Something Just Like This Page 16

  I wanted to be my own boss. This works, too, though. I’m able to work a nine-to-five job, have insurance provided for me, and a steady paycheck. “This is exactly what I want,” I tell her as I reach my hands across and take a hold of them. She squeezes tight, and I lean over the table and kiss her.

  “Dig in. I hope you like it.”

  I know I’ll love it. She doesn’t cook often, but when she does, it’s amazing. I cut off a piece of the steak, and the first bite is as tender as I imagined. “Mmm. You sure know your way around a steak.”

  “If you play your cards right, that’s not the only thing I know my way around.” She winks as she slides the fork between her teeth.

  Carly’s wedding is in a little over a month, and I can’t wait to dance with Juliette at it. Our bodies close together, the music playing, the wine flowing. “I’ve been wanting to ask you something.”

  “Oh?” She sets her fork down and gives me her undivided attention.

  “With Carly’s wedding coming up, and your rendezvous in the wedding dress, does that change how you feel about marriage?” I want to feel her out before I make the biggest purchase of my life.

  “You’re getting straight to the point, aren’t you?”

  “Well, my family is very important to me. I’m okay if you never want to get married. I really am. As long as I’m with you, I’m happy.”

  “But.”

  “Yes, there is a but. It’s not an ultimatum if that’s what you’re thinking.” I don’t believe in ultimatums. Love doesn’t come with requirements. “Marriage is something I hope you think about. It’s something I hope to one day have with you. I understand if it’s not on the table with you, but—there’s the but—but I want you to tell me now if it’s not so I can plan accordingly.”

  She stands from the table and moves her chair next to me. “So you’re making plans?” Her hand touches my knee and moves up my thigh.

  “Maybe.” My voice cracks like a teenage boy.

  “If anyone has taught me to believe in love again, it’s you.” Her hand squeezes my thigh now as she kisses me. I nibble on her lip as we break apart.

  “Never in my life did I think I’d fall in love with an elf.”

  She playfully hits me on the shoulder. “It’s not like I’m an elf all year long.”

  “Even if you were, I’d love you anyway.”

  That’s the first time I’ve said those words to her. The first time I allowed myself to be vulnerable. I wanted to say it so many times before. Each time I feared she wouldn’t reciprocate. I’d be left with my confession of love in the air with her words of silence slicing through me. Today, as I begin to move forward with my life and my sister starts to save hers, I need to tell her. This new year means new beginnings. And I want Juliette to be in it, and she has to know how I really feel.

  Her eyes moisten as she takes a breath. “Landon, I love you, too.”

  When our lips touch, I know her faith in marriage has been rejuvenated, and I know that this year I will ask her to be my wife.

  32

  Juliette

  The following Christmas

  Christmas morning is finally here. The last time this morning brought me excitement like this was decades ago. Now, with a ring on my finger, and a baby growing in my belly, I can’t wait to celebrate with Landon, his family, and my mom and brother.

  All of us together.

  We’re at my house, and I decorated on my own. Landon moved in over Thanksgiving, after he proposed, and while working on a large project at work—with a lot of overtime—I found the time to decorate. The tree, the garland, the outside lights. Our house has it all.

  “Auntie Jules!” Abby greets me with a hug. I love this girl so much, and I can’t wait for her to be our flower girl in the summer. With the baby due in June, we’re planning an August wedding. It seems so far away, but we have so much to look forward to.

  “Hey, sweetie pie! Your uncle and I have a lot of presents for you and your sister. We can’t wait for you to open them.”

  She hops away from me to say hi to my mom. She’s grown close with my family, which I love. This has been a fantastic year, and next year will be even better.

  “Courtney, your hair!” She steps through the door and takes off her hat, her hair in the cutest pixie cut I’ve ever seen. Her hair has grown back enough after her treatments that she’s stopped wearing her wig. “You look amazing.”

  “Thanks,” she kisses my cheek. “I feel amazing.” The treatments did their job, and she’s in remission. That’s the best Christmas present anyone could ask for.

  Arthur comes in behind her with Audrey in his arms. She reaches for the ground, and he sets her down. She takes off running for the gifts.

  “You two have had your hands full since she started walking,” Landon says.

  “Walking? Dear brother, she is full-on running. You better watch out because she will take you down.”

  Audrey runs right into Hunter. “Whoa, girl, slow down!” He picks her up, kisses her, and sets her back down. She keeps running as though she never stopped.

  “I say we get into these presents right away. I don’t think the kids will last too long if we wait.” Abby is practically salivating as she stands in front of the tree.

  Everyone finds a seat, except for Audrey, who is too happy to race around with her newfound ability. I search through the gifts and pick up a box. “Here. Open mine.” I hand the present to Hunter. He’s still living with our mom, but he has a full-time job and money in the bank. His own money.

  Without even taking a moment to examine the box, he rips off the paper. “A drone?” He flips the box a few times as he looks it over.

  “Yeah. I know it’s a little childish, but I remember you geeking out about it.”

  “Totally! Thank you!” He jumps up and hugs me. “Thanks, sis. And Landon. You guys are awesome.”

  “No. Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For giving me a second chance when I didn’t deserve it.” When he came back into my life, I didn’t exactly welcome him with open arms. He didn’t have to forgive me after I accused him of stealing from our mother again.

  “Everyone in life deserves a second chance. We all make mistakes, learn from them, and move forward. The most important thing is we’re surrounded by people who love us.”

  I study the people surrounding the Christmas tree, their bright smiles and full hearts, and I submerge myself in it. My whole life I’ve searched for something just like this.

  And now I have it.

  The End

  * * *

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  Acknowledgments

  Do you know that feeling when you first hear a song and a wave of emotion washes over you? When I first heard “Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers & Coldplay my chest puffed up and my eyes filled with tears. Something about this song took over me, and I knew I had to write a book. When I decided to start writing, the holidays were approaching. For the longest time I wanted to write a book loosely based on The Grinch. So I combined the two. So, first and foremost, thank you to The Chainsmokers, Coldplay, and Dr. Seuss!

  Tiffany and Stephanie, I appreciate you always taking the time out to read my books and give feedback. Your criticism, good and bad, helps mold my words into the stories I want to tell. Both of you provided so much support through the months I wrote this.

  Lola, I need to thank you. You helped with the cover reveal and the tour. You’re a pleasure to work with, and you make the entire process so easy.

  My Facebook groups—one in particular—have been so helpful during the writing of this book. I love I have a place to vent and talk with others encountering the same issues I do.

  To my family—thank you for being awesome and supportive. I love I’m able to do this, and I couldn’t do it without any of you.

  And last, but never lea
st, thank you to you, the reader. Thank you for taking a chance on me. Thank you for reading my words, and I hope this book brought you joy.

  About the Author

  Tracy’s love of writing began at nine years old. She wrote stories about aliens at school, machines that did homework for you, and penguins. Now she pens romantic books and short stories. She loves to read a great book, whether it be romance or science fiction, or any genre in between, or pop popcorn and catch up on her favorite TV shows or movies. She’s been known to crush a candy or two as well. Her loves include fitness, coffee, and naps (not in that order), and her dislikes are blue cheese, cold weather, and burpees.

  Thank you so much for reading SOMETHING JUST LIKE THIS. If you liked this book, consider her other works. You can find purchase information at www.tracykrimmer.com.

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  Thank you so much!