Puppy Love at Mistletoe Junction

Chapter Seventeen Can’t Help Falling in Love

The room was plunged into complete darkness, or nearly complete except for the exit signs above the doors. And their glow wasn’t enough to help see anything. Everyone in the room had gone silent, all that could be heard faint squeaks and the rustle of the curtains as they were pulled open.

Once those sounds stopped, a new one filled the room: piano chords. Theo knew the song almost instantly. How could he not with his grandparents being huge Elvis fans? But it wasn’t Elvis who started singing. The second he heard Lucy’s voice, goose bumps broke out over Theo’s skin. Just like they always had—and, he suspected, like they always would.

The lights on the stage slowly came on, illuminating Lucy. She was sitting at a black baby grand piano and there was nothing else onstage except for the trees in the background. The Christmas lights strung among the branches lit up a second later, making it easier to see.

Lucy was sitting in such a way that Theo could see her at the piano, but she could also look out at the audience. How was it that she was wearing a velvet green dress? Just like she had been the first time he’d seen her on that stage. It wasn’t the same one, obviously, and while she was wearing red shoes, they weren’t the Converse she was partial to. No, they were a pair of bright red heels, her feet pressing the pedals of the piano as she sang about wise men and fools in love.

Lucy’s eyes came up, finding Theo in the audience as she sang, asking if she should stay.

“Yes,”

Theo said, his voice barely above a whisper.

He couldn’t be sure, but there was a small flicker of something on Lucy’s face, something that looked like relief and joy. Her mouth quirked to the side as she continued to sing, and her eyes didn’t leave his for the rest of the song.

The second the music stopped, the curtains closed in a rush, Lucy disappearing behind the heavy purple velvet. Theo was standing before he even knew it, moving through the row. He’d never needed to get to a person faster in his life.

“Sorry, excuse me. Sorry,”

he repeated over and over again, most of the people attempting to get out of the way before he got to them.

“Go get her, Theo!”

someone who sounded a whole hell of a lot like Wes called out from the audience while someone else wolf whistled.

There were more shouts and cheers as Theo mounted the steps and pushed through the heavy curtains to the backstage area.

Lucy was standing there, fidgeting with her hands. “Hey, you.”

But that was all she got out before Theo grabbed her face and covered her mouth with his. Her hands were at the front of his shirt, fisting in the fabric as she held on to him. The scent of her consumed him. She consumed him. And the kiss was like a brand on his soul, forgiveness wrapped up in a promise.

Theo pulled back, his forehead pressed against hers, their mouths barely separated. “Did you mean it? What you sang?”

“Yes.”

That little word filled his soul, but it was nothing compared to the words she said next. “I’m in love with you, Theodore.

“And you’re staying?”

“Yes. I choose you. I choose this. I want to be here with you.”

“Thank god.”

And then he was kissing her again, his hands moving to the back of her head, his fingers twining in her beautiful hair. The very last thing that he wanted to do was let go, but someone very loudly cleared their throat behind them.

Theo pulled back to see that they had an audience of a dozen or so students, Chloe and Gia standing at the front. “You know we have a show to put on, right?”

his sister asked, tapping her naked wrist as if there were a watch there.

“I should get back to my seat.”

Theo placed one more kiss on Lucy’s mouth before he reluctantly let her go. “I’ll see you after.”

“After.”

Lucy grinned, biting at her bottom lip in that way that drove him crazy. But the woman had always driven him crazy, and he loved her all the more for it.

* * *

There was a line of parents snaking through the auditorium after the performance, all of them wanting to get a quick word in with Lucy about the musical or congratulating her on taking the job. She couldn’t be more pleased with how everything had gone. Sure, there’d been a few hiccups here and there, but nothing major and the cast had always recovered.

She was flying high on the evening, but nothing had made her happier than what had happened with Theo. He’d found her again after the musical, giving her another kiss as he told her how amazing it had been. But then he’d taken a step back after, letting her be in the spotlight.

