Merry with a Playmaker (Love Beach Holiday Collection)

Chapter Eleven

Evan and I weave our way through the festive chaos of the Love Beach Holiday Market. Twinkling lights, jolly music, and the aroma of cinnamon fill the crisp evening air.

"How about this one?" Evan holds up a gaudy seashell ornament, all glittery pink and bedazzled.

I smirk. "Really? Didn't peg you for the sparkly type."

His eyes twinkle with mischief. "What can I say? I contain multitudes."

Laughter bubbles out of me, easy and bright. "Uh huh. Sure you do, tough guy."

He pouts, and I stare at the protruding lip. Fuck my life, they’re just shy of being as full as Tom Hardy’s. I lean in stopping myself from drawing it between my own lips and sucking.

We walk on, immersed in the bustling cheer of the market. Evan's thumb traces absent circles on the back of my hand, sending tingles up my arm. I'm hyperaware of every point of contact between us.

A rainbow of knitted scarves catches my eye at the next stall. "Oh, look at these!" I tug him closer, fingering a cherry red number threaded with gold.

Evan drops my hand to wrap the scarf around my neck with a flourish. "Gorgeous. It suits you."

A blush warms my cold cheeks. "You're just saying that because it's your team colors."

"Am not." He grabs a matching scarf and loops it around his own neck. "See? We're in this together, Merry."

Together. The word wraps me up like the soft wool, filling me with dangerous hope. I gaze up at this man who's always felt like home, no matter how far apart life took us. His face is so familiar, but the heat in his eyes...that's new. Thrilling. Terrifying.

"Evan, I--"

"Shh, don't overthink it." He brushes a curls from my forehead. "Let's just enjoy this, okay? No pressure. Only...possibilities."

Possibilities. The promise in that word melts the last of my resistance.

"Alright, de Nemours. You win this round, but I'm buying these scarves."

His delighted laughter weaves a spell through the night.

"Mmm, is that hazelnut I detect?" Evan holds a square of chocolate under my nose, eyebrows waggling.

I inhale the rich aroma distracted from the fizzy awareness building between us. "Close. Praline, I think." I bite off a piece of the chewy, nutty candy. My tongue grazes skin. His sharp intake of breath sends liquid heat coursing through my veins.

Two can play at this game.

I pluck a caramel from the display, holding it in front of his lips. "Open up, hotshot."

Evan's eyes darken as his mouth closes over the candy, teeth nipping my fingertips. I suppress a shiver, determined not to let him see how much he affects me.

"Delicious," he murmurs, gaze never leaving mine. "But I bet you taste even sweeter."

Oh lord. My stomach swoops at his blatant flirting. I'm in trouble now...

"Behave." I shoot for stern, but it comes out breathy. "We're in public."

"For now." His smirk is pure sin. "But later..."

The promise in that word curls my toes. What am I getting myself into? This is Evan, my best friend. Not some holiday fling. The stakes are so much higher.

But as he laces our fingers together, familiar calluses igniting my skin, I can't bring myself to care. Tonight, I'm throwing off expectations. Tonight, I'm just a woman, savoring a magical time with the man she never stopped loving.

Consequences be damned.

**********

A glint of silver catches my eye as we meander past the stalls. "Oh, look at these!"

Intricate charms dangle from thin chains - stars, moons, infinity symbols. Each one seems to hold a special meaning. My gaze lingers on a necklace with two interlocking circles, a tiny diamond nestled where they meet.

"Find something you like?" Evan's breath tickles my ear, and I catch the whimper.

"They're beautiful." I trace the necklace with a fingertip, admiring the craftsmanship. "But I couldn't possibly..."

"Nonsense." He reaches past me, plucking the necklace from its perch. "It's perfect for you."

My heart stutters as he holds it up, the charms swaying. Two circles, forever entwined. A symbol of unbreakable connection. Of a bond that stands the test of time.

Like ours.

Tears prick behind my eyes. I blink them back, determined not to get emotional over a piece of jewelry. But it's not just a necklace - it's a reflection of everything Evan and I share. A reminder that, no matter how far we stray, our paths will always lead back to each other.

"May I?" Evan's voice is soft, almost reverent.

I nod, and he steps behind me, brushing my curls aside with gentle fingers. The necklace settles against my skin, a comforting weight. A tangible representation of the feelings I've tried so hard to ignore.

Turning, I meet his gaze my own brimming with unshed tears. "Evan?"

"Shh." He presses a finger to my lips, silencing my protest. "Let me give this to you. Please."

"Thank you," I whisper, voice thick with emotion. "It's beautiful."

"You're beautiful." Evan cups my face, thumb stroking my cheekbone. "Inside and out."

My breath hitches. How can three little words undo me so completely? Melt the walls I've spent years fortifying?

Because it's him. It's always been him.

Tears slip free, trailing down my cheeks. Evan brushes them away, touch achingly gentle. "Hey, no crying. This is a happy moment."

"These are happy tears." I laugh wetly, blinking up at him. "I just... I can't believe this is real. You and me, here..."

