightaroundmeandshookmyhead.“Nope,wasn’therebefore.”

Dad shook his head then looked left and right before crossing the street. “If you

would come home more often, everything wouldn’t seem so different. The flower shop

hasbeenopenedforsixyears.It’soneofyourmom’sfavoriteplacestogo.”

A flower shop? I had no idea that people actually went to them other than

Valentine’sDay.“I’lljustwaitinthecar,Dad.”IhadafewemailsIneededtocheck,andI
toldJanineIwouldcheckinbeforetheendoftheday.

“Nonsense,”hecalled.“Putthatdamnphonebackinyourpocketandcomepick

outsomeflowersforyourmom.Shewouldloveknowingyouweretheonewhopicked
themout.”

Irolledmyeyesbutshovedmyphoneinmypocket.“I’msureshe’dbehappywith

you picking them out,” I grumbled. We crossed the street, and my gaze fell on the dark
brickbuildingwithabrightsignhangingoverthedoorwiththewords“CrowneFloral”
splashedonit.

Dadpulledopenthedoor,steppedthrough,andhelditopenforme.“Hurryup,Si;

you’relettingtheheatout.”

Ijoggedthefinalstepsintotheshopandpulledthedoorshutbehindme.

“Hello,MelonieandAinsley!”

Ainsley?Holyshit.

Thiswasatrap.

AfamiliarvoicethatIstillheardinmydreamsfloatedaroundme.

“Hey,Hank.”

IturnedtomyrightandwasfacetofacewithAinsleyCrowne.Thegirlwho,eight

yearsago,hadwreckedmyworldandwalkedawaywithoutacareintheworld.

“Hello,Silas,”shesaidquietly.

Shelookedthesame.Darkredhair,perfectlyplumpandkissablelips.Crystalblue

eyesthatsweartoGod,couldseerightthroughme,andlonglegsIcouldstillfeeltangled
withmineaswewatchedthefireworkseveryyear.

Howinthefuckwasthatpossible?

Ihadn’tseenthiswomaninovereightyears,andyet,itfeltlikejustyesterdayshe

wasmine.

Iclearedmythroat.“Hello,Ainsley.”

Somethingflashedinhereyes,butIcouldn’tpinpointwhatitwas.Whetherornot

shewassurprisedtoseeme,Icouldn’ttell.

Iwassurprisedtoseeher.Hell,Iwasshocked.

“I’mMelonie.Minionextraordinaire.”TheshortwomannexttoAinsleystepped

forwardandheldherhandouttome.

Iremovedoneofmyleatherglovesandgentlyshookherhand.“Silas,”Imumbled.

“Yeah,Ifiguredthatout,”shesaidwithawinkofhereye.

Dadclappedhishandstogetheranddidaslowcirclewithhisarmsoutstretched.“I

needmoreflowers,A,”hecalled.

“You’vecometotherightplace,Hank,”shelaughed.“Although,Ithinkyouhave

halfofmypoinsettiastockinyourkitchenrightnow.”

Dadlaughedandmovedaroundtheoverflowingpotsofflowerstothebackofthe

store.“Haveanythingwithgoldinit?IthinkthatwouldmakeJunehappy.Somethingto
gowithallthered.”

“I’ll help you, Hank.” Melonie followed my dad and disappeared behind a huge

rackintheback.

Itookoffmyothergloveandtuckedthemintothepocketofmyjacket.“Ididn’t

knowyouworkedhere.”IfIhad,Iwouldhavenevercamein.

“Iownit.”

I nodded. “I guess that really shouldn’t be a surprise. You always did have your

handsinthedirtandyourheadintheclouds.”

Ainsley scoffed. “And you always had a stick up your ass. It’s nice to see some

thingsneverchange.”

Ilaughedandturnedtolookattheflowersnexttome.“Mothertoldmethesame

thingtheotherday.”

“Youactuallytalkedtoyourmother?I’msurprised.”

Ilookedovermyshoulder.“Idon’tknowwhythatwouldsurpriseyou.”

“Becauseshealwayscomplainsabouthowshenevertalkstoyou.”

“Iheardyouseemymotheroften.”

Asmallsmiletouchedherlips.“Morethanyou.”

Thatwasacheapshot.“I’maverybusyman,Ainsley.IfIspentallofmytimeon

thephone,Iwouldnevergetanythingdone.”

She nodded and sighed. “Then I better not keep you.” She untied her apron and

tosseditonthewindowsill.“I’mtakingabreak,Melonie,”shecalled.

Melonie peeked her head around the shelf and smiled. “Um, okay,” she replied,

confused.

Ainsleygrabbedherpursefrombehindthecounteranddisappearedoutthedoor.

Thatwentaboutaswellascouldbeexpected.

“WheredidAinsleygo?”Dadasked.

Ihitchedmythumbovermyshoulder.

Meloniesetahugepotofrosesonthecounterandrestedherhandsonherhips.“I

can’t tell you the last time the words ‘I’m taking a break’ came out of Ainsley’s mouth.
Half the time, I think that woman sleeps here.” She shook her head and started pulling
rosesoutofthepots.

Dadstoodnexttome.“Theydidn’thaveanythinggold,soIdecidedtogowitha

dozenroses.Yourmotherisasuckerforthem.”

This,Iknew.Growingup,therehadalwaysbeenrosesonthetable,andtherose

bushbythefrontdoorperfumedtheaireveryspring.“IthoughtIwastheonewhowas
supposedtopickouttheflowers.”

Dadshookhisheadandputhishandonmyshoulder.“No,son.Youweresupposed

tonotbeanasstoAinsley,butIseethatoldhabitsdiehard.”

“Iwasn’tanass,”Igrittedout.“Sheinsinuatedsomethinginwhichshehadnoidea

whatshewastalkingabout.”

“Twistedthatstickyouhaveupyourass,didshe?”

Ipulledmyglovesoutofmypocketandslappedthemagainstmyhand.“I’llbe

waitinginthecar.”Istormedoutoftheshop,slammingthedoorshutbehindme.

Fourmoredays,andIwouldbeoutofthistown.

Inthosefourdays,IwasgoingtoavoidAinsleyCrowneliketheplague.Because

whenevershewasaround,Iwasalwaystheonewhowasanass,andshewastheperfect
angel.

Fourdays.

Fourfreakin’days.

*

Chapter3

Ainsley

“HandoverthespoonandturnofftheHallmarkmovie.”

IgrowledatMelonie’soutstretchedhandandburrowedfurtherundermyblanket.

“Nothappening.”

“ThenyouneedtotellmewhathappenedbetweenyouandSilastoday.Hetookoff

assoonasyoudid,andHank,foronce,wasn’ttalking.”

Thatwassurprising.Hanknormallycouldn’tkeephismouthshut.“There’snothing

totell.”

Meloniesprawledoutonthecouchnexttome.“Ohreally?Becauseyounormally

stormoutoftheshopwhenacustomercomesin?”

IturnedmyeyesbacktotheTV.“Ineededcoffee.”

“Imakethecoffeerunsallthetime.”

Lookingatheroutofthecornerofmyeye.“Ithoughtitwouldbenicetosayhito

Missy.Youknow,businessownertobusinessowner.”

“Thatwouldmakesense,exceptIknowthatitwasMissy’sdayoffbecauseIwas

overthereinthemorningandBarbtoldmeshewasgone.”

“Idon’tlikewhenyouactlikeyouknowitall,”Igrumbled.

“Idon’tknowitall.IfIdid,Iwouldn’tbeoverherebuggingyoutotellmewhatthe

dealy-oiswithyouandMr.Armani.”

“Mr.Armani?”Imumbledaroundamouthfuloficecream.

“Hissuit,”shewinked.“ItwasArmani.TotallyGoogleditafterheleft,sinceyou

weren’taroundtomakesureIwasworking.”

Istabbedmyspoonintotheicecreamandsetitonthecoffeetable.“Iwondered

whynothingwasdonewhenIcameback.”

She shrugged and grabbed the remote. “I don’t know how you can watch these

moviesoverandover.”ShepointedattheTV,butIsnatcheditoutofherhandbeforeshe
couldturnit.

“My TV, woman,” I scolded. I tucked the remote under my butt and stuck my

tongueoutather.

“TellmeaboutSilas.”

Ishookmyhead.“No.”

“Please?”

“Don’t you have your fiancé to spend time with? I don’t know why you’re over

here.”

“Becausehe’sjustacrossthehallwaywatchingfootball,andIdon’tthinkIcantake

onemoreminuteofhimscreamingattheTV.TellmeaboutSilas.”

Ilaughedandshookmyhead.“I’mnotsureit’sagoodsignyoutryingtoescape

yourfuturehusband.”

“Ilovehim.Hisfootballcrazyfrenzyhegetsinto,notsomuch.Now,tellmeabout

Silas.”

I grabbed the remote from under my butt and pointed it at the TV. “You’re

relentless,”ImumbledasIpausedmymovie.

“It’s part of my charm.” She scooted closer and rested her head on my shoulder.

“NowtellmeaboutSilas.”

“SaySilasonemoretime,”Ilaughed.

“Silas,Silas,Silas.Nowtellmeaboutthedamnman.”

I sighed and tucked the remote back under my butt. “I’m not sure I know much

aboutthemananymore.”TheSilaswhohadwalkedintoCrowneFloralwasfarfromthe
boywhohadsnuckintomybedroomyearsago.Granted,hehadastickuphisassback
then,buthewasdifferentwhenhewasaroundme.

“Butyouknewthemanbefore?”

“Yes,Melonie,Iknewthedamnmanbefore.”

“I’mgonnaneedmorethanthat.Didyouknowthemanlikeyousawhimwalking

downthestreetandsaidhey,Iknowthat’sSilas,orwasitmorelikeyouknewhiminthe
biblicalsense?”

“IfItellyou,willyoushutupandletmewatchmymovie?”

Meloniesatupandfoldedherhandsinherlap.“I’llzipmylipsandblissfullywatch

whatever Christmas trainwreck you’re watching as long as you spill your guts. All of
them.”

Where to start? Silas and I were from a time I didn’t like to think about. “I was

seventeen,Silaswassixteen.”

Meloniegasped.“Yourobbedthecradle!”

I rolled my eyes. “Not really. He was only two months younger than I was. We

datedallofjuniorandsenioryear.Thenwebrokeup.Theend.”

Melonie laughed. “Yeah, I’m not accepting that. That man made you run for the

hills,soIknowthatthereismoretoitthanyoutwobrokeup.”

“Thatisit.Webrokeup.HemovedtoL.A.,andIstayedhere.”

“Butyoustayedclosetohisparents.”

“It’sasmalltown,Mel.Ican’texactlyignorethem.Besides,theyhadnothingtodo

with Silas and me. He had big dreams, and I wasn’t a part of them.” Silas had always

talkedaboutleavingtownandtravelingtheworld,whileIlovedlivinginMillsGroveand
hadnoplansofleaving.“Ishouldhaveknownweweren’tgoingtoworkoutandnever
started dating him. But we were both young and stupid. We thought our love could
conquereverything.Oh,howwrongwewere,”Ilaugheddrily.“Lovedoesnothingatthe
thoughtofbeingathousandmilesapart.”

