Page 139 of Rule 2: Never Join a Christmas Dating Show

I have Luke. And he’s going to wait for me.

And even if he changes his mind... We still will have had whatever it is we had. The only thing I feel is calm.

I just... God, I wished we could have had more time together.

Luke told Ella he’s going to give the floral crown to Flora, and Aisha has already written copy about the athlete and cheerleader-turned-dentist getting together to start their first Christmas together.

It’s sweet.

I’m pretty sure Flora knows about us. I’m pretty sure Willow does too. I guess Luke and Flora will give loads of fake interviews together, until sufficient time has passed that they feel they can breakup.

The women file into the drawing room. They’re in cozy Christmas pajamas with reindeer and Santas on them. Only Flora and Willow will be in evening gowns. I interview them together asking them if they think Luke will choose Willow or Flora. It’s an interview I’ve done multiple times before, for every last episode.

It’s...

Well, it’s strange.

But fine. Totally fine.

I’ve already done my interviews with Willow and Flora, where they obediently said they were nervous about today and that Luke is totally amazing.

Ella and Clark and Aisha and Matteo don’t meet my eyes. They don’t expect to see me after tonight.

Perhaps I should be sadder than I am, but instead, all I feel is relief. Luke knows me and is okay with me. If other people know me and aren’t okay with me, well, that’s on them.

Finally, Ella gives me the signal to announce Luke has arrived.

“Good evening, everyone,” I say in collected host mode. “Welcome to this Christmas Eve finale ofSeeking Mr. Right: Christmas Edition. Over the past five weeks, you’ve seen Luke search for his true love. He has now narrowed down his options to two gorgeous, intelligent, and kind women: Flora and Willow. Let’s give them a round of applause.”

Flora and Willow sashay into the living room wearing formal gowns, Flora in red, Willow in green.

I take Flora and Willow back over their respective love stories with Luke. I show them clips Aisha cut that detail Luke falling in love with both of them.

Because I know it will get worse. I know that when I next see Luke, he will be handing his final floral crown to one of them. I know Luke will be ushered in front of the Christmas tree for photographs, and I will see him being Flora’s dutiful boyfriend.

I’m pretty sure he explained everything to Flora. Aisha told me he’d managed to speak to Flora and Willow and private, and though I don’t know what was said... I can hope.

Finally, the lights dim, trumpets sound, and Luke enters the drawing room.

The man is handsome.

My stomach drops, and for a moment I wonder if everything that happened between us is simply a concoction of my imagination.

But his eyes meet mine, and warmth swirls through me, hotter than anything the flames from the fireplace could produce.

I love him. I love him. I love him.

“Have you decided who you will give your final floral crown to?” I ask.

Part of me hopes he will say that he quits. That he doesn’t want any part of this, contract or no contract.

He opens his mouth. “I have.”

I swallow hard. Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less from him. Luke will do the honorable thing because he is honorable. Even though he didn’t want to joinSeeking Mr. Right, he will do his duty. He has a contract. He needs to pick someone.

I hand him his floral crown, gazing at the red poinsettias packed tightly together. His index finger grazes one of my fingers, and his eyes flare, as he takes it.

I give him a wobbly smile and wait for him to announce that he has fallen in love with Flora.