"Believe it, Mer." His smile is blinding, full of joy and promise.

The live band's jazzy rendition of "Jingle Bells" draws us in, bodies swaying to the festive rhythm. Evan's arm slips around my waist, anchoring me against his solid warmth. I melt into his embrace, letting the music wash over us.

We move together, in perfect sync. His heartbeat thrums beneath my cheek, steady and strong. A reminder that this is real. That we're real.

Twinkling lights reflect in his eyes, turning them molten gold. "Not bad for an old rugby player."

"Less of the old, thank you very much." He twirls me out, then back into his arms, grinning. "I've still got moves."

"Mm, I remember." Heat unfurls low in my belly, memories of stolen moments and secret kisses rushing back. "You were quite the dancer back in the day."

"Only because I had the right partner." Evan dips me, our faces inches apart. "I've missed this. Missed you."

Emotion clogs my throat. "I've missed you too. More than you know."

We sway, lost in our little bubble. Right here, right now, nothing else matters. Just him and me and this perfect moment.

"Hey, Mer?" Evan's lips brush my ear, and I tremble at the contact. "Want to hear a joke?"

"Always." I grin up at him, already anticipating the punchline.

He leans in close, voice low and conspiratorial. "What do you call a reindeer with no eyes?"

"I don't know, what?"

"No eye deer!"

The silly pun startles a laugh out of me, echoing across the market. Evan joins in, his deep chuckle mingling with my giggles. Nearby shoppers smile at our mirth, caught up in our infectious joy.

"That was terrible," I gasp out between laughs, wiping tears from my eyes. "Truly awful."

"But it made you laugh." He looks entirely too pleased with himself. "And that's all I ever want to do. Make you happy."

My heart squeezes, fit to burst. "You do, Evan. More than anything."

He kisses me then, soft and sweet, a promise of forever. And I kiss him back, pouring every ounce of love and longing into the caress.

The warmth of Evan's touch lingers as we drift away from the stage, hands still entwined. My heart feels full to bursting, a kaleidoscope of emotions swirling within me.

A familiar scent catches my attention, and I turn to see a nearby stall selling steaming cups of cider. "Ooh, that smells divine!" I pull Evan toward the enticing aroma.

He chuckles, allowing me to lead the way. "Two cups of your finest cider, please," he requests, flashing that charming smile at the vendor.

Moments later, we're cradling the warm beverages, tendrils of steam curling in the crisp air. I take a tentative sip, the rich, spiced flavor dancing across my tongue. "Mmm, it's perfect."

"Just like you," Evan murmurs, his free hand finding the small of my back as we amble through the market.

"Flatterer."

We walk in comfortable silence, savoring our cider and the simple pleasure of being together. Evan's presence is a soothing balm, easing the last vestiges of tension from my shoulders.

A flash of green catches my eye. There, hanging from the eaves of a nearby stall, is a sprig of mistletoe.

I nudge Evan, nodding toward the festive decoration. "Hey, look."

He follows my gaze, brows lifting in surprise. "Is that...?"

"Yep." I smirk, feeling bold and playful. "You know what that means."

Evan's eyes sparkle, a slow grin spreading across his face. "I do indeed."

"Well?" I arch a brow, a silent challenge. "Are you going to kiss me or not?"

Evan's gaze locks with mine, a flicker of anticipation dancing in those warm depths. He sets his cider aside, stepping closer until we're toe-to-toe beneath the mistletoe. "I thought you'd never ask."

His hands find my waist, drawing me near. My breath catches, pulse quickening as he leans in, his lips a whisper from mine. The world fades away, narrowing to this single, perfect moment.

Then, with a tenderness that makes my heart ache, Evan closes the gap. His mouth melds to mine, soft and unhurried, a kiss that speaks of cherished memories and budding promise. I melt into him, fingers curling into the front of his coat, anchoring myself to the solid warmth of his body.

The kiss lingers, sweet and intimate, a delicate glow kindling between us. When we part, I'm breathless.

"Wow," I whisper, a little dazed.

He chuckles, the sound low and rich. "Merry Christmas to us, huh?"

I laugh, heart full to bursting. "The merriest."

The glow of the holiday market fades behind us as we amble down the cobblestone path, our arms brushing with each step. Evan's hand is warm in mine, his grip steady and sure. I can't stop sneaking glances at him, marveling at the way the moonlight plays across his features, softening the angles and highlighting the signs of his age.

He catches me looking and quirks an eyebrow. "See something you like, Robinson?"

Heat floods my cheeks, but I don't look away. "Wouldn’t you like to know?"

Evan's laughter rings out, clear and bright in the crisp night air. "I would."

We walk in comfortable silence, the distant strains of holiday music and the crunch of snow beneath our boots the only sounds.

"So, what now?"

"Well, I suppose we could call it a night..." I trail off, biting back a grin at the flicker of disappointment that crosses his face.

"Or?" he prompts, hope creeping into his tone.

I step closer, our breath mingling in the scant space between us. "Or we could ditch the festivities and do something else?"