Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
The next morning, Price was still stewing.
He’d been trying to apologize for everything, but obviously Addie didn’t appreciate his apology.
It was especially ill-timed after he lost all control and kissed her as if she were his entire world, his happiness, and his future.
That could’ve been true if he hadn’t messed it all up.
His ex-wife would not be surprised at all that he was ruining things with Addie.
He kneeled and prayed for help, then showered and got ready for the day, wondering what this Christmas Eve would bring.
At seven he was making a veggie, bacon, and egg skillet in the kitchen when footsteps came from upstairs. He froze. Would Addie’s anger have abated? Would they ever be able to talk this through? He shut off the burner and walked into the main living room.
Addie descended the stairs. She looked beautiful in a red sweater dress. Wringing her hands together, she bravely met his gaze. “I’ve been praying since our … interaction last night.”
Price’s gut twisted. She could write off the best kiss of his life as an ‘interaction’, but her praying was a good sign. Could God want them together? If Price was His only priority, He would, but the good Lord would do what was best for Addie as well, and Price had no idea what that might be.
“I can’t hold this anger in my heart any longer,” she continued. “It’s eating me up. It’s Christmas Eve. My gift to the Savior and to myself is that I forgive you for lying to me and betraying my trust.”
Price’s eyes widened. She forgave him. Happiness surged through him. “That’s a gift to me,” he managed.
“I forgive you,” she said slowly, holding his gaze, “but I still can’t trust you.”
He nodded, feeling the dig, but he had no idea how to heal the breach.
“Please stop giving me all these longing looks.”
“I am still your bodyguard, so I need to check on you constantly.”
“That is not the way a bodyguard looks at his protection detail.”
Price shrugged. What could he say? She was right. Would she ever believe how much more she meant to him?
“You also need to not touch me unless absolutely necessary.” Addie’s eyes were serious. “And no kissing. Never again.”
Price couldn’t speak past his dry throat. His heart seemed to hardly be beating, dejected and sad. Never again. What a horrific proclamation.
“We’re stuck here together, so let’s try to bury the past for the next two days and enjoy Christmas with the family. Hopefully then Aiden can find someone else to watch over me.”
He couldn’t speak, so he just nodded his understanding.
His stomach churned. How was he supposed to get through the next two days?
No longing looks. No touching. No kissing.
And still no explaining the mess to Addie.
She’d said she’d forgive him for Christmas, but it felt more like a truce.
They would play nice for the next couple days and then she’d pray for a new bodyguard to come.
Price had hoped this reprieve would give him a chance to explain, but he doubted any kind of Christmas miracle would restore Addie’s trust in him.