Meloniescoffed.“Girl,weliveinthetimeoftechnology.Youtotallycouldhave

madeitworkwithFacetime,textmessaging,anddon’tforgetsexting.”

“Melonie,Idon’tthinkIcanrollmyeyesanymoretonight.Youseemtobringthe

eyerolloutinme.Wedidn’thaveallofthatstuffalmostnineyearsago.Hell,textingwas
justpickingupspeed.”

“Sohetookoffandleftyoubehind?”

“Yes.Wheneverhetalkedaboutleaving,henevermentionedmecomingwithhim.

Itwasalways,hewasgoingtothisandhewasgoingthere.Nevera‘we’cameoutofhis
mouth.”

“Didyouaskhimifhewantedyoutogowith?”

Ilookedoverather.“Youmeaninvitemyselfalong?No,never.Iwasn’tgoingto

buttmywayinifhedidn’twantmethere.”

“Youknowthat’sridiculous,right?Hemayhavesaidme,me,me,butinhishead,

hemighthavemeantwe.”

Ishookmyhead.“No,becausethat’snotwhatIwanted.Whenitcamedowntoit,

webothjusthadentirelydifferentdreams.Howcanyoubewithsomeonewhoonlywants
toseeyourdreamintheirrearviewmirror?”

“Oh,Ainsley.Youwerebothsoyounganddumb.”

Ilaughedandgrabbedtheremote.“Thatwewere,Mel.Andnowwe’rebotholder

andwiser.”

“Andthatmeansmaybeyoutwocanfigureoutawaytomakethingsright.”

I unpaused the movie and settled back into the couch. “Things are right the way

theyare,Mel.SilasisjusthereforChristmas,andthenhe’llbegone.”

Meloniejumpedupfromthecouchandsnatchedthecontaineroficecreamoffthe

coffeetable.“Well,Ithinkthat’scrapandthatSilasisbackheretogrovelatyourfeetto
takehimback.”

Ilaughedandshookmyhead.“Andthat,rightthere,iscrap.SilasWarlackbegsfor

nothing.Themantakeswhathewantsanddoesn’tcareaboutanythingbuthimself.”

Melsighed.“Well,I’mgoingtoleaveyoutowallowinyourChristmasmovies,and

I’mgoingtoseeifIcandistractMickawayfromthefootballgametospendalittletime
withme.”

“Thenwhyareyoutakingmyicecreamwithyou?”Iprotested.

“Becauseit’safifty-fiftychanceofCoreypickingmeoverfootball.Withtheice

cream,I’mgoodeitherway.”Meloniethrewawinkoverhershoulderatmeandducked

outthedoor.

“Damnher,”Imumbled.Ijustcouldn’tgetbackintomymovie.

WhilethecoupleonTVwastryingtofigureouthowtosaveChristmas,Icouldn’t

help but feel the holiday I loved was tainted by the one guy I had hoped to never see
again.

ThelightsoftheChristmastreeinthecornertwinkled,andIcouldn’thelpbutsmile

atthelargepileofpresentsstackedupunderneath.Silashadmessedupmylifeyearsago,
andnowIwasn’tgoingtolethimdestroymyfavoriteholiday.

*

Chapter4

Silas

“Whatinthehellisgoingonhere?”

“We’regettingreadyfortherehearsaldinner.”

Motherbustledbymeintothekitchenwithapoinsettiaunderonearmandawhite

wreathundertheother.

“Whatdoyoumeanrehearsaldinner?”

Ihadwokenuptobothofmyparentsrunningaroundwiththeirheadscutoff,and

twopeopleinlivingroomputtinguptwohugeChristmastrees.Itwaschaos.

“ForMelonieandCorey,”shetsked.

Igrabbedacoffeecupfromthecabinetandfilledittothebrim.Iwasgoingtoneed

all of the caffeine possible to deal with whatever was going on. “Should I know who
CoreyandMelonieare?”

“YoumetMelonieyesterdayatCrowneFloral,”Dadcalledfromthepantry.

Well,thatexplainedthatone.“Butwhyareyouhavingtheirrehearsaldinnerhere?”

Motherputherhandsonherhips.“Well,becausethey’regettingmarriedhere,soit

seemsonlyrightthattheyhavetherehearsalhere.”

“CanIaskwhyyouaretalkingtomelikeIshouldknowallofthis?”Isetdownmy

cupandleanedagainstthecounter.Iwashungry,butIneededafewanswersbeforeIdid
anythingelsetoday.

After Dad and I had returned from town, Mother had talked nonstop all the way

throughdinner,butIcouldn’ttellyouawordshehadsaid.Dinnerhadbeendelicious,as
always,andIhadfallenintobedbynineo’clockexhausted.

Theonethingmymotherhadn’ttalkedaboutwasthefactshewasnotonlyhavinga

weddingatthehouse,buttherehearsaldinnertoo.

“Well,Iguessifyouwouldcallme,youwouldknowwhatisgoingon.”

“I’mabusyman,Mother.”

Sherolledhereyesandgrabbedhercupofcoffeefromthecounter.“Ifyoucan’t

takethetimetocallyourmother,thenIthinkyou’retoobusy.”

“We’re not going to discuss my work schedule, Mother. What we are going to

discussiswhyyoutoldmeIwouldregretitfortherestofmylifeifIdidn’tcomeherefor
Christmas.”

Sheflittedherhandatmeandtookasipofcoffee.“Itwastimeforyoutocome

home.”

“What?”Ihuffed.Ihadworriedforthepastfivedaysthateitheroneofmyparents

weredying,ortheywereabouttolosetheirhouseorsomething.“Youmademecomeall
thewayherebecauseyouthoughtitwastimeIcomehome?”

Sheshrugged.“Iknowit’ssomethingthatyoucan’twrapyourheadaround,butI

missedmyson.Iwasgoingtodowhateverittooktogetyoubackhome.Iknowinyour
headyouhatethisplace,butforme,it’shome,andIwantedmyfamilyinoneplacefor
Christmas.YoutookoffforL.A.overeightyearsagoandneverlookedbackonthepeople
youleftbehind.”

“Ididn’tleaveyouandDadbehind.Ihadmyownlifetolive,”Iinsisted.

“I’mnottalkingaboutyourdadandme,son.”Sheshookherhead.“I’mafraidit’s

beentoolong,”shemumbledunderherbreath.

“Toolongforwhat?”Iasked.

“It’sbeentoolongforyoutorealizethethingsyouleftbehindwerethethingsthat

helpedyoubecomethemanyouaretoday.”

Isplayedmyhandsonthecounterandleanedforward.“Ihavenoideawhatyouare

talkingabout.”

“ThenIguessitdoesn’tmatter,andIwaswrong,Silas.”Asadsmilecrossedher

lips. “I need to finish getting ready for tonight. Ainsley will be delivering the flowers
soon,andIneedtomakesurethecaterersareready.”

“Ainsley?”Iasked.Shewasgoingtocomehere?

“Yeah,”sherepliedabsently.“It’soneofthebusiestdaysforherrightnow,butshe

wasniceenoughtodeliversinceit’sforMelonie.”Shewavedherhandatmeandgrabbed
thecordlessphone.“Findsomethingforyourselfforbreakfast,dear.Idon’thavetimeto
makeanythingmorethancoffee.”

Ilookeddownatmyquicklycoolingcoffee.“Thanks,Mother,”Imumbled.

Sheflittedoutofthekitchen,andDadpeekedhisheadoutofthepantry.“Ifounda

boxofPoptarts.Youwantone?”

Jesus.Icouldn’trememberthelasttimeIhadaPoptart.“Whatflavor?”

Ahugegrinspreadacrosshislips.“You’refavorite.BrownSugar.”

Mystomachgrowled,andIfigureditwasbetterthannothing.“I’minaslongas

thatboxisn’tfromwhenIlivedhere.”

Dad moved out of the pantry and shut the door behind him. “Nah, your mother

always buys them in hopes you’ll come home, but I always eat them,” he chuckled. He
handedmeoneofthesilverpackages,anditfeltlikeIwassixteenagain,gettingreadyfor
school.

“So,what’swithyouandMomhavingaweddinghere?”

Dadshruggedandopenedhispackage.“Wehavethisbighousethat’swaytoobig

forjustyourmotherandme,butwedon’twanttogiveitup.”

“Comeon,it’sjustahouse,Dad.YouandMomcouldgetoneofthosenewcondos

IsawwhenIdroveintotown.”

“Rave Heights?” he asked over his shoulder. He filled a cup with coffee and

proceededtodunkhisPoptartinit.“We’renotinterestedinmovingintooneofthoseritzy
places.Welovewhereweliveandhavenoplansofmoving,Si.”

Iopenedmypackandstucktheminthetoaster.“Youknowyou’reeatingthoseall

wrong.”Ilookedovermyshoulderathim.HehadthePoptartraisedmid-airandhishead
tiltedtotheright.“Youneedtoheatthemup,theneatthem.”

“YouthePoptartpolicenowontopofbeingaverybusyman?”hechuckled.

Iheldupmyhandsandturnedbacktothetoaster.“Onlytryingtohelp.”

“Youknowwhatyoucouldhelpmewith?”

MyPoptartspoppedup,andIgrabbedaplatetosetthemon.“What’sthat?”

“Thelightsoutside.Icanhandletheonesinthebackyard,butI’mgoingtoneed

youtodotheonesinfront,ifyoucan.”

“Dad,howmanymorelightscanyouhave?”Planespassingoverheadweregoingto

thinkthehousewasalandingstrip.

“Ijustwantafewfloodlightsandjustacoupleofstringsaroundthecolumnsout

front.”

Irolledmyeyesbutnoddedmyhead.“AssoonasIfinishmygourmetbreakfast,

I’llgetrightonit.”

HewinkedandhelduptheboxofPoptarts.“IknewIcouldcountonyou.I’llleave

theseonthetopshelfifyouwantmorelater.”Heputthembackinthepantryandheaded
outthebackdoorwithhisPoptartsinonehandwhilehehummed“OhChristmasTree”
underhisbreath.

IfinishedmyPoptartandsippedmycoffee.

SoIwashomeforChristmas,nothingwaswrongwithmymotherorfather,and

AinsleyCrownewasstillasbeautifulasever.

Plus,shewasgoingtobehereanytime.Iwasn’tsurehowIfeltaboutthat,butI

knewIneededtogetshoweredanddressedbeforesheshowedup.Becauseeventhough
sheseemedtohateme,Icouldn’thelpbutfeelexcitementattheideaofseeingheragain.

Afterall,shewasmyfirstgirlfriend.Butthenshealsowasthefirsttobreakmy

heart.NotthatIeverletthatshithappenagain.

