The Christmas Bliss Romance Collection

by Jennifer Youngblood

  She was alone.

  Haven sat on the bed, a curious feeling of numbness settling over her. A part of her wished she could cry, but no tears would come. She thought of the presents tucked in her suitcase and how she’d painstakingly selected them for her mom and Brynn. Haven was tempted to send her mother a scathing text, telling her how disappointed she was. Then again, it wouldn’t do any good. Demi was even more clueless than Brynn when it came to other people’s feelings. No wonder Haven’s dad couldn’t make their marriage work. Her dad hadn’t talked about Demi much. From what Haven gathered, Demi and Benjamin had a whirlwind romance for a couple of months before getting married. Their marriage was rocky from the start. Benjamin was a solid, stand-up, salt-of-the-earth guy and Demi was a free-spirited socialite who’d come from money. They made it work the first several years and then had a falling out when Haven and Brynn were five years old, at which point the family split. Haven dearly loved her dad, but a part of her had always wondered what it would be like to grow up in New York with Demi. She scowled. As an adult, she was coming to realize how selfish Brynn and Demi were. Haven still couldn’t believe the only immediate family she had in the world shafted her.

  She pushed the hurt aside, willing herself to look at this analytically. The cab driver had encouraged her to visit the tree at The Rockefeller Center. There were so many neat things to see in New York. She could look up places online. Crud! She’d not thought to get the wi-fi passcode from Brynn. Maybe it was written down somewhere. If not, she could text Brynn or Demi and ask them to give it to her. If that didn’t work, she could use her phone as a hotspot. She laughed inwardly, thinking how insane it was to be thinking of internet access at a time like this. Then again, she was a creature of habit. Her life revolved around normal things like teaching school, making dinner, getting together with the occasional friend, watching Netflix, falling asleep, and getting up to do the same things the next day. When school was in session, Haven dealt with a classroom full of precocious first graders and had little time to think how monotonous her life was. Now, with two long weeks looming over her, that fact hit her full force. She had to find a way to stay busy or else she’d go nuts.

  After several more minutes dragged by, Haven stood. She couldn’t sit here, wallowing in self-pity. Maybe she’d stay a few days in New York, then see if she could change her ticket to return home sooner. She might even call Curtis and see if they could have dinner. She’d put her relationship with Curtis on hiatus because she could tell he wanted to get serious, and she wasn’t ready for that right now. Maybe she wouldn’t call Curtis. The last thing she wanted was to give him the wrong idea. Okay, she’d have to think of something else. For now, she’d focus on sightseeing … after she got a feel of the apartment.

  A short while later, she found herself in Brynn’s room. It was painted white like the rest of the apartment, but her comforter and pillows were happy colors of bright red and orange. Colorful, abstract pictures hung on the walls. Haven was surprised at how similar Brynn’s taste was to hers. She wondered how different things might’ve been had they grown up together. She went to the dresser and picked up a bottle of cologne. She sprayed it into the air and stuck her nose in the mist. Yuck! It was incredibly musky and fussy. Okay, they didn’t share the same taste in colognes. She went to the closet, which was jam packed with some of the most exquisite clothes Haven had ever seen. She ran her hand along a red shirt, the silky fabric feeling cool and soft under her fingertips. She removed the shirt from the hanger and held it up to her. Next, she selected a swanky, royal blue dress and went to the mirror, studying her reflection.

  “I could be Brynn Lockwood the notable designer,” she mused, removing the ponytail holder as her hair fell around her shoulders. She looked inside the dress. No tag. It was probably one of Brynn’s creations. She went to the closet and pulled out more clothes, draping them over the bed. Feeling like a kid playing dress-up, she began trying on Brynn’s clothes.

  “Hello, darlings,” she sniffed, her hair tossing on her shoulders. “I’m going to Ireland with Malcolm Chase,” she said in Brynn’s sophisticated tone. “We’re going off grid to fool the paparazzi.” Brynn had a trove of makeup on her dresser. Haven took the blush and dusted it over her cheeks. She applied her makeup heavier than normal and fluffed her hair. Once she added a pair of dangly earrings, the transformation was complete. She put on a pair of Brynn’s heels and nearly twisted her ankle as she attempted to walk across the carpet. Yeah, that wasn’t going to work. She could wear Brynn’s clothes, while in New York, but not her shoes.

