Santa Bring Me a Ryan

by Rene Penn

  Jules gave a standing ovation, clapping until her palms hurt. Kerri and her cast-mates clasped hands and bowed as the emcee introduced each cast member. Kerri basked with delight, and her parents and Jules beamed with pride. Kerri blew them kisses. Jules returned it and drew a heart with her hands.

  Kerri had done a great job. She’d entertained everyone, not flubbed her lines, and loved every moment of it. She’d practically glowed under the lights.

  As the cast left the stage, Jules became excited about the possibilities for her friend. Maybe Kerri would keep acting at the community playhouse. Perhaps she could graduate to a higher level, like a local theatre. MetroStage in Alexandria. Signature Theatre in Arlington. And why stop there? She could see Kerri Griffith in lights at the Warner Theatre in DC. Jules would wait for her backstage after the show with flowers—and a few male groupies. Yes, Jules could see it so clearly…

  As well as a strange man jumping on the bright stage, ripping the microphone from the emcee’s hand.

  “Jules Carmichael,” he yelled.

  Jules squinted, blinked, and rubbed her eyes.

  The man fumbled with the emcee to keep control of the mic. “Is Julia Carmichael here?”

  Jetlag played evil tricks. Mean, cruel, unfair tricks.

  It couldn’t be.

  Bryan?

  When he met her gaze, a couple of stagehands rushed the stage, gripping Bryan’s elbow and leading him off the platform. Audience members glanced around, murmuring, wondering who and where this Julia Carmichael person could be.

  “Do you know him?” Kerri’s mom asked.

  As Jules’ gaze locked with Bryan’s, anger billowed between her ears like a cartoon.

  Kerri cut the connection, appearing at Bryan’s side. And judging by his pained expression, she was letting him have it. Good. Perfect, actually. Kerri could chew his ear off while Jules excused herself.

  She moved down the seated row, up the stairs with the crowd, and out the front door. The whole time, she hoped Kerri had given Bryan a tongue-lashing, British-style, no matter if the euphemisms were accurate or not. Did she call him a silly wanker? A bloody, rotten scoundrel? He deserved it. All of it.

  Better that it came from Kerri and not Jules. Because if she came face-to-face with him and his Banana Republic ad aura, she might not…she couldn’t…she’d—

  “Jules!”

  Crap. How did he escape Kerri’s avenger web?

  Jules quickened her pace. Cold air blasted her cheeks. She ignored his repeated calls, even though they came closer. But she couldn't ignore his hand tugging her arm.

  “What?” she railed.

  He drew back as if she'd slapped him. It made her feel powerful. She had the upper hand. He knew he was wrong. But did he? What the hell was he doing here?

  “I want to talk to you,” he said.

  "Well, I don't." She turned on her heels and kept going.

  He walked alongside her. “That’s okay. You don’t have to say anything. I can talk. And I hope you’ll listen.”

  She didn't want to listen. She wanted to cover her ears like a five-year-old and yell "la-la-la” to tune him out.

  “I’m sorry about what happened at the airport,” he said.

  She walked faster, drafts of air hitting her face like cold whips. "Apology not accepted. If you came to clear your conscience for the new year, I get it. But I won't accept your apology, because… I can’t.” Not yet. Maybe in time. But not now. The pain was too fresh.

  “If you won’t accept my apology, maybe you’ll accept my mom’s.”

  What Kathy thought shouldn’t have mattered, but Bryan’s words brought Jules to a halt on the sidewalk.

  He said, “She knows about Helena and Dave, that they smoke pot.”

  “Oh.” She tried to remain emotionless. She wouldn’t succumb to the Banana Republic aura, damn it. “How’d she find out?”

  “Helena told her. I think my mom liked that you kept their secret.”

  “Well, tell your mom apology accepted.”

  “Hey,” he sang. “What about me?”

  “What about you?” she snapped back.

  “What happened at the airport, Jules? Be honest with me.”

  Did he want honesty? Fine. "You left me."

  “You left me,” he threw back.

  She pursed her lips. “You walked out with Kaitlyn. You chose Kaitlyn.” She coughed a pathetic laugh. “Who am I fooling? Choosing means there are options on the table. It means picking one thing over another. I know I wasn’t an option.”

  Bryan’s lips turned up at the corner. “Yes, you were.”

  “Maybe for a minute.” Her voice pinched. “Or less than a split-second. The moment ended faster than I can remember.”

  He smiled at her, which she ignored. She wasn’t going for smiles. She glanced at the uneven sidewalk. “It’s okay,” she said. “I’m used to that thing guys do.”

  “What thing?”

  Did she have to explain? She rolled her eyes, mostly to avert Bryan's gaze. "If a guy isn't into the woman he's dating, he drops her before the holidays. I think guys do that to keep their options open."

  “Hmm.”