AinsleywasthefirstandthelastIhadeverletin.

Iwasn’tdumbenoughtomakethatmistaketwice.

*

Chapter5

Ainsley

Ugh.Iknewthathewasgoingtobehere,buthadhopedhewouldhavebeentucked

away in his room making some important phone call, and wouldn’t have to see his
handsomelysmugface.

ButIwasoutofluck.

Hewasoutside,directlyinmypath.

Sonofagun.

IslammedmyhanddownonthesteeringwheelandwonderedifIcouldjustdrop

theflowersonthecurb.Hankwouldn’tappreciateit,though.

“Justgrabtheflowers,walkpasthim,anddropthemoff,”Ipep-talkedmyselfout

loud.Ohhell,whowasIkidding?Therewasn’tawayinhellthatIwasgoingtobeableto
makeitpasthimwithouttalkingtohim.

Last night, I went to bed telling myself that I wasn’t going to see him again.

Reminding myself the man meant absolutely nothing to me. Then, my own mind had
betrayedme,andnotshortlyafterthat,sohadmybody.

Idreamtofhim.

Agooddream.

Okay,okay.Afreakin’hotdreamthatleftmewantinghimsobad,Ihadtopullout

mylittletoytofinishmeoffwhileIrememberedthefeelofhimpressedagainstme.

Myfaceheatedatthewickedhotdream,andIfannedmyselfwithmyhand.“Not

thetimetobethinkingaboutthis,Ainsley,”Imuttered.

So,Silaswasstillsexyashell,butthatdidn’tchangethefacthehadleftanddidn’t

returnuntilovereightyearslater.

“Hey.”

Myhandhitthehorn,andIjumped,hittingmyheadontheceiling.Irubbedmy

headandrolleddownmywindow.“Uh,hi.”

“Youneedhelporsomething?”

Ishookmyheadandturnedoffthevan.“Um,no.IwasjustdoublecheckingthatI

hadeverythingIneeded.”

“Thattakesyoutenminutes?”Silasasked.

Jesus, had I really sat in the driveway for ten minutes? “You know, just making

sure.”

“Ithoughtmaybeyouwereonthephonesinceitlookedlikeyouweretalkingto

someone.”

MyfaceheatedknowingSilashadcaughtmetalkingtomyself.“Uh,no.Itendto,

youknow,talkoutloudtomakesureIhaveeverything.”Likeanidiot.

Asmilespreadacrosshislips,andhepulledmydooropen.“Well,aslongasyou

haveeverything,Icanhelpyouunload.It’llhelpmeoutofunravelingtheballoflights
Dadleftformetohangonthepillars.”

Ilookedupatthehouse.“Itneedsmorelights?Atnight,it’salmostblindingwhen

youdriveby.”

“Tryingsleepingwithlightsglowingintoyourroom.It’samiracleIgotanysleep

atall.”

Igrabbedmyclipboardoffthepassengerseatandsteppedoutofthevan.“Sounds

likeyourparentsneedtoinvestinsomebettercurtains.”IstoodinfrontofSilasandgot
lostinhisgreeneyes.

Weretheyalwaysthatgreen?AllthememoriesIhadofSilashadsomewhatdulled

andblurredovertime.Seeinghimnow,upclose,wasashocktoallofmymemories.

“Eh,onceIfinallyfellasleep,itwasfine.”

Ishookmyheadslightly.“Huh?”Whatwerewetalkingabout?

“Curtains.I’llsurvivewithoutthem.”

Isnappedmyfingersandsmiled.“Ofcourse.”Jesus.Delivertheflowers,andget

thehelloutofherebeforeImadeanevenbiggerfoolofmyself.Myfeetweregluedtothe
ground,andIcouldn’tseemtomovepastSilas.

Hehitchedhisthumboverhisshoulder.“So,aretheflowersintheback?”

“Yes.”

Heclearedhisthroat.“Uh,didyouneedhelp,ordoIhavetogobacktotheworld’s

largestballoflights?”

“Oh,duh,”Imumbled.“Yes,Icouldusethehelp.Ineedtoactuallygetbacktothe

store quickly so I don’t miss the delivery truck with the last of Melonie’s flowers for
tomorrow.”

Silasopenedthebackofthevan,andIcouldn’thelpbutcatchhislookofdisdain.

“Jesus.I’veneverseensomuchredandgreeninoneplacebefore.”

I laughed and grabbed one of the potted pine trees that were decorated with red

bows.“Onceallthesilvercoloreditemscomein,it’llhelpcutthroughalloftheredand
green.”

“I’m gonna have to take your word on that one.” Silas grabbed two more of the

pottedtreesandfollowedmeintothehouse.

“Oh,comeon,youcan’thateChristmasthatmuch.Itlastsforsuchashorttime,

youneedtoembraceitasmuchasyoucan.”Isetthesmalltreesinsidetheentrywayand
lookedupatSilas.“I’mgoingtohavetocallyouScrooge.”

“BahHumbug,”hemutteredwithasmileonhisface.“Idon’tmindChristmas,I

just don’t know why it needs to be shoved down everyone’s throat with green and red
everywhere.”

“Icangetthat.I’mmoreofaniceblueandsilvergirlwhenitcomestodecorating,

butthisisMelonie’swedding,andthisiswhatshewanted.”

Silassetdownthetreesandshrugged.“Iguessyoucan’targuewiththebride,can

you?”

“No,youcan’t,Scrooge.Nowhelpmewiththerest,soIcangetbacktotheshopso

Idon’tmissthedeliverytruck.”

Wetrudgedbacktothevan,andSilasgrabbedthreemoreplantsandabouquet.“I

don’tknowwhyyouneedanymore.Youhavethewholebackofthisvanpackedfull.”

“MostofwhatI’mwaitingonistheflowersforthearchandtheboutonnieresfor

theguys.”

Silashelpedmeunloadtherestofthevanandslammedthebackshut.“Well,I’llbe

here when you come back with your next haul. Those damn lights are more than likely
goingtobethedeathofme.”

I laughed and hopped into the van. “I would just go buy some more from the

hardwarestorebeforetheyclose.Idon’tthinkIhavethepatiencetounravelthatbigol’
ball.”

Heclosedmydoorandleanedintothewindow.“Thatdoesn’tsoundveryfestiveto

me,”hechuckled.

“There’sfestive,andthereiskeepingyoursanity.”

“Youalwaysdidseemtoknowhowtobalancethetwo.”

Itiltedmyheadtotheside.“I’mnotsureifthat’sacomplimentornot.”

“Trustme,itis,Lee.”

Mybreathcaught,andIwastransportedbacktoatimewhereIwashisLee,and

thismanwastheonlythingIcouldsee.Atimewhere,eventhoughIknewhewantedto
leave, I still loved him. “Please, don’t,” I whispered. One word from his lips made me
wishformoretimetobehisLee.

“I’m sorry, Lee.” He stepped back from the van and shoved his hands in his

pockets.

I stabbed the key into the ignition, needing to get away from him before I did

something stupid like telling him I regretted not chasing after him or even telling him I
stilllovedhim.

“JesusChrist,Ainsley,”Imumbledundermybreath.Ibackedoutofthedriveway,

makingsurenottomakeeyecontactwithSilas,andheadedbacktotheshop.

Iwasafoolwhowasapparentlyagluttonforpunishment,becauseIstillloveda

manwhodidn’twantanythingtodowithmeormydreams.

*

Chapter6

Silas

“Takethisoutandputitonthetable.”

Ilookeddownattheplatterthatwasshovedintomyhands.“DoIreallylooklikea

waiter?”

Motherglaredatmeandpointedtowardthediningroom.“Takeitout,orI’llsend

youtoyourroom.”

Ismirkedandsettheplatterdown.“Isthatapromise?”Glancingoutintotheliving

roomandhadtheurgetobolt.Roomafterroom,fullofpeopleIdidn’tknow,buttheyall
actedliketheyknewme.

BackinL.A.,IhadnoproblemwalkingintoaroomfullofpeopleIdidn’tknow,

becausetheyallfearedme.Here,theyallknewmebeforeIbecamethemanIam.They
treatedmeliketheeighteenyearoldboytheyusedtoknow.

IkeptlookingfortheonepersonIwouldn’tmindspendingthenightwith,butshe

wasn’taround.“IfiguredAinsleywouldbeheresincesheisfriendswithMelonie.”

MothersighedandgrabbedtheplatterIhadputdown.“Shewassupposedtobe

here,butshe’sattheshopwaitingonthelastdeliveryofflowers.”

“It’safterseveno’clock.Doesshereallythinktheyaregoingtobedelivered?”I

hadneverknownacompanytodeliverthatlateonaFriday.

“That’s what I said too, but I guess Ainsley had been on the phone with the

company, and they promised that they would be delivered tonight. Something about the
truckbreakingdownafewhoursawayandtheywerewaitingforareplacementtruck.”

“She’sattheshop?”

Shesmiledandnoddedherhead.“Yes,honey.”

“Youneedmehere?”Iasked.

“What do you mean? You better not be thinking of going back to L.A. You

promisedyouwouldbeheretillthetwenty-fifth.”

Ishookmyheadandgrabbedanemptyplate.“No,I’mnotgoingbackrightnow,

Mother.”

Imademywayaroundtheplattersoffoodandfilledtheplateinmyhand.

“What are you doing? We’ll be serving dinner in five minutes, Silas. Don’t you

thinkyoucanwait?”

Ilaughedandshookmyhead.“Thisisn’tforme.”Theplatewasmoundedupwith

food,andIsetitonthecounternexttothecoffeemaker.“Youhaveoneofthosetravel
cups?”Iasked.

She came to stand next to me and opened the cabinet. “Here.” She handed me a

largethermosandleanedagainstthecounterasIfilleditwithcoffee.“Silas,Iknowwhat
you’reabouttodo,butIhavetosay,Ihopeyouknowwhatyou’redoingmeans.”

Iknewwhatitmeant.Atleast,IthinkIdid.“Thingsaredifferent,Mother.”

“Differenthow?”

“Different in the way that I’m not dumb enough to go over to Ainsley’s without

knowingitmeanssomethingmorethanbeingfriendly.”

“Youhurther,Silas.Youweren’there,soyoudidn’tseewhatyourleavingdidto

her.”

I screwed on the cover to thermos and set it next to the plate. “We both made

mistakesbackthen.OnesIdon’twanttodiscusswithyou.”

SherolledhereyesandgrabbedtheSaranwrapfromthedrawer.“Trytakingthe

stick out of your ass before you go over there,” she advised. She covered the plate with
plasticwrapandhandedittome.“Alotoftimehasgoneby,Silas,butthewoundsarestill
there.Trytoseethingsfromherside.”

Igrabbedtheplateandtuckedthethermosundermyarm.“That’swhyI’mgoing

overthere.Idon’tknowwhat’sgoingtohappen,butIknowweneedtotalk.Ifshe’sjust
sittingthere,wemightaswelljustgetitoverwith.”

