“Kiss me now.”
She shrugs her shoulders and flips her hair over her shoulder. “My breath smells like tequila and the Chinese food I decided to eat before I came. We can’t kiss right now. I want the first real kiss to be gentle. Calm and perfectly sweet. Romantic, peppermint-scented, soft, and no tongue of course because that would just be tacky. Plus, we’re in a bar. Gross, right? I hate bars. I think I want the first kiss to—”
It doesn’t matter what she wants. When my lips lock with hers, I feel her body melt against mine. She kisses back like she means it, and I lose myself in the moment. I kiss her deeper because I’ve been waiting years to find this girl, this kiss, this feeling. This moment, this connection, this experience… Jules Stone doesn’t simply feel like home—she is home. Our eyes open, and we remain still, not pulling away from one another. I never want to pull away from the light before me.
When our lips separate, I step back and take in all of her beauty. “I have to finish up work, but at midnight, I’m going to kiss you again, and again, and again. Then, after everyone clears out and it’s almost three in the morning, I’m going to turn on your favorite song, and we are going to dance until sunrise.” I say. She smiles, and it’s evident I’m the luckiest man in the world to be speaking to her.
“And then you’ll make me pancakes?” Her voice sings and those damn dimples almost knock me over in a wave of ecstasy as I kiss the palm of her hand.
And then I’ll make her pancakes.
She’s beautiful, my Sunshine, and I hope her glow always lights my way.
-One Year Later-
“Okay. Just remember, don’t be yourselves. Be anything but yourselves.” I stand on the porch of Kayden’s parents’ home, pointing a finger at all of my family members. It’s been a year since Kayden’s and my made-up relationship launched, and for some reason, he thought it would be a fun idea for our families to meet during the holiday.
I’m pretty sure he was wasted when he came up with the idea.
His grandmother’s engagement ring is still resting on my finger, and in a month, we will be standing in front of all of our loved ones, saying, ‘I do.’ But first I just want to make it through Christmas dinner.
“Grandma! Is that a flask?! Stop drinking!” I whine, grabbing the bottle from her hands. Jesus! “Everyone, act like an every day, All-American family. Okay?”
“Julie Anne, stop it! We are perfectly capable of being entertainingly witty, and down to earth in front of your boyfriend’s family!” Mom hisses, flipping her hair over her shoulder. Her four thousand dollar earrings say differently. Down to earth people don’t wear four thousand dollar earrings!
“Jules, your mother’s right. Don’t worry. We’re actors! This is what we do!” Dad insists, knocking on the front door. My nerves must be all over the place, because when he knocks, it feels like he’s punching me in my gut.
Lisa is standing next to Olivia, with no Danny in sight. She says he has to work, but doesn’t go into more detail about it, probably because I really don’t care where he is. “So this family…they really believe in the Christmas decorations thing, huh?” she asks, looking around at the decked out yard, with a singing Santa and a six-foot tall snowman planted in the middle of the lawn.
The front door opens and I can’t help but smile when I see Kayden on the other side. “Hey, babe.” He pulls me close and kisses the top of my head. “Hey everyone! So happy you’re here.”
Dad walks over and gently smacks Kayden in the arm. “Rumor has it you signed with Simon and Simons Talent Agency in L.A.! That’s brilliant!” Kayden’s smile shows his personal pride and nods as my Dad wraps him in a celebratory hug.
“Yeah, it’s been a good week. Jules’s television pilot premiere is in a few weeks, too. We went to the screening of the first three episodes last weekend. She’s amazing in it.” Kayden is bragging about me and I want to hit him for making me feel so uncomfortable.
“It’s a winter premiere. I’m a side character. The show’s not primetime television, and we aren’t even sure if it will be picked up for the full season. It’s not that amazing,” I say, trying to downplay my excitement over my first ever television role.
Kayden lowers his brows and those green eyes of his lock with my blues. “It’s nothing less than outstanding.” He still makes my cheeks redden, the way he believes in me, the way he supports me no matter what. It’s not long before Kayden’s dad is standing in the front foyer, ready to welcome my family into his home.
“Hi everyone. I’m Steve, welcome! We’re glad you’re here.”