Faking It with My Bossy Ex (Sweet Christmas Kisses)

22. Dylan

Chapter 22

Dylan

The ugly pillow wall is the first thing I notice in the morning. It’s maintained its original height for the past two nights, save for one or two pillows that fell off and no one has put back.

I remember the nights when it was almost gone. Maybe we can get that back. I am out of the shower and dressed by the time that Amy gets up. As she gathers her things, I notice a covered painting against the wall. Someone delivered it a few days ago.

“Is that painting for the auction?” I ask as Amy runs a hairbrush through her hair. She’s perched on the side of the bed, a neutral expression on her face.

After winning the eating contest the night before, we seem to be on slightly better terms, and I’m hoping that it will continue because it’s the last day of the Couple’s Contest and of the fundraiser, and I want to enjoy some of the work we’ve put into it all.

“I’m not sure yet. I thought it would be, but compared to my other paintings, it’s a little simpler. I’m not sure if anyone would even want it. Besides, it’s a little sentimental.”

“Oh?” I raise my eyebrows and head over toward the painting. She rushes toward me to stop me, but I’m too fast and pull off the sheet covering it before she can do anything.

I stop breathing for a few seconds. It’s like stepping back in time to that night, just us, the world falling away. If I didn’t know how much time it takes to paint, I’d bet she captured it right after our night at the pond.

The colors pull me back to that memory so vividly I can almost feel the cold bite of the ice and hear her laughter echoing around us. The lamp post casts golden hues over the white ice, making it sparkle in blues and whites.

A young woman skates gracefully, her back skate lifted and her arms out as she balances on the wind. The look on her face is one of pure joy, lost in thought, in loving the moment of her life.

The young man has a similar look on his face. He’s skating backward, right in front of the girl, his arms crossed over his chest, as if showing off how easy the maneuver is. The expression on his face is also full of wonder, but his eyes are focused solely on the girl’s face.

I know what that felt like, what he was thinking, what put that smile on his face, and the protective way he stayed close to her in case she fell because the boy in the picture is me.

“We were in high school. It was our third date, and I thought it was too good to be true.” Amy’s voice is soft, wavering ever so slightly. “It was one of the happiest afternoons of my life and when I found myself in Europe, I wanted to remember what that sort of love and happiness looked like.”

My heart aches at her words. I made her feel as if she didn’t know what it was like to be happy anymore.

I reach for her hand, trying to ignore the fact that I’m feeling a dozen things at once, none of them simple. My thumb moves instinctively across her knuckles, and I hope she doesn’t notice that I’m gripping a little tighter than usual, like letting go isn’t an option right now.

“I’m sorry,” I say softly. The words feel too small for everything I want to say.

***

My palms are sweaty and my chest itches. Who knew how itchy a Christmas sweater would be? Not to mention, after running around and doing a Christmas scavenger hunt together, it’s getting a bit too warm.

“Are you sure we got everything on the list?” Amy asks, looking up from where she’s petting Pepper. The dog has followed us around all day, our own personal helper. Granted, he did help us find the peppermint cookies hidden outside in little packages.

“You don’t trust me?” I ask, handing Amy the list. “Go ahead, check it again.”

She giggles as she takes the list, her lips curving up into one of those delectable smiles.

“I trust you. It’s Pepper here saying you might have missed something.” Pepper wags his tail, trying to prove his innocence while she scans through the items on the list. We’re almost to the front when she hands it back. “Looks like you’re right.”

“See?” I ask. “You were worried about nothing. I have to say, you look like you want to win.”

“Seeing as we’re in the lead for the grand prize by one point, yes, of course I want to win.” Amy shakes her head. “You know, the cruise thing really sold me. Imagine? Sailing around the world, seeing the sights, enjoying the buffet and the sunsets …”

“I can imagine.” I close my eyes for half a second, seeing myself and Amy peering over the railing of a huge cruise ship, my arms around her waist.

“It would be glorious. And after all the work this has taken, we should get something out of it.” She cocks an eyebrow as she motions between us.

“If anyone does deserve to win this, it’s you.” My eyes soften as I look at her. She deserves every good thing she can get, after all she’s been through and all I've put her through.

“Can I get everyone’s attention?” Mrs. Parker taps her microphone and Pepper’s ears perk up. He turns his head, staring at Mrs. Parker. You can tell how in love he is with her by the way his whole body trembles with happiness.

“It’s time for the final part of the competition. As you all know, there are two runner-ups to the grand finale prize, but in the meantime, don’t be discouraged, because the five winners of this last part will get five couple packages to the town theater. That includes snacks and tickets to a cozy movie.”

Claps and cheers go up around the room.

“The winners of the scavenger hunt …” She holds up a piece of paper. “were a bit inconclusive. I might have made it just a little too easy to get everything on the list. Because of that, we’re going to add an extra step.”