  Haven was rummaging through the refrigerator when the doorbell rang. She froze, trying to decide if she should answer it. It rang again. This time, more insistently, followed by a rapping of hard knocks.

  She went to the door and looked through the peephole. Her heart pitched. It was a man. She had no idea who this person was, or if it was safe to let him in.

  “Brynn, it’s me, Wyatt. Open up,” he said as if he could sense Haven was on the other side of the door, staring at him.

  Wyatt. The boyfriend! Great, just what she didn’t want to happen—to have to tell this poor sap that her selfish, twin sister dumped him for a movie star. She reached for the doorknob, steeling herself for the task as she opened the door, pasting on a polite smile. “Hello,” she said, ready to just come out with it. Better to pull the Band-Aid off quick. Her sister was a jerk, but that wasn’t Haven’s problem. Any guy who got tangled up with her sister had to know what was coming to him.

  Her world stopped as she found herself staring into the bluest set of eyes she’d ever seen.

  2

  Haven’s first thought was that her sister was a moron for dumping this guy. Breathe, she commanded herself, but her lungs didn’t seem to get the message. She felt like they were deflated balloons refusing to take in the air she gulped.

  Wyatt’s gaze moved over her with appreciation as a slow smile stole over his lips. “Wow,” he uttered. “You look incredible.”

  Butterflies flapped furiously in Haven’s stomach as he encircled her waist and pulled her into his strong arms.

  Haven inhaled the crisp scent of his leather jacket the second before his lips touched hers, sending a bolt of lightning zigzagging through her. Had the kiss been more than a peck, she could’ve lost herself in the wonder of his lips and his intoxicating scent that was one hundred percent male. An unexpected longing punched through her, making her want more. She’d never know how close she came to throwing all reason out the window and kissing him back because he released his hold and closed the door. For an instant, she was so mesmerized that she just stood there, bug-eyed.

  Amusement sparkled in his eyes. “You okay?”

  Wait a minute. She was in New York, not Tennessee. But Wyatt had a distinctive Southern drawl. It sounded a little exaggerated, sexy. He had a confident, cavalier way about him that reminded her of the actor Matthew McConaughey. She could tell, even with his jacket, that he was muscular and well-built. He was taller than Matthew McConaughey, about 6’3.” His piercing, sapphire eyes seemed to have the power to see into a person’s soul. His brown hair was wavy and longer on top, the ends tipped with blonde. Kind of like a windswept surfer who’d live in California rather than New York. More of a Matthew McConaughey meets Bradley Cooper. She went back to the height thing, giving herself an inward, dark chuckle. How many people even knew that Matthew McConaughey was 6 feet tall? Only lonely, boring women whose bosom bud was Netflix.

  Wyatt motioned at the bag she’d left lying on the floor when she’d first entered the apartment. “I see you’re ready to go.” He grinned. “Wonders never cease,” he teased. “I figured I’d have to pack you myself and help get you out the door.”

  Haven’s first instinct was to respond that she was rarely, if ever, late. Then, she realized he was talking about Brynn. Geez. It was crazy how quickly that little detail flew out of her birdbrain. A handsome man crossed the threshold and gave her a peck on the lips, and su
ddenly she became a mindless groupie. Pathetic, she knew.

  “How close are you to being ready? I want to get on the road and out of the city before rush hour traffic.”

  Brynn said Wyatt wanted to take her home for Christmas to meet his family. It was a two-day drive to Atlanta. What did it matter? She wasn’t Brynn. In a few, short seconds the charade would be over. Wyatt would realize he’d been dumped, and Haven would go back to spending Christmas alone.

  “Is everything okay?”

  The concern on Wyatt’s features was touching. He seemed like a nice guy, which made this even harder. Blast, Brynn! Haven wet her lips and touched her earring. “Um, there’s something I need to tell you.” She pointed to the couch. “Maybe we should sit down.”

  His lips formed a tight, resigned line. “You’re not coming with me to Atlanta.”