The thing was, the only place Lucy wanted to be was alone with Theo. She wanted to tell him everything, everything she’d been holding back all week . . . and for the months and years before that. She wanted to bare her soul to him. Singing that song had been like cracking her chest open and putting her heart in his hands. And the second she did it, the fear was gone. She’d known he was going to take care of it, just like she was going to do when it came to his heart.

It was after ten when Theo helped her into her winter coat, kissing her neck as he pulled her hair out from the back.

“I think I get to call bingo,”

Theo said as he grabbed her hand and they made their way out to the parking lot.

“And why’s that?”

Lucy asked.

“Because we literally kissed and made up.”

They bypassed her SUV and headed for his truck, their footsteps echoing in the parking lot.

“What do you want as your prize?”

“I already got it.”

“You think so?”

She looked over at him, that smile he loved on her mouth.

“I know so. I saw the video of you singing to Bear.”

Lucy’s hand tightened in his. “I didn’t realize I’d sent that to Gia . . . and I didn’t know she posted it until this afternoon. When did you see it?”

“Literally before the curtain call. When did you write it?”

Lucy hesitated for just a second, taking a deep breath before letting it out. It fogged the air between them. “After we kissed.”

“A couple of weeks ago?”

“No.”

She shook her head. “Seven years ago. I couldn’t get it right. In all those years, I wrote it and rewrote it and wrote it again. I didn’t know how to finish it. But I think I finally figured it out.”

Theo stopped as they got to his truck, pushing her back against the passenger door. It was cold against her back, but she didn’t care. He reached for her hair, twirling one of her loose curls around his finger. “What did you figure out?”

Her hands were on his chest, moving up the front of his jacket. “That it wasn’t about how I finished it, but in how I started it. Because this is only the beginning.”

“So, what’s the next step?”

Lucy gripped his lapels before she pulled him closer. “You take me home and make love to me for hours.”

“And after that?”

“I don’t know.”

She shook her head. “But we’ll figure it out together.”

“Together,”

Theo agreed before he sealed the promise with a kiss.

* * *

Turned out that the next step was moving Lucy, Bear, and Estee into Theo’s place. Just temporarily, though. They both knew it was too soon for anything permanent, and they were going to take it day by day. But the reason they rushed this particular step was because of Bear. The dog needed more space and a permanent place to settle in.

It didn’t feel too fast for Theo, though, mainly because except for those four days they’d been apart, they’d spent every night together since things had started. He knew the options were either his house or her dad’s. He didn’t really think Wes would be okay with Theo moving in, which would’ve happened, as Theo had no intention of missing a night with her anytime soon.

The whelping box was easy enough to disassemble, and Max helped Theo bring it down the stairs and load it into his truck. Meanwhile Lucy and Caro were packing a few bags.

“Have you seen the video of Lucy singing last night?”

Caro asked Theo. “It’s blown up more than the one of her singing to Bear.”

“A couple of times.”

Theo nodded. He hadn’t been able to help himself that morning, playing it over and over and over again.

“Have you delved into the comments?”

Max asked. “It’s like a romance novel in there.”

“No.”

Theo shook his head. “I’ve learned to stay out of the comments recently; good or bad, they can be a lot. Besides, we’ve been a bit busy.”

He nodded to Lucy.

“I’ll just bet you have.”

Caro grinned. “And now you’re moving in together.”

“You know we’re only doing it because of Bear,”

Lucy said.

“Sure, you are.”

Max gave them a sarcastic little smirk.

“Hey, I don’t want to hear anything from you.”

Lucy pointed to her future brother-in-law. “How long was it until Caro moved in with you?”

“Okay, okay, point taken.”

Max held his hands up in surrender. “Just know this,”

he said as he turned to Theo. “When it comes to the Buchanan women their hair gets everywhere and you will find hair ties in places you wouldn’t even imagine, you should always have pastries in the house—which won’t be a problem for you—and they’re cover hogs.”

“How do you know I’m a cover hog?”

Lucy turned to Max.

“I have sat on the sofa with you during many a movie night over the years, and you always steal the blanket. Always.”