  That purring sound had a hypnotic effect on her. And Bryan’s cologne swirled around her as he stepped closer. She tried to move back, but her feet had hardened into the concrete sidewalk.

  “Do you think I dropped you?” he asked.

  She nodded.

  “And you think I chose Kaitlyn over you?”

  "Yes," she muttered, keeping her gaze downward. "I can understand why with the history you two have." Her lip quivered. "And I was a terrible guest for you and your parents."

  He tipped her chin up and smoothed his thumb over her mouth. “Do you see Kaitlyn with me?”

  Her breath stilled. “No.”

  “If I wanted to spend the holiday with her, don’t you think I would have?”

  She nodded again. Why didn’t that register before? Confusion over what happened at the airport had clouded her from seeing the big picture.

  “I’m not in Missoula, Jules. And Kaitlyn’s not here.”

  “She didn’t come with you?” It was a dumb question, but she wanted to know. She didn’t want to make assumptions.

  His hand grazed her chin. “I told her not to come. What we had is over. I don’t want that anymore.”

  “How would I have known at the airport? My heart broke when you walked out with her.”

  But suddenly, slowly, the break seemed to mend.

  ◆◆◆

  Bryan’s stomach clenched when he heard that. It all made sense now, why Jules had left. She hadn’t changed her mind about him. She hadn’t pulled the bait-and-switch or left him high-and-dry when he’d least expected it. She’d left because she was heartbroken. And if she was heartbroken, then that meant he'd had her heart. All of it. Some time, when he didn't even realize it, she'd given it to him. And he'd been too afraid to know it, too scared of guarding his feelings.

  Bryan recalled what Jacob had said earlier: "Eight times out of ten, you’re both wrong about what the other might be thinking. The only way you’ll know is if you clear the air."

  Bryan had to put his fear aside and tell her.

  “I told Kaitlyn I’m falling in love with you.” Not very romantic, but he wasn’t good at beating around the bush. This didn’t seem like the right time for that.

  “But—”

  “That’s why I tracked you down at Kerri’s play. That’s why I didn’t want Kaitlyn to come with me. That’s why I wish I had done this with you at midnight…”

  He slipped his hands along the base of her neck and kissed her. A soft kiss, one that didn’t rage with all the emotions brewing in him.

  But the kiss wasn’t enough. Jules had gone still on him.

  Shock, maybe?

  He pulled back to see her face. Wide eyes. Dilated pupils. White cheeks. Yes, definitely shock.

  Well, he could fix that.

  He kissed her aga
in, deepening it, and her still frame jolted to life. Passion ignited, playing between them, warming the winter air. He loved this feeling. He loved her. What else could explain the jumble of emotions he'd felt for days? Love had wrestled with fear. Old worries had tangled with new hope.

  As he leaned into Jules and she melted against him, Bryan knew the tug of war was over. Love and hope won.

  A passer-by whooped at Bryan and Jules’ public display of affection, breaking their spell. Her expression looked better now. Heavy eyes. Flushed cheeks. A steady gaze. On him.

  Much better.

  “Today’s a holiday,” he said. “And I want to spend it with you. And the next one. And the next one. If you’ll let me.”

  She put her hands on his chest. He wished he were naked right now without a coat in between. Her hands on his bare skin. He moaned at the thought.

  “Even Valentine’s Day?”

  “Especially Valentine’s Day.” He smirked. “Roses. Chocolate. A cute stuffed animal. I want you to have it all. I want to treat you the way you should’ve been treated all these years. I don’t want you to guess how I feel about you.”

  Jules smiled up at him. "You told Kaitlyn you were falling in love with me?"

  “Yes.” He cupped her hands in his. “But I should’ve told you. I’m sorry that you were unsure about how I felt. I’ll never let that happen again.”

  Her eyes dazzled under the streetlights. “Apology accepted. Both of them. And I’m sorry, too. And I love you, too.” She gasped. “I mean, I’m falling for you, too. I mean—”

  “Come here.” He drew her into another kiss, lifting her off her feet. So soft. So warm.

  He could get used to this.

  “I just have one request,” he said.

  “Yes?” She laced her fingers between his.

  "You know that red and green bra you have?" He mumbled as he kissed her cheek. "I don't want to wait till next Christmas to see it."

  “It just so happens that I have it on now.” Her eyelashes fluttered, and Bryan’s temperature rose twenty degrees. “I was thinking of you.”

  He curled an arm around her shoulder and kissed her forehead. “Let’s go.”

  Epilogue

  Two Months Later

  A hostess at the local bar, Shooters and Stouts, led Bryan to a booth, where Jules sat with Kerri. The hostess admired him with a long look as he removed his coat, hung it on a hook, and slid into the seat next to Jules. Jules couldn’t blame the hostess for staring. She often caught herself doing the same thing. Would she ever get bored of looking at her boyfriend?

  Nah.

  The hostess placed a menu in Bryan's hand. "Enjoy your meal." She winked at Jules and Kerri. "Wish I could join you, ladies."