Shegrabbedmyarmandheldittight.“Butifallyou’regoingtodoisleavefor

anothereightyears,Silas,don’tdothis.Leaveheralone.”

Ipressedakisstothesideofherhead.“That’snotsomethingIcando,Mother.”

Justlikebefore,Ainsleypulledmetoher,andtherewasnothingIcoulddotoresist

it. I saw the hurt in her eyes when I called her Lee, and all I wanted to do was make it
rightandtakebacktheshittythingsIhaddonetoher.

Shelaidherhandagainstmycheek.“Makeitrightthen,Silas.”

IgrabbedmykeysfromthehookbythebackdoorandheadedtoCrowneFloral.

Itwastimetoseeifitwastoolatetofinallyfollowmyheart.

*

Chapter7

Ainsley

IwaslostontheweirdsideofYouTubewhenaloudpoundingonthefrontdoor

mademejump,andmyphoneflewoutofmyhand.

“It’saboutdamntime,”Imumbledwithmyhandonmychest.Theflowerdelivery

dudemayhavegivenmeaheartattack,butatleasthewasfinallyhere.“I’mcoming.”

Ihadbeencampedoutinthebackroomeatingmyweightinsugarcookiesforthe

pastthreehours.Mybutthurtfromsittingonthehardstool,andmybackhurtfrombeing
hunchedoverthephoneonthebench.

“Ainsley.”

Whointhehellwasshoutingmyname?IpeekedaroundtheshelfandsawSilasat

thedoorholdingaplateandathermos.

Ijumpedbackandflattenedmyselfagainstthewall.ThiswasnotwhatIwanted.

Ilookeddownatmygrayjoggingpantsandblackshirtandcringed.WhileSilas

lookedlikehehadwalkedoffthepagesofamagazine,IlookedlikeIhadjustrolledout
ofbed.

“Ainsley,areyouinthere?”

Jesus. He sounded desperate. My idea of running upstairs flew out the window

knowinghewasn’tgoingtowait.

Thankfully,thelightswereoffinthefrontoftheshop,andhewouldn’tbeableto

seewhatIlookedlikeinthedimlighting.

IgaveasmallwavewhenIreachedthedoorandflippedthelock.“Hey.”

“Wherewereyou?I’vebeenknockingforfiveminutes.Iwasworriedsomething

hadhappenedtoyou.”SilasWarlackworryingaboutme.Thatwasnew.

“Uh,Iwasjustinthebackroomworkingon,um,stuff.”Waswatchingcatvideos

consideredstuff?

Hehelduptheplateandthermos.“CanIcomein?Ifiguredyoumustbehungry

waitingaround.”

“Oh,well,IliveupstairssoIranupforsomedinner.”

Heloweredtheplate.“Oh,well.MindifIcomeinandeatthen?Ikindofgrabbed

thisandranbeforedinnerwasserved.”

Itiltedmyheadtotheside.“Youwanttocomeintoeat?Withme?”

Heclearedhisthroatandshookthethermos.“YoucandrinkcoffeewhileIeat,so

youdon’thavetowatchmestuffmyface.”

Iheldopenthedoorandsteppedback.“Comeonin.”Ididn’thaveareasonwhyhe

couldn’tcomein,andtobehonest,thethoughtofspendingtimewithSilaswasappealing.

Hemovedpastme,andIclosedthedoor.

“I,uh,didn’ttellyoubeforebecauseIwassoshockedtoseeyou,butyourshopis

pretty amazing.” He turned in a slow circle, taking everything in. “I knew you loved
flowers,butIneverimaginedyouowningaplacelikethis.”

CrowneFloralreallywasasighttobeseen.Whileontheoutside,itseemedlike

youraveragebrickbuilding,insidewaswarmandinvitingwithvariouspottedplantsand
arrangementssituatedondifferentshelves,racks,andchairs.“Um,thanks.She’skindof
mybaby.”

Hesmiledandsettheplateandthermosonthefrontcounter.“It’sreallygreat,Lee.”

Iclosedmyeyesandsighed.“Iusedtolovewhenyoucalledmethat.”

“Andnow?”heaskedquietly.

“Andnow,Idon’tknowwhythehellyou’reback,andmoreimportantly,Idon’t

knowwhythehellyou’reherewithaplateoffoodandenoughcoffeetokeepmeawake
allnight.”

Heshrugged.“BecauseitseemedlikewhatIshoulddo.”

“Whatyoushoulddo,orwhatyourmotherorMelonieputyouupto?”

Heranhisfingersthroughhishair.“Honestly,I’mprettysuremymotherwastrying

to talk me out of coming here, and I didn’t see Melonie at all. I heard her, but I didn’t
ventureintothelivingroomfullofpeopleIdidn’treallywanttobearound.”

“Yourmothertriedtotalkyououtofcominghere?”Thatwassurprising.Whenever

hismomandItalked,sheseemedtoworkSilasintotheconversation.

“Uh,yeah.ShewasafraidthatIwasgoingtosomehowmessthingsup.”

Ihummedandnoddedmyhead.Ihadnocluewhattosaytothat.ThelasttimeI

hadseenSilaseightyearsago,wehadbothmessedup.“So,youreallywannaeat?”This
washisout.

Helookeddownattheplate.“Aslongasyouhaveamicrowavetoheatthatup,

thenyeah.Yousureyoudon’twantanyofit?”

I rubbed my stomach. “I’m pretty sure I ate more sugar cookies than an average

humanbeingshould.”

“Sugarcookies?”

Ilaughedandgrabbedthethermosofcoffeeoffthecounter.“Iforgothowbigofa

sweettoothyouhad.”

“Stillhave,”hemumbled.

We walked into the back room, and I pointed to the microwave. “I may live

upstairs,butIspendmoretimedownhere.Youcanjustpopthatintothere.”

Heremovedtheplasticwrapandtosseditintothegarbagecan.“Iknowhowthat

goes.Iwon’ttellyouhowmanymorningsJaninehaswokemeupwithmyheadonmy
deskanddroolcomingfrommymouth.”

“Janine?”Icringedknowingitwasn’tmybusinesswhoJaninewas.

Helookedoverhisshoulderandsmiled.“Mysecretary.”Heplacedtheplateinthe

microwaveandturnedaround.“Doyouhaveacat?”

Iquirkedmyeyebrowandtiltedmyhead.“That’saweirdquestion.”

Hewavedhishand.“It’sjustthatIheardacat.”

Crap, my phone. I had tossed it when he had pounded on the door, and I had

forgottentograbitoffthefloor.“Um,Ithinkthat’smyphone.Idon’thaveacat.”

“Whydoesyourphonesoundlikeacat?”

Icroucheddownandsearchedthefloorformyphone.“Um,well,Ithrewit.”That

explained nothing. I dropped down to my hands and knees, crawling toward the shelf
behindwhereIwassitting.“Whereintheheckdiditgo?”Imumbled.Icouldhearadamn
catmeowing,butIcouldn’ttellwhereitwascomingfrom.

“Gotit,”Silascalled.

Themeowinggotlouder,andIlookeduptoseeSilaslookingatmyphonewithhis

lipcurled.“Lee,whatinthehellwereyouwatching?”

Ugh.Ijumpupfromthefloorandsnatchedthephonefromhishand.“Iwasjust

tryingtopasstime.”

Helaughedputhishandsinhispockets.“Iguessthat’sonewaytopasstime.”

Istoppedthevideoandtosseditontheworkbench.Damncatvideos.

Silasgrabbedhisplatefromthemicrowaveandsatdownattheworkbench.“Sois

thatthenewvirtualcatlady?Youdon’townthecats,butyoujustwatchvideosofthem?”

“Don’tbeadick,”Ilaughed.“Iwasboredoutofmymindwaitingforthesedamn

flowersIdoubtareevengoingtoshowup.”

Helookedupatmeandsmiled.“Atleastyou’reahotcatlady.”

Ismackedhimontheshoulderandpointedathisplate.“Keepitup,andIwon’tget

youafork.”

Helookeddownandfrowned.“Touché,Lee.Ipromisetokeepthecatladyjokesto

aminimum.”

Ituggedopenadrawerunderthemicrowaveandpulledoutafork.“Thatminimum

betterbenone,oryou’regoingtoeatthatwithyourfingers.Youwouldn’twanttodrop
anythingonyourprettydesignerclothes.”

He chuckled and pulled the plate close to him. “Should I be flattered that you

noticedmyclothes?”

Ihandedhimtheforkandsatonthestoolnexttohim.Normally,Isatbackhere

working on the books or on arrangements, so it was odd to be here with Silas. He was

invadingtheworldIhadcreated,andasstrangeasitwas,heseemedtofit.

He pushed the thermos toward me. “Now you can have coffee with your sugar

cookies.”

“I think I’ll just have coffee.” I grabbed my cup I had brought down earlier and

filledittothebrim.“Didyouwantsome?”

Heshookhishead.“I’llhavesomewhenyoushareyourcookiestashwithme.”

“There’snotmuchleft,butIthinkIcanspareacoupleforyou.”

Silashadhalftheplateoffoodgone,andIhadrefilledmycupbeforehespoke.“So

tellmeaboutyourlife,Lee.WhathaveImissed?”

Isighedandlookeddownatmycup.“You’resittinginit.”Theshopwasmylife.

Helookedupatme.“Therehastobemorethanthat.”

I shook my head. “Nope. I saved up for a couple of years, and six years ago, I

opened the doors of Crowne Floral. The first four years, I struggled, basically begging
peopletobuyfromme,andthenitsuddenlychanged.Istartedgettingweeklyordersfrom
the local nursing home and hospital, I started marketing weekly specials, and the rest is
history.CrowneFloralisintheblack,andIcanfinallysleepatnight.”

Asmilespreadacrosshislips.“Thatsoundslikethepasteightyearsforme.”

Ilaughedandtookasipofmycoffee.“Idon’tthinkanyonewouldcomparemytiny

flowershoptoWarlackInvestments.”

Heshruggedandpushedtheplateaway.“Iwouldn’tsaythat.Webothknewwhat

wewanted,andwewentafterit.”

“Idon’tthinkmyflowershophasanythingonyourmulti-milliondollarbusiness.”

“Iassumeyouownthebuildingifyouliveupstairs?”

Inodded.“Yup.Iliveinonehalf,andMelonieandCoreyliveintheotherhalf.”

Helookedupandtiltedhishead.“Thathastobeconvenient.”

“Convenientandacurse.Ialwaysseemtobeworking.”

Ahandsomesmilespreadacrosshislips.“WereallyhavemoreincommonthanI

thoughtwewould.”

Alaughedbubbledfrommylips.“Wehadnothingincommoneightyearsago.I

findithardtobelievethatafteryoumovingtoL.A.andallthistime,wesuddenlyhave
thingsincommon.”

“Oppositesattracted,Lee.YouandIweregoodtogether.”

