15. Britt

15

brITT

Sunday, December 24

T his is the first year since my divorce that I haven't had Jackson on Christmas Eve. In the past, we'd always spend the holiday with Reese, Adrian, and Chelsea. But not this year.

I'd been dreading it.

So back in the fall, when Jackson's dad requested we switch holidays, I agreed. After all, our December 24 would be very different than what Jackson is used to.

And it is different. Wonderfully different.

Adrian's also alone this year, since Chelsea is spending the holiday with her mother. He sits next to me on my couch, an open bottle of wine on the coffee table in front of us, a fire burning in the electric fireplace next to my towering tree, our hands linked. There are no screens, no distractions. Only each other.

Oh, and soft cats curled on either side of us.

It's been a week since he decked out the Idea Garage with way too many lights. A week since he confessed his love. I've accepted that I can let myself love him, be with him, and that it's okay that this didn't start out the right way.

"I can't believe you talked to Reese and Chelsea about us," I murmur, squeezing his hand. "And that it went so badly."

"She really went off on me, which is so not like Reese."

"And Chelsea walking in during the fight?" I groan. "Such bad timing."

"The worst timing."

"Do you regret telling them?"

Adrian shakes his head firmly. "No. I didn't want them speculating or finding out another way. Chelsea told Reese that she'd seen us together at the dance, so Reese already suspected something was going on. For real, this time."

I press my lips together. The happiness I feel with Adrian right now is tempered by the confirmation that Reese knows everything and is furious all over again. I sigh deeply and lean my head on his shoulder, relishing the way our bodies fit together. Perfectly. As if we were made for each other.

"Still, it was brave of you to be honest."

"Well. They hate me. But I'm going to work on it, and not hide anything anymore. I want to be honest with you, with Reese, and with Chelsea. I'm going to work every day to prove to Chelsea how much she means to me. If it means I have to plan every school dance or befriend scary PTO moms, I'll do it."

"You're a good dad, like I keep telling you. She'll come around." I pause for a beat. "And I want to be friends with Reese. Is that crazy?"

It's Adrian's turn to groan. He kisses my hand, gazing at me with eyes full of love. I know that now.

"After all this? You're trying to save your friendship? The ex-wife of the man you're in love with?"

Butterflies flutter in my stomach. This is man I'm in love with. And for him to love me back? It's everything.

"Well, when you say it like that, it sounds ridiculous."

"It is ridiculous." He slowly moves his head back and forth. "You're amazing. You still care so much about what she thinks. It's going to be really hard, Britt."

"Think I have a chance?"

"No, not really, but if you want to try, I'm behind you. I wasn't a good husband, but I can be a better co-parent. Reese will pull it together. For Chelsea. I know she will." Adrian runs his free hand up and down my thigh. "But I think if we are kind and open over time, we'll eventually win her over."

I bite my bottom lip. "We'll wear her down with kindness?"

He nods and grabs our wine glasses, handing me mine before leaning back against the couch, relaxing into me again. I snuggle in as close as possible without climbing into his lap.

"So you'll try to be friends with your ex-wife?" I sip from my wine glass, enjoying the warmth filling my belly and the happiness in my chest, trying to let go of the uncomfortable feelings I have about Reese.

Adrian grunts. "I'm not sure about friends. But I'll try. You've inspired me to be a better person, Britt. I believe I can do that with you. So yeah, I'm up for it."

"That makes me happy."

He sips his wine and turns his head to me. "That's all I want. But Britt?"

"Yes?"

"Can we stop talking about all of that?"

I nod and drink from my glass before leaning forward to deposit it on the table. It's been at least ten minutes since this man kissed me.

I move forward and pause right before pressing my lips against his.

"I know something that will distract me." I run my hands from his pecs to right below the top of his jeans, pausing there as I close the gap between our mouths.

After a long, sweet kiss, Adrian puts his drink aside and uses both hands to pull me onto his lap. Welp, there we go.

"This is my favorite Christmas Eve ever," he murmurs, burying his face in my neck.

I breathe out and wiggle against him, loving the moan that escapes his throat.

"Me too."

I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.

The End

Enjoyed One Hundred Lights ? Leave a review , it helps spread the word. And good news— One Hundred Lights is a prequel novella! Read about Reese and her sisters in the completed Hart Sisters Trilogy. Just be prepared to hate Britt & Adrian a little (okay, a lot) in Reese's story. Don't get too mad at me!

If We Pretend is Reese & Oliver's love story. It's a fake dating, divorced mom, ex pro soccer player light sports romance set in Scotland.

Unless It's You is Stella & Ethan's love story. Set in London, this romance is a second chance, enemies-to-lovers, bucket list novel.

Since We're Here is Maddie & Patrick's love story. It's a grumpy sunshine Irish romance.

Stay in touch:

Instagram: @ChrissyHopewell

Facebook: ChrissyHopewellAuthor

TikTok: @ChrissyHopewellBooks

Email: [email protected]

Free content, including bonus chapters for each novel:

www.ChrissyHopewell.com