Page 56 of The Christmas Trap

“My friends have confirmed they're coming. My parents are flying out from California to attend the wedding. How could you do this to me?”

I cringe when I hear my words. I sound so desperate.

"Listen, Larkie. I'm sor?—"

"Don't call me that," I snap.

He looks like he's about to respond, but I give him a quelling look, and he subsides.

This whole time—while he was away, and while I ignored my misgivings that he wasn’t an active participant in our wedding plans—I was holding onto the fact that he loved me. That once we were married, everything would turn out okay.

That I’d have my perfect life: the perfect job, the perfect husband, and the Happily Ever After I've always wanted.

Now, everything has gone wrong.

The blood drains from my face. "Oh God. What am I going to tell them?"

I feel like a living cliché. Instead of the life I planned for myself, I’ll forever be known as the woman who was ditched before the wedding. My head spins. My chest hurts. My knees tremble. I wish I could sink through the floor.

That’s when my boss closes the distance to me and wraps his arm around my waist.

17

Brody

What am I doing?

I sense the shock ripple through her. Then she stiffens and casts me a confused glance. It’s a testament to how upset she is that she doesn’t try to pull away.

As for me? I overheard what her fiancé told her; knew it would be mortifying for her that I’d heard it; but I saw the anger and embarrassment on her face and could not stop myself from stepping in.

I knew I had to help her salvage her pride. And if I could do so by embarrassing this sorry excuse for a human standing opposite us, then even better.

I glare at him.

He grows so pale, I wonder if he’s going to puke. What a pussy. Seriously, she could do better. Much, much better.

In fact, I can’t think of anyone who’d make a good husband for her. She’s incomparable. There’s no one who’d be good enoughfor her.

Except me.

I shove the thought aside.

"Wh... Who are you?" The other man swallows.

"I’m her boss."

As if the sound of my voice pulls her out of her reverie, Lark tries to pull away.

I tighten my arm around her and hold her in place. "I’m also the man who’s crazily in love with her."

What the—? Where did that come from?I did want to say or do something that’d wipe that smug expression off his face. But love?

"Love?" The other man’s jaw drops.

"Love?" She jerks her chin in my direction.

"Yes, baby. I’m sorry if this comes as a surprise. But from the moment I saw you, I knew there was no one else out there for me."