“Were,isthekeywordinthatsentence.Although,itmustnothavebeenthatgood

sinceyouleft.”IwishIcouldhaveblamedmybluntwordsontoomuchbooze,orhell,
even insanity, but I couldn’t. Silas had hurt me all those years ago, and with him sitting
nexttome,allthefeelingsIhadburied,surfaced.

“Itwasgood,Lee.Betterthangood,itwasfuckingfantastic.Wejustdidn’tknow

it.”

“Speakforyourself,”Imumbled.IhadknownSilasandIweregood.Myheartfell

inlovewiththemanafterourseconddate,andIwasonlyseventeen.Backthen,Iknew
whatlovewas,andstillfeltthesame.

“Iam,Lee.Ileft,butyoudidn’ttrytostopme.”

I gasped and slapped my hand down on the counter. “I didn’t stop you?” I

screeched.“WhatwasIsupposedtodo?Laydowninthemiddleoftheroadinfrontof
yourcar?”

“Itwouldhavebeenbetterthanyounotsayinganythingatall.”

“So it’s all on me then? You left because I didn’t stop you.” Fucking asshole. I

pushedawayfromthetableandsnatchedupmycoffeecup.

Silas grabbed my arm as he stood and pulled me to him. “No, that’s not what I

meant,Ainsley.”

“Well,that’swhatyoujustsaid.”

“Ijust…Iwouldhave…Sonofabitch,thisshitisstillhardaftereightyears,”he

sighed.

“Well,letmemakeiteasierforyoubytellingyoutogetout.”

“No,”hethundered.“We’renotdoingthatagain.”

Ipulledmyarmoutofhisholdandcrossedthemovermychest.Itiltedmyhead

back and looked up at him. “Then you better tell me what the hell it is we’re actually
doinghere.”

“I’m here to tell you sorry, dammit. I was a downright fool to leave you. Even

though we both had different dreams, I should have fought for you. Fought for us.” He
hunghisheadandshovedhishandsinhispockets.“I’mjustsorry,Ainsley.”

“Well…that’s not at all what I thought you were going to say.” I figured he was

goingtospewsomemorebullshitaboutmenotaskinghimtostay.Iclearedmythroatand
satbackdown.“Isupposeyoudon’thavetoleavenow.”

“Well,that’sgoodtohear.Myapologizinghasgainedmeafewmoreminutesin

yourpresence.”

I looked up at him and smiled. “It wasn’t your entire fault, Silas. I mean, the

majorityofitwasyourfault,butIwilltakealittlesliveroftheblame.”

“Youwerealwaysthehumbleone,”hechuckled.

“Ididn’taskyoutostayortogowithyou,becauseIdidn’twanttoholdyouback.I

neverwantedtoleave,butIknewyoudid.IfIwouldhavewentwithyou,Iwouldhave
been miserable. And if you would have stayed, then you would have been miserable.
Therewasnowinningbackthen.”

“So instead, we both had to be miserable? That first year was so goddamn hard,

Lee. I can’t tell you how many times I looked up plane tickets to fly back to you. All I

wantedwastocomehomeandbewithyou.”Hesteppedforwardandcuppedmycheek.

Itiltedmyheadbackandlookedupathim.“Ithoughtaboutyouallthetime.After

youleft,allIdidwasworkandsleep.Ididn’twanttodoanythingatall.Yourmomand
dadweretheonestohelpsnapmeoutofitandmademerealize,eventhoughyouwere
gone,itdidn’tmeanIhadtofadeaway.”

“Wewerebothfools.IthrewmyselfintoworksoIwouldn’tthinkaboutyou.”

Asadsmilecrossedmylips.“Atleastsomethinggoodcameoutofusbreakingup.

Webothhadourdreamscometrue.”

Heshookhishead.“Notmyfulldream.IwantedyoubymysidewhenImademy

firstmillion.IwantedyoutobetherewhenIbuiltmyfirstbuilding.Iwantedyoutobe
theoneIcamehometoatnight.Ijustwantedyoutobethere.Thatwastheonepartofmy
dreamInevergot.”

“Oh,Silas.We’rebothpathetic,”Ilaughed.“Wewantedeachother,butwewere

bothtoostubborntosayanything.”

“Then let’s fix this. Tell me what you want right now, right here. No filter, no

worryingaboutwhattheotherwillthink.Ijustwanttoknowwhatyouwant.”

Iclosedmyeyesandtookadeepbreath.“Iwantyoutokissme.”

*

Silas

Youknowwhenyougetsuckerpunched,andyoucan’tbreathe?

Ainsleysuckerpunchedmerightinthegut.Ihadexpectedhertosayanythingelse

butthat.

“Lee,Idon’t…Ijust…”Yup,thewomanIlovedeightyearsago,andstillloved,

askedmetokissherandI’mastutteringjackasstryingtotalkheroutofit.

She slowly opened her eyes. “I’m not going to make the same mistakes we did

before.YouaskedmewhatIwanted,andItoldyou.Now,areyougoingtogivemewhatI
want,oramIgoingtohavetotakeit?”

“SoifIdon’tkissyou,you’regoingtotacklemeandtakeyourkiss?”

Shetiltedherheadtotherightandsmiled.“Ihadn’tplannedontacklingyou,butif

that’swhatyouwant,I’mnotopposedtoit.”

“Fuckit,”Igrowled.Iwasn’tgoingtobeafoolanymore.Igrabbedheraroundthe

waistandpulledhertome.Shewoundherarmsaroundmyneck,andIcouldn’thelpfeel
like the clueless seventeen year old who wanted everything the world had to give,
includingthisgirl.“IfIkissyou,Ican’tpromiseI’llletyougo.Ever.”

“Thenit’sagoodthingIlikebeinginyourarms,”shewhisperedagainstmylips.

Ikissedher.IkissedherwitheverythingIhadbeenhidingforthepasteightyears.

Hersoftlipsbeneathmineyieldedtomyneedandgave,whileallIcoulddowastake.Her
handsdelvedintomyhair,holdingmeclosewiththeunspokenpromiseshewasn’tgoing

toletmegoeither.

“Holycrap,”shegasped.Herdeepbrowneyeslookedupatme,andshesighed.

“ThatwaswaybetterthanIremembered.”

Ibrushedherhairbackfromherfaceandpressedakisstoherforehead.“Ithink

that had something to do with the fact that neither of us are inexperienced teenagers
anymore.”

“ThankGodforthat,”shegiggled.

Iglancedattheclockonthewall.“Sohowlongareyousupposedtowaitforyour

flowersandshittoshowup?”Itwashalfpastnine,andasniceastheflowershopwas,I
washopingthatwewouldbeabletomoveourreunionupstairs.

Shesighedandrestedherheadonmyshoulder.“Ugh,I’mprettysuremyflowers

aren’t going to show up tonight. I’m going to need a Christmas miracle for those damn
thingstomakeitherebeforeMelonie’sweddingtomorrow.”

“IsthereanythingIcando?”Iasked.IwouldmoveHeavenandEarthatthispoint

justtomakeherhappy.

“Unlessyouhaveasemiinyourpocket,nothingisgoingtohelp.”

“Well,thatisonethingIdon’thave.Canyoumakeitworkwiththeflowersand

treesthatyoudroppedofftoday?”Ifyouaskedme,therewasmorethanenoughplantsat
Mother’s for a wedding, but I wasn’t a florist like Ainsley, who actually knew what she
wasdoing.

“Yeah,butMelonie’sbouquetwasonthere,alongwithalltheboutonnieres.”

Ilookedaround.“Youdon’thavestuffaroundherethatcouldwork?”

“Yeah,butit’snothinglikeMeloniewanted.”

“Whattimeistheweddingtomorrow?”

“Six.Shewantsittobedark,soallthelightstwinkleandshine.”

“Howlongisitgoingtotakeforyoutomakeallthatstuff?”

Shetiltedherheadbackandlookedupatme.“Afewhours.What’swithallthe

questions?”

“I’mdoingwhatI’vebecomegoodat,solvingproblems.Ithinkyoushouldcallita

nightandstartfreshinthemorning.You’llhavemorethanenoughtimetogeteverything
doneandstillbeovertoMother’sbeforetheweddingstarts.”

Sheleanedbackinmyarmsandlookedupatme.“Isthatwhatyouthink?”she

laughed.“AndjustwhatamIgoingtobedoingfortherestofthenight?”

“IthoughtmaybeyouandIcouldfinishcatchingup.”

Sherestedherarmsonmyshoulders.“Youdid,huh?Andjustwhatdidyouhavein

mind?”

“You’lljusthavetoinvitemeupstairs,soIcanshowyou.”

*

Chapter8

Ainsley

Silas’handslowlycreptundermyshirtandrestedonmyribcage.

Weweresprawledoutonmycouch,Silaswithhisbackagainstthecouch,andmy

backwaspressedtohisfront.Wewerehalfwaythroughwhatevermoviewasplayingon
Hallmark,exceptneitheroneofuscaredaboutwhatwasgoingon.

“YoustillfeellikeHeaven,”hewhisperedinmyear.“Icouldnevereraseyoufrom

mymemory.”Hislipsgrazedmyear,andatremorrockedmybody.

“Itwasalwaysyou,Silas,”Imoanedashislipspressedagainstmyneck,leavinga

trailofhotandwetkissesintheirwake.EverymanwhoIhaddatedafterSilasvanished
assoonashislipshadtouchedmine.

“God,Imissedyou.”Hishandslidtothewaistbandofmypants,andhechuckled.

“Ihavetosay,I’mafanofthesepants.Mucheasiertodealwiththanjeans.”

“I’mgladyouapproveofmycasualattire.”

Heslippedhishandinsideandcaressesmythigh.“Ifthisistoomuch,Lee,justtell

metostop.”

Ishookmyhead.“Isitweirdtosayitfeelsjustright?Iknowit’sbeenyears,butit

feelslikeyouneverleftnow.”Iwassoweakwhenitcametothisman.Hehadhurtme
before,butIcouldn’thelpbutnotforgivehim.

“Notweirdatall,becauseIfeelthesameway.”

His hand cupped my mound, and I pressed into his hand, needing more. I rolled

over,needingtofeelhislipsagainstmine.“Kissme,Silas,”Iwhispered.

“God dammit, Ainsley. How the hell do you make me feel like a horny sixteen-

year-oldwithjustthreewordsisbeyondme,butI’mnotgoingtofightit.”

Hislipscrasheddownonmine,andhishandmovedtomybutt,pressingmetight

againsthim.Myhandsslidunderhissweater,pullingituptoexposehischest.Thefeelof
hisbareskinundermyhandsdrovemeinsane,feedingmyneedtobewithhim.

Webothsatupinsyncandpulledourshirtsoverourheads.Theysailedthroughthe

air and landed in a pile by the TV. He pulled me onto his lap, my thighs straddling his
waist. “I have to say, Lee, you definitely became one hell of a woman.” His hands
kneadedmybreaststhroughmybra,andhiseyesdarkenedwithlust.