Apparently the only comeback Lucy had was to stick her tongue out at Max.

“Thanks for the advice.”

Theo grinned. “I’ll just have to get bigger blankets.”

Lucy looked over at him, grinning. That smile hadn’t really left her face since the night before, and neither had Theo’s.

* * *

Night two of the musical was a little less dramatic than the first, but only when it came to the first part of the evening. Word had gotten around that Mrs. Griffith was retiring, but she showed up again to give her speech to that night’s audience, and Lucy opened the show by singing “Can’t Help Falling in Love”

for a second time. Theo sat in the exact same seat as he had the night before, Naomi joining him.

But this time when Lucy sang it, she wasn’t nearly as nervous, knowing the ending . . . or the beginning, as the case may be.

Sunday was spent at Theo’s house, neither of them having any interest in venturing out into the cold December weather. When they woke up, he pulled her over him, his hands spanning her thighs as she rode him. The moment she came—his name still echoing in the air around them—he rolled her onto her back and did it all over again.

They made breakfast, their new Sunday tradition of pancakes and bacon. It wasn’t lost on Lucy how they moved around the kitchen together, like they’d figured out their rhythm of exactly how to work together. It was a lot easier in Theo’s kitchen than it had been in Lucy’s, probably because it was three times the size.

Most of the day was spent lying on Theo’s massive leather sofa, a fire blazing in the fireplace and football playing in the background. Lucy worked through the stack of papers that needed grading and Theo sketched out cake designs for a wedding. Her feet were in his lap, and after a while, he set down the pad and started rubbing his thumbs over her arches.

As Lucy had been wearing heels during the nights of the musical, her feet were more than a little sore, and she couldn’t help the moan that escaped her lips. Nor could she help the other moans when Theo laid her out on that sofa and sunk into her.

It turned out to be a glorious Sunday, one that Lucy hoped she’d get to enjoy many, many times in the future.

The following week went by in flash. Monday and Tuesday she and her students were reviewing for finals, which would be taking place the last three days of the week.

Wednesday just so happened to be Lucy’s thirtieth birthday, and Theo made the day special from beginning to end. He woke her up with his usual flare, before making her coffee and pulling out a box of doughnuts for breakfast. But then he pulled out another box, that one much smaller.

Lucy popped it open to find a simple gold necklace with a turquoise pendant and matching earrings.

“I know it’s probably cliché to get you something with your birthstone,”

he said as he brushed her hair back before helping her put the necklace on. “But I just thought it was really pretty.”

“It’s not cliché,”

Lucy said softly, as she turned around. “I love it.”

“I love you.”

He pressed a kiss to her mouth. “Happy birthday, Lucy.”

That morning would’ve been enough, so she was surprised to find that Theo was already home when she got back to his place that afternoon, the house smelling of something decadent. She was even more surprised when he ushered her into his bathroom, where the bathtub was filled with steaming water and bubbles. Candles had been lit all around the room and there was music playing softly from a speaker.

“When you get out,”

he whispered against her neck as he helped her out of her jacket, “we’ll have dinner and dessert.”

“Are you not joining me?”

she asked, pointing to the tub.

“I’ll do whatever you want me to. It’s your birthday.”

“Then I want you to join me,”

she said as she reached for the front of his pants.

Lucy wasn’t the only one who was settling into her days at Theo’s. Estee adapted easily, acting like Theo’s house was hers almost immediately. Every cozy spot became hers and she had no qualms about stretching out wherever she wanted.

Bear had also gotten quite comfortable, or as comfortable as she could be with her ever-growing belly. Things were a lot easier for her to navigate at his house, especially without the stairs for her to climb multiple times a day. It also was helpful that Theo’s house was so close to the school. Since he left after Lucy, Bear was only alone for a couple of hours before Lucy could pop by on her free period. And then Gia and Chloe were able to come by right after school to let her out.

Theo had also set up a camera in the living room to keep an eye on Bear, so he and Lucy were able to check on her multiple times a day that way. Luckily it was only that week in which Bear was on her own during the day. Once finals were done, Lucy was off until after the new year.

