SEALed Under the Mistletoe

Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

VICKIE

T he hum of joyful conversation filled the small resort spa, blending with the soft trickle of water from a wall fountain and the faint, relaxing notes of classical music. The smells of nail polish, harsh chemicals and the eucalyptus soak Vickie had chosen for her pedicure soak filled the air. She’d let herself sink into the plush pedicure chair, savoring the rare moment of stillness.

Around her, the women in her life—her sisters, mother, grandmother, cousins, and the groom’s family—bustled with laughter and chatter, their energy as vibrant as the colors of polish lined up on the counter. She looked carefully at the different colors of polish before choosing to do a matching French tip for her fingers and her toes. It would match not only her bridesmaid dress but all the other outfits she’d picked out for the week.

The spa at the upscale ski resort was luxurious, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering sweeping views of the snow-dusted mountain peaks. Snowflakes drifted lazily outside, while the warm interior was all soothing beige tones and soft candlelight. They’d rented out the entire space —a gift from Melody to the women in the wedding party and close family.

“You’ve got to admit,” Ashley said from her chair two down from Vickie’s, where a technician was diligently filing her nails. “This is the perfect way to kick off the week. I mean, I’m sure the skiing and gingerbread house competition is going to be fun and all, but this? Pure heaven.”

“It’s a brilliant idea,” Eliza agreed, wiggling her toes as the woman in front of her brushed on a deep red polish. “Thank you, Melody.”

Melody, seated at the far end, smiled. “I just wanted to make sure everyone has fun this week. It’s not just my wedding—it’s everyone’s Christmas week. Plus, this is a great chance for us all to spend time together.”

“I second that,” said Janet, the groom’s mother, who had been soaking her feet in the warm, fragrant water for nearly ten minutes. “With four boys, I never got to do things like this with a group of women. This is fun!”

“You deserve it,” Elizabeth, Vickie’s mother, said warmly. “And so does Grams.” She nodded toward Vickie’s grandmother, who was ensconced in the chair next to her, beaming as the spa attendant massaged her feet.

“Oh, don’t mind me,” Grams said, waving a hand. “I’m just here for the company and to keep an eye on all of you.”

“Someone’s got to,” Eliza teased.

The room erupted in laughter, and Vickie couldn’t help but smile. The joy was infectious, even if a part of her still felt weighed down by last night. Her chest tightened at the thought of Knox and their kiss. It wasn’t their first kiss, even if it felt like it was.

“So,” Ashley said, her voice cutting through the easy laughter. “Speaking of company… Did you see those men at dinner last night? Knox and his brothers? Oh, my God.” She fanned herself dramatically. “I mean, the gene pool in that family is just unfair.”

Vickie stiffened, her fingers curling into her palms as Ashley’s words washed over her. She forced her gaze to stay on the real-estate ad she was designing on her phone instead of snapping her head up. Her stomach churned. Of course, Ashley had noticed Knox. Any warm blooded woman with eyes would notice him.

“Oh, honey,” Eliza drawled, glancing at Ashley with a sly grin. “Knox is off-limits.”

Ashley blinked, clearly startled. “Off-limits? Why? He doesn’t have a wife, does he? Because he didn’t have a ring on. I looked.”

“He’s off-limits because he belongs to Vickie,” Eliza declared with a grin that was both teasing and pointed.

Vickie’s head snapped up, her face heating. “Eliza! That’s not?—”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Ashley leaned forward, her blonde hair spilling over her shoulder as she studied Vickie with interest. “You and Knox? Seriously? Since when? You didn’t say anything last night. Vickie! I wouldn’t have hit on him if I’d known.”

“It’s fine. There wasn’t anything to say,” Vickie muttered, wishing the earth would open up and swallow her. The eyes of every woman in the room were on her now, their curiosity palpable.

“Oh, come on, Vic,” Eve chimed in, leaning back in her chair with a smirk. “You two obviously have history. And chemistry.”

“History doesn’t mean anything,” Vickie said sharply, her tone a little more defensive than she intended. “We had a… moment. A long time ago. That’s it.”

