Chapter 12 – Jenna
JENNA
My parents’ ranch sat back from the road, a long wraparound porch stretching across the front and acres of snow-dusted land disappearing behind it.
“You told me your parents lived in a shotgun house in the middle of nowhere,” Nicholas said.
“It is in the middle of nowhere.”
“It’s a mansion…” He looked like he was expecting an explanation.
I shrugged. “It’s not like I was ever expecting you to see it.”
Seconds later, he pulled into the turnaround driveway and helped me out of the car.
We waited for a moment as Mr. Reaves stepped out, snapping photos like a tourist.
“Wow,” he said. “This is truly Christmas come to life, huh?”
Neither of us answered him.
Nicholas pressed his hand against mine and led me up the steps.
I hesitated before ringing the doorbell, and before I could take a breath, the door swung open.
“Ahhh! You’re really here!” My favorite aunt—Aunt May—pulled me into her arms. When she looked up at Nicholas, her jaw literally unhinged.
And it hung wide open until I pressed it shut.
“Um…” She blinked. “Who is this?”
“Nicholas,” I said. “He’s just a boyfriend.”
“I’m her fiancé,” he corrected me, extending his hand. “Nicholas Saint.”
“Wait a minute… Isn’t your boss’s name Nicholas Saint?”
“Yes.”
“But you just told us he was an asshole who wasn’t letting you come home for the holidays.”
“He regrets ever saying that,” Nicholas answered for me.
“Um, okay then. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Nicholas.” She smiled, looking like she wanted to say more, but thankfully she kept her mouth shut.
“Who’s your friend behind you?” she asked.
“No one,” we said together.
“I’m Jeremiah Reaves.” He extended his hand. “I’m just tagging along for business. Act like I’m not here.”
“If you insist…” She motioned for us to take off our coats.
“Have we missed much of the party?” I asked.
“Yeah, right.” She snorted. “The alcohol is just now being served, and Uncle John hasn’t pissed anybody off yet with his stories, so you’re beyond early.”
Ugh, great.
“Nicholas, I need you to do me a huge favor for Jenna’s sake while you’re here.
” She looked at him. “Maybe just leave it at ‘boyfriend’ when you introduce yourself, so she won’t get grilled and yelled at by her dad, okay?
He won’t take too kindly to the fact that you didn’t ask for permission to date her first.”
Nicholas arched an eyebrow, looking confused.
“Is that Jenna I see down the hall?” someone suddenly yelled.
“Jenna’s here?”
“Jennaaaa?”
The screams from my family members drowned out any chance of us finishing our conversation.
Bracing myself, I clasped Nicholas’s hand and pulled him past the long hall of Christmas trees, shaking hands and hugging my family members along the way.
Before they showed us to our guest suite—a room that overlooked my father’s garden he once shared with my mom—I slipped my engagement ring into my pocket.
They didn’t let us get a second alone to unpack and go over our script. Instead, my aunts showed us into our grand dining room and pushed all types of wine and liquor options in front of our faces.
Taking a long sip of spiced eggnog, I winced as the alcohol burned its way down my throat.
This is only for a few days, Jenna. Just think about the money…
A few hours later
“What are you doing?” I slipped into our room and spotted Nicholas sitting on the edge of the bed.
“I’m checking my email.”
“We agreed that we weren’t sharing the bed.”
“I’m aware, Miss Dawson.” He looked up at me. “I’m just sitting here, if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t want you to get comfortable,” I said. “Next thing I know, you’ll want to take a nap there, and then after that, you might get the idea that I want to have sex with you.”
“You definitely want to have sex with me.” He stood to his feet. “Where do you suggest I sleep, then? There’s no sofa or chairs in here.”
“I’ll have my dad bring you some. No, wait.” I walked over to the closet. “Better yet, here.”
I pulled a stack of super-thick, fluffy blankets and dropped them onto the floor.
“You can make a pallet,” I said. “I used to sleep on them all the time when I was a kid.”
“I’ve never slept on one, and I’m not going to start now.”
“You can try sleeping while you stand, if you like.” I shrugged. “It’s pretty uncomfortable, though.”
He looked at the blankets, then at me—slowly accepting his fate.
“I’m going to remember this shit when we get back home,” he said, his eyes lingering on mine a second too long.
“Let me know when you’re ready to go to your mom’s,” I said. “I’m fine with today or tomorrow.” I slipped out of the room before he could say another word, before the look in his eyes could make me give in just once.
Moving through the tree-lined hallway, I grabbed a cup of pecan coffee and made my way to the front porch.
To my surprise, it was completely empty.
Letting out a breath, I plopped down in a rocking chair and looked ahead at the snow-covered acres.
I miss when Mom and I used to do this…
As I was envisioning her smile, the sound of crunchy footsteps came from the side of the house.
“Who’s there?” I called out. “Who is that?”
“Don’t worry,” a familiar voice said. “It’s just me.”
My longest-term boyfriend—well, still an ex-boyfriend—Brandon stepped onto the porch. He was dressed like my father now—navy blue coat and waders. A long way from his days of khaki pants and polo shirts as a journalist.
“I heard through the grapevine that you were in town, and I had to come see it for myself.” He smiled. “You’re even more beautiful than I remember.”
“Thank you.”
“Did you, um…” He paused. “Did you come home to fulfill the pact that we never talk about?”
“Actually, I came back because—”
“My mom said we can stop by now.” Nicholas joined us on the porch, sliding his arms into his custom black overcoat. “I told her that we’re en route.”
He looked at Brandon, then over to me. “Am I interrupting something?”
“No.” I stood up and adjusted my scarf. “Nicholas, this is Brandon. Brandon, this is Nicholas. He’s my boyfriend.”
“Fiancé.”
“Nicholas…” I warned. “Remember what my Aunt May said…”
He didn’t take his words back.
“I didn’t know you were seeing someone.” Brandon feigned a smile. “Nice to meet you, Nicholas. I’m Brandon.”
“Brandon Forest?”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “Are you Nicholas Saint? I’m kidding…”
“I am.”
“What?” Brandon’s eyes widened. “Jenna, are you serious? The asshole you used to complain to me about?”
“Probably so.” Nicholas smiled. “Things change, though.”
“I doubt they change that much…”
“Who is this lovely gentleman?” Mr. Reaves appeared, once again perfectly timed. “I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you yet.”
“Well, you’ll be seeing me a lot more these next couple days.” Brandon shot me a dirty look. “I guarantee it…”