Bear’s last vet appointment was on the first Monday of Lucy’s break, and Oscar said she was definitely getting close to week nine, meaning she could be giving birth any day now. She’d started to become a little moody, not wanting attention so much and staying in her whelping box. Her appetite had also started to decrease, and she was turning her nose up at her food more often than not.

“Well, someone has become a diva,”

Lucy said as Bear walked out of the kitchen, leaving her plate of eggs half eaten. Theo had made them in hopes they’d be a little gentler on her stomach.

“She’ll tell us if she’s hungry.”

Theo grabbed the bowl off the floor before Estee could pounce on it.

For the most part, Lucy spent her days hanging out at Theo’s house. She worked on her music a little, recording more videos to post to Bear’s page and her own. The two videos that had come out during the musical were still climbing in views, Lucy’s own follower count going up drastically.

Gia and Chloe were also over a lot, watching Bear when Lucy needed to run some errands or if she and Theo went out. Naomi and Harlow were both in town for Christmas, so they made regular visits as well. Since Lucy had time to do it, she cooked dinner for her and Theo, and they even had his family dinner night at his place on Tuesday, Lucy making chicken enchiladas and chiles rellenos.

They ventured out on Thursday, going to her dad’s house for dinner. Not only were Lorraine and Sasha in attendance, but Oscar and Edward were too.

“Looks like things are moving along nicely with you,”

Lucy whispered to Oscar as he filled up her wineglass.

“Well, I haven’t moved in with him yet.”

He waggled his eyebrows at her.

“I didn’t move in with Theo, I’m just staying there.”

“How much do you want to bet you don’t stop staying there?”

“I’ll take that bet,”

Max said, joining their conversation. “I know the signs; you aren’t going anywhere.”

“You make it sound like it’s a hostage situation.”

“Nah.”

Oscar shook his head, grinning. “It’s because the man has never looked happier. Lucy, I’m telling you, he isn’t going anywhere.”

“I know.”

She nodded. “I’m not either. You know I took the job. I’m staying.”

“We know, and we’re happy,”

Max said as he looped his arm around her neck, gently pulling her in to press a kiss to the top of her head.

Lucy had never felt surer of a decision in her life; everything felt right about staying in Cruickshank, about taking the job, about being with Theo. Which was undoubtedly why the universe decided to test her the following morning.

Theo didn’t need to be at the bakery until nine, so he’d pulled her into the shower, both of them taking their time with the soapy hot water.

“Have I told you how much the scent of you drives me crazy?”

Theo asked as he pressed his face into her neck, kissing her throat.

Lucy turned around, her arms looping around his neck as he pushed her back into the tiled wall. “Have I mentioned how much I love the way you touch me? How you’re gentle and possessive all at the same time? Or the scrape of your beard on my skin?”

“I’m captivated by your voice . . . when you talk, when you sing, when you’re moaning my name.”

One of his hands moved between her thighs, her wetness having nothing to do with the water pouring down around them.

“Fuck, Lucy,”

Theo groaned.

Theo took his time playing with Lucy, holding her up against the wall as the orgasm crashed through her. Once she had the use of her legs again, she sat down on the little tiled bench and took him apart with her mouth.

Lucy wished she could spend the day with him, but that wasn’t a possibility. Christmas was three days away and as Browned Butter wasn’t open on Sundays, they only had two days to fill the demands of everyone in town for holiday sweets. Besides, Lucy had a busy day of wrapping presents while watching Christmas movies ahead of her. Sasha was coming over too, her own pile of gifts to wrap.

“Do I need to pick anything up for dinner?”

Theo asked as he rummaged through his closet for his jacket.

“Nope.”

Lucy shook her head, the word a little garbled. She was brushing her teeth as she looked through messages on her phone, and as she scrolled down, she almost inhaled a mouthful of toothpaste. “Oh my god.”

“Are you okay?”

Theo asked.

“No.”