I reached behind me and unhooked my bra, letting it slide down my arms, and

droppeditonthefloorwithourshirts.“IthinkmaybeyouneedtoseejusthowmuchI’ve
grownupinamorehands-onapproach.”

His hands squeezed my breasts, and his thumbs flicked my hard nipples. “Fuck

me,”hegrowled.

“Youalwayswereaboobman,”Ilaughed.

Heleanedforwardandsuckedmynippleintohismouth.Mybackbowed,pressing

closertohim.

“Goddamn,youareperfect,”hemumbledagainstmybreast.“Makesmewonderif

therestofyouisasperfect.”Hishandswenttothewaistbandofmypants,andheworked
them over my butt and down my thighs. I lifted up, and he pulled them off one leg at a
timeandtossedthemonthefloor.

I sat back down and looked into his eyes. “I think you have the advantage right

now.”Restingmyhandsonthebulgeinhispants.Hebuckedhishipsatmytouchandlaid
hisheadback.

“Pretty sure you always have the advantage, Lee, because all you need to do is

touchme,andI’myours.”

“Thenwebettergetthesepantsoff.”Ishimmedoffhislapandstoodup.

Hiseyestraveledthelengthofmybody,andheslightlyshookhishead.“ThisisnothowI
imaginedthisnightgoing,butIamnotgoingtocomplainonebit.”

Ishimmiedmypantiesdownmylegs,thencuppedmybreastswithmyhands,and

bitmylip.“Smartman,”Iwhispered.

He shot up from the couch and yanked his pants and boxers off in record time.

“Comehere,”hegrowled.“It’sbeenwaytoolong.”

Mybodymoldedagainsthis,andIwrappedmyarmsaroundhisneck.Hisarms

circledmywaist,andheliftedmeupasmylegswrappedaroundhiswaist,andhewalked
tomybedattheotherendoftheapartment.“Ihavetosay,Ilikethatyoudon’thaveany
walls,”hemumbled.

Ilaughedanddelvedmyfingersintohishair.“It’sabitawkwardwhenpeopleare

overwhentheyhavetousethebathroom,butImakeitwork.”Thebathroomwasinthe
corner,andwhiletherewerewallsaroundit,theydidn’tgoallthewaytotheceiling.It
wasopenconceptonawholenewlevel.

“Ilikeit,Lee.Yourapartmentscreamsyou.”

“What,likeI’mopen?”

Silasthrewmeonthebedandshookhishead.“No,Imeanallthesmalltouches

youdidtomakeityours.It’swarmandinviting,justlikeyou.”

Ileanedupandrestedonmyelbows.“IguessI’llacceptthat.Now,areyougoing

tojoinme,orareyoujustgoingtostaredownatmeallnight?”

Heputonekneeonthebed.“Impatient,”hetsked.

Irubbedmylegstogetherandsighed.Hegraspedhisrockharddickandstroked

slowly.“Icouldhelpyouwiththat,ifyouwant.”

“Oh,Ainsley,I’vegotlotsofwaysforyoutohelpme.Rightnow,I’vegotmyeye

onthatsweetpussyofyours.”

Andthat,rightthere,iswhenmybodywentupinflames,andIknewIwasnever

lettingthismango.IwouldfollowhimtotheendsoftheEarthbecauseIknewIwouldn’t
beabletolivewithouthimagain.

Hecrawledontothebedandrestedhishandonmyknees.Islowlypartedmylegs,

and he laid down on his stomach. His lips were directly above my pussy, and my body
hummedwithanticipation.

Hisfingerspartedmylips,andhegentlyblewonmyclit.“You’resowet,Lee.”

Ilookeddownathim,andoureyeslocked.“Prettysure,that’sallyourdoing.”

“ThenIguessIbetterbetheonetofixit,”herumbled.Hisheadducked,andthe

nextthingIknew,myheadflewbackashistongueflickedmyclit,andmyhandsgripped
theblanketbeneathus.

“Oh,myGod,”Igasped.Silaslicked,sucked,andnibbledmeallthewaytothe

edgeofmyorgasm,andthenthefuckerstopped.

Helookedupatme,asmileonhisface.“JesusChrist,Ainsley.Doyouhaveany

ideahowharditwasformetostop?”hepanted.

I bucked my hips and threw my hands in the air. “No one asked you to stop.” I

closedmyeyes,andtriednottokneehimintheheadfornotfinishing.

“Iknow,Lee,butIwantyoucomingaroundmydickthefirsttime.”

CrackingoneeyeopenandlookingdownathimIsassed,“Firsttime?Doesthat

implytherewillbeasecond?”

“Oh yeah, baby. I can even guarantee a third.” He worked his way up my body,

trailingkissesthewholeway.“Butthatfirsttime?Thatfirsttimeismydickburieddeep
insideyousoyouknowwhoyoubelongto.”

Imoanedashishandsliddownbetweenus,andhisdicknudgeditswayintome.“I

acceptthat,”Igasped.

“Goodgirl,”hewhisperedinmyear.Heleanedback,grabbedmylegs,andspread

mewideasheplungeddeepinsideme.“Idreamedofthis,Lee.Idreamedofyoursweet,
lushbodybeneathmine.Evenathousandmilesapart,Ineededyou.”

Iclosedmyeyesandenjoyedthefeelofhisbody.“Ithinkwewerehavingthesame

dream.”IlosttrackofthetimesIwouldwakeupmissinghavinghimnexttome.

Hefellontopofme,hisarmsbracedonthebed,cagingmein,whilehepounded

intome.“MyLee,”hechanted.“You’vealwaysbeenmine.”

Iwrappedmyarmsaroundhiswaistandscrapedmynailsupanddownhisback.

“Yes,”Icried.

AlltheyearsofSilasbeinggonemeltedawayinthosemoments.Hemayhaveleft,

buthewasbacknow.“Silas,please,”Icried.

Hishandsnakeddownbetweenusandfoundmyclit.“Comeforme,Lee.Comeall

overmydick.”

Ithrewmyheadbackashestrokedmyclit,andstarsexplodedbehindmyeyes.

“Yes,” he groaned. I opened my eyes, knowing I needed to see all of the

gorgeousnessthatwasSilasWarlack.

Mypussymilkedhisdick,squeezingeverylastdropofcumfromhim.Alowgroan

camefromhislips,andhiseyesconnectedwithmine.“Iloveyou,”hegasped.

Myheartsoared,andtearsrushedtomyeyes.Themanwhohadbrokenmyheart

andleftmealone,wasback.“Iloveyou,too.”

*

Chapter9

Ainsley

“Holycrap.Youaredownrightamazing,”Meloniegasped.

IlookedaroundtheWarlack’slivingroomandhadtoagree.Ihadtransformedtheir

large living and dining room into a winter wonderland with small potted trees and
gorgeouspoinsettias.Nottomentionthetwentyotherarrangementsscatteredaroundthe
roomandhouse.

“Yeah, even with that missing delivery truck, everything still turned out pretty

awesome.”

Melonieheldherbouquetouttomeandslightlybowed.“Ihavenoideahowyou

madethis,butIknowyouarethemaster.Iwon’tevenstartgushingabouthowperfectthe
boutonnieresturnedout.”

“You’retoomuch,Mel,”Ilaughed.

AfterSilasandIhadspentthenightgettingacquaintedwithoneanother,hehad

madebreakfastwhileIworkedintheshoptryingtopiecetogethersomethingforMelonie
thatwouldworkinapinch.Fromthewayshewasgushingovereverything,IknewIhad
doneagoodjob.

“Ihavetosay,thisisevenbetterthanwhatwehadplannedout.”

Iwouldn’tgothatfar,butitwasprettyamazing.Brightredswithlushgreensmade

theperfectbouquetthatpoppedoffthebrightwhiteofhergown.

“Shedidamazing.”

Mel and I both turned to see Silas standing next to archway I had also hodge-

podgedtogether.“I’mprettysureyou’rebiased,”Ilaughed.

Asmiletouchedhislips,andhedidn’tneedtospeak.Iknewwhathewasthinking.

“Holyhell.That’swhereyouwerelastnight,”Melonieexclaimed.“Yourmomhad

saidyouhadwenttoyourbedearly.”

“Well,”hechuckled,“Iwenttobedearly,itjustwasn’tmybed.”

Meloniethrewherhandsintheair.“It’saChristmasmiracle,”shecried.

Igrabbedherandshookmyhead.“Bringitdownanotch,girl.Thisisyourday,not

mine.”

Shescoffedandbunchedherdressinherhandsoshecouldwalk.WhileMelonie

lookedamazing,herfulldresswasabithardtowalkin.“Ohplease.Yougettingsomeis
definitelysomethingtocelebrate.”

Meloniescutteredoffdownthehallwaychatteringabouttellingeveryone.

“Yousureyoudon’twanttostopher?”Silasasked.

Iturnedtolookathim.“Doyouwantmeto?”Washehavingsecondthoughts?Did

henotwantanyonetoknowaboutus?Wasthisjustaone-timething?HadIreadthisall
wrong?

“Ainsley,”hecalled.

Myeyesfocusedonhim.“Oh,myGod.”

“Comehere.”

Imindlesslywalkedtohimandface-plantedintohischest.“Youdon’twantthis,do

you?”

Hisbodywentsolidunderme,andhegrabbedmebytheshoulders.Hepushedme

backandlookeddownatme.“Whatinthehellareyoutalkingabout?”

“YouaskedmeifIwantedMelonietotelleveryone.Thatmeansyoudon’twanther

to.”

“Whereinthehelldidyougetthatfrom?Ijustmeant,didyouwanttobetheoneto

tellpeopleandnother?”

Iblinkedslowly.“Really?”

“Yeah, really. You know as soon as my mother finds out, everyone is going to

know.”

“ButI’mokaywiththat.”

Henoddedhishead.“Good,becausefromthechattercomingfromthehallway,I

wouldhavetosayoursecretisout.”

“Areyouokaywiththat?”

“Youdidn’thearawordIsaidlastnight,didyou?”heasked.

Ihadheardthem,butIwasn’tsureif,inthelightofday,hemeantthem.“Iheard

them,Iguessanewdaybringsquestionsanddoubts.”

“Whatquestions?”

“Howdowedothis,Silas?Idon’twanttoleave,andyouhavealifeinL.A.”

Heshookhishead.“Lee,Idon’tthinkthat’saproblematall.Youlivehere,andI

planoncomingtovisitahellofalotmore.Plus,I’dlovetoshowyouL.A.”

“Really?”Iasked.

“Yes.Iwanttoshareeverythingwithyou,Ainsley,andthatmeansL.A.too.”

“I’dreallylikethat.”

“Ifiguredyouwould,”hechuckled.“Although,I’mgoingtomissthehelloutof

youwhenwe’rehalfwayacrossthecountryfromeachother.Ijustgotyouback,andI’m
notlookingforwardtothedayswhereIcan’ttouchyou.”

Asmirkspreadacrossmylips.“Haveyoueverheardofsexting?”