Grams made a sound of disapproval. “Don’t lie to yourself, Vickie. You’re only wasting time. You and that young man are meant to be. I saw how you two looked at each other this morning.”

The room fell silent at Grams’ declaration, and Vickie felt the weight of everyone’s gaze again. She opened her mouth to protest, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, she flashed back to that morning three years ago—the woman standing in Knox’s doorway, looking impossibly put-together and gorgeous. She had looked so much like Ashley: the same golden hair, the same figure, the same easy confidence. Vickie could still remember the way her stomach had dropped, the sharp stab of betrayal as she’d pieced together what she thought had happened. Knox had lied. He’d used her. And yet, last night, he’d denied it. She’d been wrong all this time. It was hard to let go of three years’ worth of bitterness. She’d jumped to conclusions, and it’d cost her. Her heart warred with her head, the ache of old wounds colliding with the glimmer of hope that maybe—just maybe—things weren’t as they seemed. Was there a potential future with Knox?

Doubtful.

She didn’t even know where he was stationed these days. Was he still in California? It was on the other side of the country from where she lived now. Besides, she didn’t have time for a relationship. She was setting up what she hoped to be a very successful real estate company and taking care of Grams. A man didn’t fit in the equation. Back when they had their one date, she’d been clear with him. One date. No more.

Then why? Why did her heart hurt with every excuse her mind made to stay away from him? Why did she long to be in his arms again? Although, if she were to be completely honest, he wasn’t acting like the man she’d first met. The one who implied she’d be in trouble if she lied to him. The one who said, “If you were mine, your confidence would radiate. You’d know your worth, and you wouldn’t let anyone treat you otherwise.” She’d thought about that phrase again and again over the past years.

When he’d called her to the table for lying… Implying there’d be consequences if she belonged to him. When he leaned in and whispered to her, “you want a man who protects you, both your body and your heart. To do that, you’d have to give him both.” Where was that man? The man who’d been a dominant alpha male. Who took what he wanted? The one who didn’t let her speak poorly about herself. Who made her underwear dampen when he said, “good girl.” That wasn’t the same man she’d seen yesterday. He seemed almost unsure of himself. He’d let her dismiss him. Maybe he wasn’t who she thought he was.

God. She was so fucking conflicted.

“Vickie?” Melody’s gentle voice interrupted her thoughts. “Are you okay?”

Vickie blinked, realizing everyone was still waiting for her to say something. She exhaled shakily, running a hand through her hair. “I don’t know what’s going to happen between me and Knox,” she admitted, her voice quiet but steady. “There’s a history there, and it’s… complicated. I don’t want to make any promises or assumptions.”

“That’s fair,” Janet said, nodding. “Relationships are messy, and sometimes it takes time to figure things out.”

“But you like him, don’t you?” Kayla, one of Gage’s cousins, asked, her tone curious but kind.

Vickie hesitated, the words sticking in her throat. Did she like him? Or was it more than that? Did she still have feelings for him, buried under years of hurt and doubt? She didn’t know how to answer, so she stayed silent.

Grams, however, wasn’t content with silence. “She loves him,” she said matter-of-factly, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “She just doesn’t know it yet.”

“Grams!” Vickie exclaimed, her cheeks flaming.

“Well, you do,” Grams said with a shrug, unbothered by the outburst. “And I’ll say it again: you two are meant to be. The sooner you accept it, the better.”

The room erupted into laughter again, though this time, it was more subdued tinged with warmth and encouragement rather than teasing. Even Ashley looked slightly chastened, her earlier enthusiasm tempered by the weight of the conversation.

“Maybe Grams is right,” Eve said, her tone unusually soft. “Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith.”

Vickie didn’t respond. She couldn’t. Her heart felt too full, her emotions too tangled to sort through in the middle of a spa day. Instead, she focused on the technician working on her feet, the rhythmic motion of the brush against her nails grounding her.

She didn’t know what the future held for her and Knox, but one thing was clear: she couldn’t keep running from her feelings. Whatever happened, she would have to face them – and the sooner, the better.