Page 18 of A Perfect Christmas Romance (Kringle, Texas #8)

Liv blinked, mildly surprised. “I’m pretty sure I never told you to do that.”

“Well, whatever. I was cool, calm, and collected. Just like you said.”

Liv smiled. “Good for you.”

“And when he got there... Liv, it was incredible! We had a real conversation—like, a heart-to-heart. Sean said he was worried about the same stuff I was! Turns out, we’ve both been dealing with some pre-wedding anxiety. We were just too wrapped up in our heads to see it.”

Liv leaned back, letting the joy in Amy’s voice wash over her. “See? I told you it was worth talking to him.”

“I know! We were meant to be, Liv. I feel it now more than ever.” There was a giddy laugh on the other end. “And it’s all thanks to you.”

“Amy, I’m really happy for you. But honestly, you did this yourself. You knew what you needed to do.”

“I guess I did,” Amy said. “I mean, I was even late to work, but it didn’t matter—business is slow this time of year anyway. Now I’ve got more time to focus on Sean.”

Amy’s voice softened, taking on a tone Liv hadn’t heard in a long time—contentment. “I really hope things work out just as well for you and Nick.”

Liv froze. “That’s... not likely. Nick’s never been into commitment. He wasn’t then, and I doubt he is now.”

Amy was quiet for a beat. “I like him, Liv. And so do you. You can admit it to yourself.”

Liv’s grip tightened on the phone. “Liking him doesn’t change anything. What we had was complicated—and honestly, I don’t even know if I should see him again.”

“Why not? What are you afraid of?”

“I don’t want to get hurt.”

“Liv, you could take things slow and see where it goes. Play it by ear—no pressure. It might turn out better than you think.”

“Or worse,” Liv said flatly.

Amy sighed. “Liv... I can’t imagine anything worse than never seeing Sean again.”

The words hit harder than she expected. The thought of never seeing Nick again sent an ache spiraling through her chest. She tried to shove it down, but it sat there, stubborn and heavy.

Amy sensed the shift. “See? You feel the same way.”

Liv swallowed. “When you’re right, you’re dead right.”

Amy’s laugh was soft and triumphant. “Happy to impart big sister wisdom. Call me sometime soon, okay? And don’t let this slip through your fingers.”

Liv ended the call, her thoughts swirling in the aftermath. Amy hadn’t needed Liv’s advice—she’d needed to listen to her heart. Maybe it was time Liv did the same.

The thought gnawed at her until she grabbed an overnight bag, threw in a few essentials, and set her GPS for Dallas. She hit the road before she could talk herself out of it, her pulse pumping faster with every mile.

By the time she reached the CBS affiliate, the winter sky dimmed to an inky gray, and the station’s parking lot was half-empty.

She hesitated only briefly before pushing through the revolving doors into the brightly lit lobby.

A Christmas tree stood awkwardly in the corner, its crooked star at the top mirroring Liv’s messy emotions.

A uniformed security guard looked up from his logbook. His eyes were kind but professional, and she offered a nervous smile.

“Hi,” she said, trying to steady her voice. “I’m looking for Nick Matheson.”

The guard gave her a polite but curious glance before checking his clipboard. “Matheson? He left.”

“For the day?” She blinked. What now? She didn’t know Nick’s address. She could text him, she supposed, but she’d hoped to surprise him with her spontaneity.

“No, he quit just a few minutes ago. Told me to have a Merry Christmas as he walked out the door.”

“What?” Stunned, Liv stared at the guard, owl-eyed.

“He quit.”

Liv felt the ground shift beneath her. “Quit?”

“Turned in his badge and said he had something better.” The guard bobbed his head.

Her heart sank. Nick had left again. Just like before. Without warning, without explanation. She bit the inside of her cheek and struggled to keep her composure.

“Did he... say where he was going?”

The guard gave her a pitying look. “Nope.”

“Um...thanks anyway.”

She turned and made her way back through the revolving doors, the cold night air slapping her cheeks like an unwanted wake-up call.

Her chest tightened with disappointment, and she blinked hard to keep the tears at bay. She should’ve known. She should’ve known he’d walk away again, just like he had before.

You sent him away. You’re the one who told him you didn’t want a relationship.

She crossed the parking lot toward her car, her heart in her boots. She was too late. She’d blown it. Walking fast, she clutched her key fob and willed herself not to cry.

A lone figure crossed the lot parallel to her but several parking spaces away. She shot a wary glance in the stranger’s direction, then stopped dead.

Not a stranger.

Nick.

Her pulse jumped.

He stopped, too and stared at her across the distance, blinked, and shook his head as if seeing a ghost. “Liv?”

“Yes.”

“What are you doing here?

He stood there, coat open, hair slightly tousled by the wind, his tie undone as if he’d spent the last hour unraveling more than just his clothes.

“I thought you left town,” she said.

Nick’s smile warmed her soul. “Not this time.”

She went toward him at the exact moment he started toward her. “I came to Dallas to find you.”

He held his arms wide. “And here I am.”

Her heart twisted painfully, and for a moment, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “You’re really not leaving?”

“No. I quit because I no longer want to chase things that don’t matter.” Quickly, he told her about his interview with Matilda. “I want something real. I want you .”

The lump in her throat swelled, and she tried to blink back the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. “You’re not going anywhere this time?”

“No,” he whispered, taking a small step closer. “I was about to drive to Kringle.”

Liv’s heart cracked open, the last of her defenses falling away. “To me?”

“To you,” he confirmed and reached for her.

Liv stepped into his embrace, and their lips met in a kiss—slow, deep, and full of promises neither of them needed to say aloud.

When they pulled apart, Nick rested his forehead against hers, both of them catching their breath.

“You’re not getting rid of me this time,” he murmured.

“Good. Because I’m not going anywhere either, I just got a promotion, and it was all because of you.”

“Do tell.” Nick kissed her again, this time softer, and she savored every second. The cold air swirled around them, but they didn’t care. They stood in the quiet parking lot, wrapped in each other’s warmth, as lazy snowflakes drifted under the streetlights.

Nick shrugged off his coat and draped it over her shoulders, pulling her close. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

Liv tucked herself against his side, her heart brimming with joy. “Where to?”

“Anywhere,” Nick said, grinning. “As long as it’s with you.”