She points to a sprig of mistletoe hanging above the lifted stage at the back of the dining area.

“Each couple will take a turn coming up here and showing off their Christmas sweaters and seal the deal with a kiss. Don't forget passion! Whoever gets the loudest cheers will get the final point.”

The room is a chaotic mixture of laughter, talking, and giggling. The couples all line up and we’re ironically the last ones. That could be a very bad position to be in or a great one. It means we’ll make the last impression but will have to outdo everyone before us.

“Do we really need a cruise?” Amy asks as another couple goes up. The man leans in to kiss his wife or girlfriend, and she kisses him first. It’s awkward and hilarious.

Everyone breaks into laughter and cheers. Their Christmas sweaters are matching. One says his, and the other says hers, but they’re on opposite people, to make a play on them belonging to one another.

Amy is wearing the red sweater I bought her. It fits her perfectly, hugging her curves in just the right ways. My sweater is a clunky, green and red bit of atrocity I picked up last minute and is going in the trash as soon as the event is over. Everyone else passes in a blur until it’s Amy and me standing on the stage.

She looks up at me, uncertain, questioning. I don’t have to fake this kiss or try to make it look like we’re in love because I am in love with her.

I brush my fingers against her cheek, drawing her closer. Her eyes lock on mine, challenging me to close the gap.

Her skin's just as soft as I remember. My thumb traces her jaw, and something electric shoots through me. I step in until there's no space left between us. Her hands land on my chest, and the room goes dead quiet.

My free hand finds the small of her back. Ever since that kiss in the cabin, I can't get her out of my head. She's tense against me, like she might bolt.

I press my lips to hers, and everything shifts. She presses into me, her hand sliding up my chest, around my neck, pulling me deeper.

The world narrows to just her body against mine, her mouth on mine, everything else fading away.

She pulls back, eyes still closed. My lips burn from the kiss, wanting more. I rest my forehead against hers, both of us breathing hard. The room erupts in cheers, but all I see is her smile.

“I guess it’s a good thing we practiced, isn’t it?” she asks, her lips red. I wish there was a tie, and we had to kiss again just to double check who got the most cheers, but Mrs. Parker is already joining us on stage.

“I think we have our winners! Ladies and gentlemen, two young people from our very own town of Snowfall Springs and a second generation winner, Amy and Dylan!” Mrs. Parker looks over at us with sparkly eyes, and the crowd cheers again.

I’m not focused on any of them.

“We won? We won!” Amy jumps up and down before launching herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck and burying her face in my chest. I spin her around, a reflection of the pure joy coursing through me. I half lead, half carry Amy off the stage and back to the floor.

Mrs. Parker is announcing the other winners of the Christmas sweater competition and there is still a lot of cheering and noise.

There’s a mix of the other competitors and people from town, and the others coming to eat at the diner. There hasn’t been a big audience for every part of the competition, but people have come and gone. The couple’s competition is a pretty big deal for Snowfall Springs.

“I can’t wait for the cruise. Never thought I’d make it to the ocean.” I joke with a wink.

Amy looks up at me, her cheeks blushing.

I shake my head with a chuckle. “I’m only teasing. If you want to take someone else, then you should.”

She opens and closes her mouth. I realize just how close she’s still standing to me. She could have put distance between us and left me standing there alone all together if she wanted. Instead, she shakes her head ever so slightly.

“We still have time before the cruise. No need to choose now.”

“Wait …” My mouth falls open. “You mean, there’s a chance you’ll take me with you?”

“Don’t say it so loud! Someone is going to hear you.” She laughs.

“If you do take me, then I promise I’ll behave. I won’t snore a single time, and I’ll even help you put up a pillow wall. I’ll pack extra pillows in my luggage and will stay on my side of the bed. If it’s a really cheap cruise, I’ll stay on my level because we'd be sleeping in bunk beds.” I can’t help myself. She’s too fun to tease.

“You’re making me sound like a horrible person or like I torture you or something.” She slaps at my arm, a bit of annoyance showing on her face. I chuckle.

“I don’t mind some torture as long as you’re the one doing it.” I wiggle my eyebrows up and down.

“Dylan!” she scolds, reaching up to cover my mouth, which is almost impossible due to my height. I wrap my arms around her waist to steady her. This is where I want Amy, in my arms, with me, forever.

Eight years without her, and that dream hasn't changed. Every day apart was another regret piling up. Even those two years as Leo, watching from a distance while she shared her victories and setbacks … I wanted to be there, really there, not just hiding behind a screen.

I look down into those eyes that still get to me.

Can I get her back for real? Will she take me back?

The plan forming in my head is either the stupidest thing I've ever thought of, or exactly what we need.