Page 59 of Holly Jolly Christmas

I cupped his face in my hands.

“The algorithm might have told you we’re compatible. But it didn’t make me fall in love with you. I did that all on my own. And yeah, I’m terrified. Because we barely know each other, and this is moving so fast. But I’d rather be terrified with you than safe with anyone else.”

Luke made a sound that was half laugh, half sob, and then pulled me into his arms, holding me so tightly I could barely breathe. “I love you,” he said into my neck. “God, I love you so much. I was so scared you’d never come back.”

“I know.” I wrapped my arms around him just as tightly.

He pulled back just enough to cup my face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away tears I hadn’t realized were falling. “You’re everything to me, Holly.”

And then he kissed me—desperate and tender and perfect—and I kissed him back with everything I had.

When we finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Luke’s hands were framing my face, his thumbs tracing my cheekbones. His eyes moved between mine, searching.

“So we’re doing this?” he asked quietly.

His hands slid from my face to my shoulders, down my arms, until his fingers laced through mine. Like he needed to touch every part of me to believe I was real.

“If you want.” I smiled through my tears.

“I want.” He kissed me again, softer this time. “I wanteverythingwith you, Holly Bascombe.”