TheEnd

AbouttheAuthor

WinterTraversisadevotedwife,mother,andauntturnedauthorwhowasbornandraisedinWisconsin.Afterabrief

stintinSouthCarolinafollowingherhearttochasethemanwhoisnowherhubby,theyretreatedbackupNorthtothe

changingseasons,andtotheplacetheynowcallhome.

Winterspendsherdayswritinghappilyeverafters,andhernightszippingaroundonherforkliftatwork.Shealsohasan

addictiontoanythingMCrelated,herdogThunder,andMexicanfood!(Tamales!)

Winterlovestostayconnectedwithherreaders.Don’thesitatetoreachoutandcontacther.

www.facebook.com/wintertravers

Twitter:@WinterTravers

Instagram:@WinterTravers

http://500145315.wix.com/wintertravers

CheckouttheWholeScroogedCollaborationthisholiday

season.

Braxton

BSMStoneking

WhenhisparentsdieinacarcrashjustbeforeChristmas,andtheabusiveorphanagehe’ssenttogrowupinkickshim

outthedaybeforeChristmasEve,BraxtonScroogechoosestoleavetheonepersonwhocompleteshim,leavingherin

tearsonChristmasDay,tobecomeacoldbig-shotmillion-dollarbusinessowner.

ForgettheGhostofChristmasPast.WithahistorylikeBraxtonScrooge’s,howcouldoneeverenjoytheChristmas

season?

Braxtonregretsnothing—untilhistruelove,Gemma,re-entershislife.OnlytheGhostofChristmasFuturecangivehim

therealitycheckheneedstostopbeingsuchavengefulscrooge—beforehelosesherforever.

Whenitcomestolove,therealquestiontoaskyourselfis,howfarareyouwillingtogotoensureyourpartnerstillfeels

yourloveevenafteryou’veleftherside?BecausetheloveBraxtonandGemmarekindlewillturnouttobethemost

unconventionalloveyou’lleverfind.

Brendan

JenniferDomenico

IhateChristmas.Hate.Ihavemyreasons,noneofwhichItalkabout.Ever.Itsuitsmejustfinetowallowinmisery

everyyearfromlateNovembertoJanuary.Ijustwanttobeleftaloneinmyquiethomefarawayfromthenonsenseof

theseason.

Unfortunately,oneofSanta’selvesjustboughttheunitnexttomine,sprinklingherridiculousfestivespiritallovermy

perfectlyinsulatedexistence.ButshecanspreadalltheChristmascheershewants.Ithasnoeffectonme.

Atleastthat’swhatIkeeptellingmyself.

Daxton

JuliaGoda

DaxtonMcArthurisasuccessfulbutcoldbusinessman.Forreasonsheneverdiscusses,hehasnotimeforthefrivolities

theChristmasseasonbrings.Asurlymannormally,heturnsitupanotchwhenSanta’selvescomeouttoplay.Thisyear,

thatpersonalityflawmightcosthim.

Insteadoffindingjoybyhelpingafriend,EmersynMoorefindsherselfbearingthebruntofDaxtonMcArthur’sdisdain.

Usuallyagood-naturedperson,Emersynispushedtotheendofherpatiencebyhisscowlsandsneers.

Whenhe’sstrandedinthemiddleofasnowstorm,shefeelsobligatedtotakehimin.ItisChristmasEve,afterall.

Whathappenswhentwoworldscollideandthey’renotasdifferentastheythought?WillthelightEmersyn’ssmile

promisesbeenoughtobringDaxbacktolife,orwillherun,foreverhidinginthedarknessofhispastmistakes?

Grayson

ReginaFrame

GraysonDeckerisamanwithmanytitles.NewYork’sManoftheYear.NewYork’sMostEligibleBachelor,butwhen

hemeetsthefeistyAubreeLane,heearnsthetitleofScrooge.WhenGrayson’sparentspushhimtomarryandeven

forcetoassistinfindingtheperfectwife,Graysontakesmattersintohisownhands.

AubreeLaneisacollegedropout,workingpart-timeinacoffeeshop,desperatetomakeendsmeet,butfindsherselfin

dangerofevictionfromherrun-downapartmentinasketchyneighborhood.WhenGraysonDeckersetshissightson

her,hemakesheranoffershecan’trefuseorisittheotherwayaround?Whenheoffersher$50Ktobehisfakefiancée

forthreeweeks,shethrowsawrenchintohisplan.She’llgoalongwithhisidea,butitwillcosthim$100Kand

ChristmasDinnerwithherfamily.

Whentheiragreementends,willhebeabletolethergo?Willsherefusetostay?

Luke

CPSmith

IfLukeKnightcouldchangeanythingabouthislife,itwouldbethedayhisnephewdied.Filledwithguilt,Lukeliveda

lonelyexistence.Untilthedayanangelcrashedintohistruck…andstruckhisheart.

AnnaStubbsknewonethingwithoutquestion:Godhasareasonforeverything.Heroptimismandfaithshinefrom

within,andnomatterhowhardLuketries,hecan’tignoreit.

Whenlifethrowsanunexpectedcurveball,bothLukeandAnnawillneedtoreachdeepinsidethemselvesthisholiday

season,andlearntohavefaiththatGodisincontrolandduckslipperstrulyareaman’sundoing.

Michael

FGAdams

Doholidaywishesreallycometrue?

Forkindergartenteacher,HollyMaryEdwards,she’sbankingonamiraclewhenthemanofherdreamsreturnsfrom

dutyabroad.

Decoratedarmydoctor,MichaelBarnes,isnotreadytofacetheholidayseasonafterhisfiancéleaveshimforanother

man.Michaelisconvincedit’stimetoputhappinessinatightlittleboxandshipitbacktotheNorthPole.

Hewasn’texpectingHolly.AndwhenthesexyHolly-jollynymphtakesituponherselftodivesthimofhisMr.

Scroogedattitude,she’lldoanythingtobringhimintothejinglebelljolly.

Silas

WinterTravers

SilasWarlackdoesn’thavetimeforanythingotherthanrunningamulti-milliondollarbusinessthousandsofmilesaway

fromhishometown.Heespeciallydoesn’thavetimeforfrivolousthingsliketheholidaysandfamily.Toobadhis

motherdoesn’tunderstandthat.

AinsleyCrownefinallyhaseverythingsheeverdreamedofinherlife—amazingfriendsandasuccessfulflowershopall

inherhometown.Butablastfromthepastblowingbackintotownandherbestfriend’sweddingjustbeforeChristmas

remindheroftheonethingmissinginherlife:Love.

WillAinsleyandSilasrealizewhattheyhadwasonceinalifetimeorwilltheybetoostubbornandlettheholiday

miracleintheirmidstpassthemby?

Travis

TracieDouglas

TravisMaloneisagrinch,andhe’sdamnproudofit.Ifheneverseesanothertwinklelightorsmellsafreshbatchof

Christmascookiesinhislife,he’lldieahappyman.

OliviaWilderneedstomakethisChristmasthemostmemorableforherdaughter.It’stheirfirstholidayintheirnewlife.

WhenLivmovesinnextdoor,TravislearnshowfasttheChristmasspiritcanseepintohisworld,andhestrugglesto

ignorethegrowingattractionhefeelsforthesinglemom.Butwhenhedeclareswar,Livisdeterminedtowin,evenifit

meansgettingthewholeneighborhoodinvolved.

WillTravis’GhostofChristmasPastdestroyanychanceatjoyduringtheholidayseason?OrwillOliviabeabletogive

himtheChristmasmiraclehedidn’tknowhewaslookingfor?

Zaiden

MayraStatham

World-famousfashionphotographer,ZaidenKlausen,isajerkofaboss.That’swhy,aftertwoyears,Iquitfourdays

beforeChristmas.ButthenhemakesmeanofferIcan’trefuse.

What’stheworstthingthatcanhappen?

MicheleHenlinisthebestmakeupartisthehaseverworkedwith.Whenshequitsunexpectedly,hefindshimself

beggingawomanforthefirsttimeinhislife.

Onemorephotoshoot.That’sallhewantsfromher.

Untilanightmareofwhatafuturewithoutherinhislifewouldbekickshimintohighgeartoconvinceherheisn’tthe

scrooged-upmanshethinksheis.

Zane

JessikaKlide

ZaneLockhartisacoldhearted,selfishLasVegascopwhohatesChristmasandproudlyownsthenickname,Sergeant

Scrooge.Refusingtocelebrateitinanywayexceptthebellowingof“BahHumbug,”heinsistsit’sjustanotherday.

Whileonpatrolwithhisnewpartner,aK9copnamed,BruceWayneakaBatman,hehasachanceencounterwithahot

chickandsetsupamidnightdatewithher.Off-dutyandreadytoscoreahookup,thetwoaregettingacquainted,whena

robberyoccursandZanecomesfacetofacewithapastfullofscars,andapresentfullofsecrets.

ThisChristmasdiscoverthatrealheroesarebornnotmade,thatloveistrulymagical,that“BahHumbug”canbe

weaponized,andafuturefullofsorrowcanberescued.

CheckouttheDevil’sKnightsSeries

LovingLo:Devil’sKnightsSeriesBook1

Finding love again was never in Meg’s plans. One eventful morning at the dollar store
changesherlifeforever.

Can she let Lo in her life without losing herself again? Or will she walk away from the
onetruethingthatcouldmakeherhappy?

FindingCyn:Devil’sKnightsSeriesBook2

Beatenandbrokendownbythemanwhowassupposedtobeherhappyending,Cyn’slost
andalone,withnohappyendinginsight.

CanRigidbreakthroughCyn’swalls,showinghersheismorethanhershatteredpast,or
willherdemonsconsumeherbeforeRigidcanfindher?

Gravel’sRoad:Devil’sKnightsSeriesNovellaBook3

Ethelhadherhappilyeverafter.Itmayhaveendedtoosoon,butitwasmorethansome
peoplegot.AfterGravelgetshurt,it’sEtheltotherescue,nursinghimbacktohealth,and
unearthingfeelingsshehadtriedtohideforsolong.

Gravel doesn’t want to settle down. He’s lived his life his way for the past forty years,
why mess with something that isn’t broke? Except Ethel manages to sneak her way in,
making Gravel second guess his plan, wondering if maybe there has been something
missingallalong.

BattlingTroy:Devil’sKnightsSeriesBook4

Aonenightstand;thatwasallitwassupposedtobe.Atleastthat’swhatMarleythought.

Afterablunderedkidnapping,TroyandMarleyareconstantlythrowntogether,fightingan
attractiontheybothdon’twant,butcan’tbedenied.

Whowillbethefirsttoraisethewhiteflagandsurrendertotheirdesires,realizingsome
battlesareworthfighting?

Gambler’sLongshot:Devil’sKnightsSeriesBook5

Oppositesattract,orsotheysay.

With Gwen constantly throwing sass and questioning every word that comes out of
Gambler’smouth,GamblerandGwenmaybethefirstcoupletoprovethatsayingwrong.