Lucy rinsed her mouth out before setting the toothbrush down and grabbing her phone again. She pulled up the direct message that had almost choked her. It had been sent a few days ago but she hadn’t been the best about checking, especially as a lot of people were messaging her about adopting Bear’s puppies. And as previously stated, none of those babies were going to strangers.

“Remington Marks sent me a message,”

she whispered as she continued reading. “He’s going to be in Atlanta on Saturday for a concert and he wants to meet me.”

She looked up at Theo, the excitement at seeing the message disappearing as she saw his face. Something had shuttered in his eyes, and his expression had gone a little hard. It wasn’t so much anger as worry . . . fear. He took a step back, leaning against the counter as he folded his arms across his chest. “Who’s Remington Marks?”

“No one important.”

She shook her head, setting her phone back down on the counter.

“Lucy? Come on. I know that’s not true. Seeing his name almost killed you.”

There was no use in lying; besides, they’d said no more secrets after what happened before. “He’s a pretty important talent agent,”

she relented. “I know his name because he’s signed some good artists. He’s got a reputation for discovering unknowns and making them big.”

“And now he’s discovered you?”

“Yeah.”

She nodded. “He saw the video of my singing to Bear and then the one at the musical.”

Theo nodded slowly. “Do you want to go?”

“I . . .”

Lucy hesitated. “I don’t know. If I’d gotten this message months ago, I would’ve jumped all over it. But things have changed. I’m staying in Cruickshank. I finally have a job that I love . . . and most importantly, there’s you. I love you, Theo. I chose you.”

Theo’s arms unwound from across his chest, and he closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her against him. “I know you love me, and that you chose me. But I don’t want you to have regrets.”

“About picking you? I don’t have regrets.”

She looked up at him, shaking her head.

“No.”

He ran his hand across her cheek, pushing back a strand of wet hair. “I don’t want you to have regrets about not taking the meeting. I don’t want you to think what if or what could’ve been when it comes to your music career. I think you should go.”

“But what about us?”

“You just said it, Luce. You love me, and I love you. We don’t know what will come of the meeting now, but we’ll at least know after. And we can figure us out either way.”

“You’re sure?”

It was true, she would always wonder if she didn’t meet with the guy.

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

“Is this a test? Am I going to fail it if I go?”

Theo let out a small laugh. “No. This isn’t a test. I promise.”

He pulled her against his chest, his mouth by her ear as he said, “I want you to go.”

* * *

“Theo wants you to what?!”

Sasha all but shouted as she stood in Theo’s kitchen. “Is this some weird game with the two of you?”

Her friend had gotten there about half an hour ago, the two of them setting up a wrapping station at the kitchen island as they sipped on hot chocolate that Lucy had spiked with peppermint schnapps.

What? It was after noon, and she needed a little liquid courage to have this conversation with Sasha. And rightly so, as her friend was a wee bit upset with the news.

“No, it’s not a game. He just wants me to know. Like know know.”

“But don’t you already know? I thought that was what you singing your heart out to him was all about.”

“It was. And I am sure about everything that has to do with Theo. He wants me to be sure about this too, about walking away from something that could lead to a future in music.”

Sasha’s frown deepened as she slid onto the barstool. “So, what happens if this guy wants to sign you?”

“I don’t know.”

Lucy shrugged. “The first step is actually taking the meeting.”

“Is Theo going with you?”

“No, both of us can’t be that far away from Bear as she’s literally days away from giving birth.”

Lucy gestured to the dog, who was lying down on the dog bed they kept in the kitchen. She was asleep but she opened her eyes at the sound of her name. “I already feel guilty about leaving her, but Gia and Chloe are going to stay here with her so she isn’t alone.”

“Well, you aren’t going to be alone either.”

Sasha shook her head. “Because I’m going with you to Atlanta. What time are we leaving?”

Lucy grinned, because of course Sasha was going with her. They were ride or die, had been for as long as she could remember. It was the same with how she was with Lilah and Caro. Their relationships were the strongest that Lucy had, ones that had stood the test of time and distance.

She didn’t know where she’d be without them.