Page 98 of Merry Fake Bride

Each scenario is better than the rest and they taunt my dreams with the what-ifs while I toss and turn.

This kiss was different.

This one didn’t end with a warning that we shouldn’t proceed, or painful words that she’s not interested.

This one ended with a happy, flushed smile and a breathless Devon who made my stomach somersault.

I was grinning like a teen for the rest of the night.

While we spend the day texting one another, I don’t dare broach the topic of the kiss and neither does she.

It feels too impersonal to do it over text message so when she mentions the Christmas market in a throwaway text about how busy her day is, I immediately call Martin.

“You'd better have a good excuse for interrupting me.”

Frowning, I drum my fingers on my desk and gaze out my windows into a swirling white world of snow and low-hanging clouds.

“You’re literally downstairs. What am I interrupting?”

“I am spending some quality time with a goat’s cheese and prosciutto sandwich.”

Eyeing the clock, I scoff softly. “At three in the afternoon?”

“The help eat at different times, what can I say? What do you want?”

“We’re going out tonight.”

“Where?”

“I want to see Devon.”

Martin’s breath audibly catches. “Are you sure?”

“Do you think I should stay away?”

“I think canceling on your mom for a third time might have some unforeseen consequences.”

Leaning forward in my chair, I grab my mouse and search my calendar. “Shit. Dinner.”

“Mmhmm.”

“It’s fine. I can reschedule.”

“She’s going to cut your balls off.”

“Honestly?” There’s no contest between spending the night with my erratic mother and spending it with Devon. “Let her try.”

“I only speak from a place of concern, Kairo. You know that, right?”

“Even though you work for her?”

Martin scoffs. “I stopped working for her the first time I saw her hit you. So, what time do you want to see Devon?”

The Christmas market is held on the outskirts of town near the highway, featuring gigantic hand-painted signs that direct drivers to explore the variety of food and stalls on display.

It’s different from the fair and bake sale as there’s less confectionery and more food and drink to whet the appetite.

One stall is dedicated to beer, another is about sausages from all around the world, while a third showcases three different steaks of which none are beef.