AllGamblerwantstodoiskeepGwensafeandthat’sit.Heneverexpectedtheunwanted
attractionandtheneedtoprotecthernomatterwhat.

Gambler’sintentionsmaybetrue,butGwenhaslearnedthehardwaythatthingsarenot

alwayswhattheyseem.

CanGamblerpersuadeGwentotakeachanceonhim,orwillallbetsbeoff?

KeepingMeg:Devil’sKnightsSeriesBook6

After years of heartbreak and being married to the wrong man, Meg has finally found
whatshealwayswantedwithLo.

Except there’s one problem. Lo is keeping something from Meg and Meg is more than
determinedtofigureoutwhatitis.

Willtheymakeitdowntheaisleandrideoffintothesunset,orwilllifegetinthewayand
haveMegmakeadecisionshemightregretfortherestofherlife?

FightingDemon:Devil’sKnightsSeriesBook7

AsharedpastthatnooneknewaboutuntilDemonandPaige’sworldscollidedagain.

DemonandPaigebothmademistakeseightyearsago,tearingapartthelovetheyhadfor
eachother.

Now, Demon has Paige in his sights again, and he isn’t going to let her go. But things
aren’talwayswhattheyseem.

CouldDemonandPaigebeoverbeforetheyevenstartagain,orwillthepastfade,making
roomfortheendingthey’vealwayswanted?

UnravelingFayth:Devil’sKnightsSeries,Book8

Fayth doesn’t know what she wants anymore. Torn between the life she used to live or
stayinginRockton,Faythcan’tdecidewhichfutureshewants.Allsheknowsisthatthe
onemanwhowon’tleavehersideistheonemanwhoistakingoverherheart.Everyday
SliderrelivesthemomenthethoughthehadlostFaythbeforeheevenhadthechanceto
have her. Now, with Fayth back in Rockton, he’s never letting her out of his sight.
Although,someoneelsehasotherplans
Dangerislurking,andSlideristheonemanthatwillkeephersafe.
Heletherdownonce.
He’llneverletithappenagain.
ThescoreisfinallysettledinthisthrillingconclusiontotheDevil’sKnightsSeries.

TakearidewiththeJensenBoys

Downshift:SkidRowKingsSeriesBook1

LukeJensenlivedonthewrongsideofthetracksallhislife,butthatneverstoppedhim
fromrealizinghisdreamandmakingitareality.Now,theKingoftheStreetRacingscene,
hefinallyhaseverythinghewantsandhewon’tletanyonetakeitawayfromhim.

Violet Barnes lived a sheltered life growing up, never fitting in except in the books that
she loved. After losing her parents, she forges forward, creating her own little world,
contentinbeingalone.

When Violet stumbles into Luke’s shop, sparks fly but neither can let go of the hard
lessonstheylearnedgrowingup.

Will Violet give Luke a chance to prove he’s not just another gear head? Or will Luke
writeVioletoffbeforetheyevenhaveachancetoseethattheybothneedtoletgooftheir
past,andfocusonthefuture?

Powershift:SkidRowKingsSeries,Book2

MitchJensenknowswhatit’sliketohavenothingandclawyourwayupfromthebottom.
Living with nothing growing up, he’s always strived to help those in need. Except, he’s
nevermetsomeonewhodidn’twanthishelp.

Scarlett James is running from a life she never wanted but was too afraid to leave. Free
fromthemanwhowasdestroyingher,shenowhastofindherwayandbuildanewlife
forherandherson.

All Mitch wants to do is give Scarlett what she needs and deserves but with the walls
Scarletthasbuiltaroundherheart,Mitchcan’tfindawayin.

WillScarlettletMitchin,discoveringthatnotallmenarebad?Orwillherpastconsume
her,keepingherfromwhatshe’salwayswanted?

BangShift:SkidRowKingsSeries,Book3

KurtJensenhashadenough.Tiredofbeingunderhisbrother’sthumbandhavingtheone
personhewantedpushhimaway,Kurtknewitwastimetoleave.Californiawassupposed
tobethenewstarthecravedandneeded,butonewrongturnbroughteverythingcrashing
downaroundhim,literally.

Leelee Perez messed up any chance she had with Kurt by pushing him away and has
regretteditsince.KurthadbeenLeelee’sknightinshiningarmorayearago,savingnot
onlyher,butalsothesmallfamilysheclungto.

Nowisherchancetomakethingsright.

Relationships will be tested, and bonds will be broken in this thrilling conclusion of the
SkidRowKingsSeries.

HangoutwiththeKarateHotties

DropkickMyHeart:PowerhouseM.A.,Book1

Kellan

Countless hours of practice, and enough determination to succeed no matter the cost is
whathasbroughtKellantostandingatthedoortohislifecomingfullcircle.

Life on the competition circuit was fast-paced and exciting, but now Kellan is ready to
settledown,andstayinhisownbedforlongerthanaweek.

OpeningPowerhouseMartialArtswithhisthreebestfriendswasjustwhattheyallneeded
toshowcasetheirskillsfromtraditionalforms,allthewaytoshow-stylesporttricking.

Kellanthoughthehaditallfiguredout,excepthedidn’tfigureinthesassybaristanext
door.

Molly

For seven years, Molly saved every penny she had to buy the quirky coffeeshop on the
corner.

Lattes,cappuccinos,espresso.Younameit,Mollycanmakeit.

Early mornings slinging coffee, and late nights thinking up the next new coffee craze
leaves Molly little time to have a life. Her customers have become her family, and she
woulddoanythingtokeephercustomershappy.

EvenventuringovertothenewMartialArtsstudionextdoor,andaskingthemtokeepthe
screamingandgruntingtoaminimum.Surelyonedoesn’tneedtoscreamsomuch,right?

WithMollythrowingdownthegauntlettoquietdownorshutdown,Kellandoestheonly
thinghecando.

Takeoffthesparringgloves,andshowthebaristajustwhatPowerhouseMartialArtsisall
about.Strength,Style,&takingnoprisoners.

LoveontheMat:PowerhouseMA,Book2

Hadley

Lifeisn’tfair.

HadleyJameslearnedearlyoninlifetheeasypathwasnotinherfuture,andthepastsix
months have been a testament to that. Losing her sister and getting guardianship of her
nephewhaveknockedherworldoffitsaxiswithnoonetheretohelp.

She takes the only job she can find to pay the bills, but it doesn’t exactly make her feel
likethemotherlytype.Slingingcocktails‘tiltwoo’clockinthemorning,thenwakingup
four hours later to get her nephew out the door, leaves little time for anything but work
andsleep.

Strugglingtofindawaytomakeendsmeet,allHadleywishesforisanormallifeforher
nephew,andafullnight’ssleepforherself.

Isthatreallytoomuchforagirltoaskfor?

Tate

Lifeisdamngood.

Tate Holten co-owns a successful karate studio, has a gorgeous house, a brand new car,
and the freedom to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Life couldn’t have dealt
himabetterhand.

Although,spendingmostofhistimeatPowerhouseleavesTatewithlittlesociallife,and
lately,he’sbeenlookingforsomethingdifferent.

Somethingorsomeonetosharehislifewithseemstobetheonlythinghecan’thave.

Constantly searching for that one special thing leads Tate to Hadley, and he instantly
knowsshe’swhathehasbeenlookingfor.

TatejustwantstosaveHadleyandgivehereverythingsheneeds,butHadleyisn’tlooking
forahandoutfromanyone.

TateisfacedwithhisbiggestchallengeyetofconvincingHadleyheisn’tjustsomeguy
lookingtolandinherbedforonenight.ButwillHadleygivehimthechance,orwillTate
havetotakelovetothemattoprovetoHadleyhe’sjustwhatsheneeds?

BlackBeltinLove:PowerhouseMA,Book3

Kennedy
KennedyKramerhaslivedthedream.Itjustwasn’therdream.Yearningtobuildalifeof
herown,freeofheroverbearingparents,sheopensZenyogastudio.

Toappeaseherdistressedparentsandgetthemoffherback,sheneedstoconvincethem
she’slivingthelifetheywantforher.

ShesomehowfindsherselfentangledwithDanteCraigandOperation:Decoy.

Dante

Dante Craig doesn’t want for much. As long as he has his friends and can do karate
wheneverhewants,he’sgoodtogo.

With nothing holding him back or tying him down, Dante latches onto Karlton’s
harebrained scheme to be Kennedy’s Decoy. But it turns into something neither of them
saw coming. Her ass in those yoga pants only helps cement the concept of making the
temporarydecoypositionapermanentone.

Kennedymighthaveadecoy,butDanteistheonewiththesecret.Whenlightisshined
ontothetruth,willtheyearnablackbeltinloveorendupwithbrokenhearts?

SpendsometimewiththeFallenLordsMC

Nickel:FallenLordsMC,Book1

Simple.Neat.Orderly.

Aplaceforeverything,andeverythinginitsplace.

Karmen Handel’s life growing up had been anything but quiet and simple. A deadbeat
father,amotherwhoneverwantedher,andagrandmotherwhocouldcarelesswerethe
perfectrecipetoensureKarmenbuiltawallaroundherselfandneverletanyonein.When
herpastcomesbacktohaunther,Karmenhasnoonetohelpher.UntilNickel.

Complicated.Dirty.Restless.

Livetoride.Ridetolive.

Nickel Cunningham lives free with the brothers he calls family and has never craved
anything more until he met Karmen. The shy, quiet nurse who cares for his grandma
caughthiseyemonthsago,andhehasn’tbeenabletogetheroffhismindsince.Nickel
knowswhathewants,buthe’sneverhadtofightforitbefore.UntilKarmen.

Pipe:FallenLordsMC,Book2

Guarded.Afraid.Confused.
Nikki Nomad’s life is in shambles. Growing up in and out of foster care, she rarely lets
anyonein.AfterwatchingherbestfriendKarmenfallinlove,Nikkistartstosoftentothe
ideaofahappilyeverafterwithFallenLordsV.P.,Pipe.
He’s ruggedly handsome with a careless attitude, and it’s the exact lethal and sexy
combination that breaks Nikki’s heart, reminding her life is far from a fairytale and
makingherrunawayfromthefewpeoplesheloves.
Stubborn.Careless.Free.
PipeMarkcaresaboutonepersonandonepersononly.
Arevolvingdoorofwomenmightspendthenightinhisbed,buttheyallknowthescore
beforetheystepfootthroughthedoor.
1.Nopromises.2.Onenight.
Theyallrespecttherulesandgoontheirmerrywaymorethansatisfiedinthemorning.
AllexceptNikki.
Nikki makes Pipe want more. He never has before, but he longs to make promises of
endingeachnighttangledineachother’sarms.Hejustrealizesitalltoolate.
Nikki runs, and Pipe ignores the way his body begs for him to chase her. While Nikki
thinksPipecan’tgiveherwhatsheneeds,PipeisworriedNikkiisgoingtorockhisworld
andneverleaveitthesame.