  Jules smirked at Kerri after the hostess left. “We didn’t get that treatment when we got here, did we?”

  “No,” Kerri replied. “I recall her slapping the menus on the table and mumbling something unintelligible before walking off.”

  Bryan chuckled at them and concentrated on the menu.

  Kerri smiled. “Seems like yesterday that Jules and I sat over there,” she pointed to a high-top table at the bar, “and she told me about getting sacked.” She slipped into her British accent. “And then we devised that delicious plan for the Best Holiday Party Ever.” A sly grin passed her lips.

  Bryan peeked over the menu at Kerri. His brows pointed. “What’s this? You helped plan the holiday party?”

  “The Best Holiday Party Ever. Hell, yeah.” She went to high-five Jules, who pursed her lips at her. “Oh, he didn’t know?”

  “No, he didn’t,” said Bryan. “I have to watch out for you two.”

  “Oops.” Kerri covered her mouth before Jules could do it for her. "It doesn't matter now." A good point. "You went from being the boss who sacked Jules to the boyfriend who’s shagging Jules.” She gazed playfully between them. Jules rolled her eyes.

  "I guess that's one way to put it." Bryan set the menu on the table. "I'm happy with the result though I hate how it started." He slipped his fingers between Jules' and planted a kiss on the top of her head.

  “I love you two together,” Kerri said. “It makes me all tingly with hope and romance.”

  Jules teased her friend. “Keep your tingles to yourself.”

  After a waiter came and took their orders and menus, Kerri leaned forward, her elbows perched on the table. “Speaking of hope and romance—”

  “Yes, I plan to propose to Jules,” said Bryan.

  The ladies went slack-jawed, stared at each other and back at Bryan. For Jules, a vacuum sucked away the noise, the people, the restaurant, everything. Except for Bryan.

  Jules’ heartbeat echoed in her throat. “What did you say?”

  He touched the nape of her neck—one of her favorite things. "I'm going to propose to you, Jules. I don't know when. I don't even have a ring." He raised a finger. "Actually, I think I know when." He brushed his thumb along her chin. "I'm thinking New Year's Eve. You. Me. Fireworks."

  Her feet practically skidded under the table. Fireworks of excitement blasted off in her stomach. He knew how she felt about the holidays. That would make the proposal that much more special.

  “It sounds perfect,” she whispered.

  “I can’t explain how many tingles are happening for me right now,” Kerri cut in.

  "Ugh. No need to explain." Bryan grinned at Kerri. "You wanted to know what my intentions were with Jules, right?"

  “No, silly.” She batted the air. “But I wasn’t about to stop you.”

  Jules snuggled next to Bryan as she asked Kerri, “Then what’s going on? You said speaking of hope and romance…”

  Kerri cleared her throat. “Well, I’ve been inspired by what’s happened to you, Jules. You told the universe what you wanted, and it brought you Bryan.” She glanced at Bryan approvingly. “I was thinking of asking the universe for love while I go on vacation in London.” She swept a hand through the air. "I'm calling it, A Harry Holiday. Because I want the universe to bring me someone like Prince Harry. Or Harry Styles. Or Harry Connick, Junior."

  "I love it." Jules' feet danced under the table again. "You're going to London?"

  “I’m going to London,” Kerri shrieked.

  When their drinks arrived, they toasted Kerri’s news, as well as the new marketing job that Jules had landed with an event planning company.

  They clinked glasses, smiling all around. But Kerri raised her glass again. “Cheers to you two. May you live happily ever after.”

  Oh, yes, Jules knew that she and Bryan would.

  One wonderful holiday at a time.

  THE END

  A Letter from Rene

  I created this holiday romance novel with thoughts of love, hope, and the joy of Christmas spirit. I also knew, without a doubt, that this book had to take place in Missoula, Montana. Missoula will always have a special place in my heart—just like my mother-in-law, and longtime Missoula resident, Joan.

  If you've never been to Missoula, it's a great place to visit. The winter's natural beauty and rustic charm are outstanding. And the summer and fall scenery are breathtaking. No matter when you visit, just don't forget the Hoagieville cheese fries. :)

  Thank you for reading this book. I hope you enjoyed it, and please feel free to leave a review.

  Wishing you a wonderful and whimsical holiday season,

  - Rene

  About the Author

  RENE PENN is also the author of Fake It Til She Makes It, a romantic comedy novella.

  When Rene isn't writing, she likes to go on walks with her husband, scours the internet for delicious recipes, and despite her allergies, dreams of owning a cute dog someday. She lives in the southern California.

  Visit her website at www.RenePenn.com and sign up for email updates here.

  Connect with Rene at:

  Twitter @Rene_Penn

  Facebook @AuthorRenePenn

  Instagram @RenePennPics

 
 

  Rene Penn, Santa Bring Me a Ryan