  “No.” There, she’d said it. She hated the guilt that cut ribbons through her. Everything in her wanted to recant the no, just so she could smooth the tension from his handsome face. She’d just met Wyatt and yet, felt such a strong connection with him. Why couldn’t she feel this way about Curtis? How could Brynn be so blasé about giving Wyatt the brush-off and riding into the sunset with another man? No, not just another man, Malcolm Chase. The Malcolm Chase, as Brynn said. An incredulous laugh rose in Haven’s throat. Luckily, she swallowed it back down before it could escape. The last thing she wanted was Wyatt thinking she was laughing at him. She wanted to laugh about this insane situation, while thinking of her dismal prospects for dating in Red Rose. A guy like Wyatt would be a king there, racking up enough dates for a year the minute he stepped inside the town limits.

  Haven sat down. Wyatt sat right next to her, their knees touching. He took her hands in his, sending her pulse flying as attraction buzzed through her. She knew she should be thinking of a way to let him down gently, but all she could think about was his lips and how they’d felt against hers. The curls against his neck were so tempting. She wanted to run her fingers through them and touch the rugged outline of his features. Was she really this desperate? Her dad would be appalled if he could see her now.

  Wyatt peered into her eyes as if he were searching for a long-held secret. “I was afraid this might happen.”

  “You were?” she squeaked. He was so close.

  He sighed heavily. “I know things have been tense between us lately and that you don’t feel comfortable with close-knit family get-togethers.”

  I love close-knit family get-togethers, her mind argued. “We haven’t been getting along?” The instant the question left her mouth she thought of how stupid it sounded. Of course they weren’t getting along. Brynn just ran off with another man.

  Wyatt gave her a funny look. “You’ve been traveling. My work schedule’s insane. The two of us have hardly been able to find a minute to spend together the past several weeks.”

  “And yet, you want to take me to Atlanta to meet your family?”

  A lopsided grin slid over his lips as he squeezed her hands. “I have a confession to make.”

  “You do?” Crap! This was getting more and more complicated. What was he about to confess? Haven shushed the panic that arose in her chest, reminding herself that she was under no obligation to tell Brynn anything about this conversation.

  “On the drive over here, I wondered if maybe the two of us should just throw in the towel and call it quits.”

  “You did?” That was a good thing, right? Why was Haven feeling the sting of disappointment?

  “Yeah, there’s been this brick wall between us lately.” His eyes held hers. “Today, sitting here with you, it feels different.”

  A surprised laugh escaped Haven’s throat. Kudos to Wyatt. Even though she and Brynn were identical in looks, they were planets away from each other in personality. At least Wyatt was perceptive enough to notice.

  “Here’s the deal. You come with me to Atlanta. I introduce you to my family and give them warm fuzzies about me having a steady girlfriend. Meanwhile, we have a fabulous time. No strings attached. If after Christmas, we feel like this relationship isn’t going anywhere, we part ways. No harm, no foul. What do you say, Brynn? Are you in?”

  The possibility sent tingles circling through her. Oh, how she wanted to jump up and exclaim yes. She bunched her brows, her thoughts catching on something he said. “Why do your parents care if you have a girlfriend?”

  He laughed easily. “You know how some parents are—wanting to make sure their kids are happily settled and moving into what my dad calls the Big Boy Pants.”

  “Big Boy Pants?” She chuckled. “Your dad seems like a character.”

  “Oh, you have no idea.”

  She felt like there was more to the story about the girlfriend thing, but it wasn’t her place to question Wyatt about his personal affairs. Haven was burning to ask what Wyatt did for a living. She assumed he lived in New York and that’s how he met Brynn. Was Wyatt in the fashion industry? He certainly didn’t seem like the type to get excited about women’s fashion. Whatever his job, it obviously wasn’t serious enough to appease his parents. They wanted him on the marriage track to transition into adulthood responsibility. Wyatt seemed very responsible. Well, from what she could tell, after just meeting him.

  His eyes moved over her like warm sunshine, doing strange things to her insides. Haven wanted to throw good sense to the wind and kiss him—for real this time. “What’s it gonna be?” Hope simmered in his eyes, shooting out and encircling her heart in a golden glow. She pictured herself sitting behind her desk in her classroom, spelling out an either/or question for her students. Let’s see … would you rather spend Christmas with this fascinating, incredibly gorgeous man who makes you feel more alive than you’ve felt in years, or stay here and sit in this bleak apartment alone, trying to convince yourself that you’re excited about going sightseeing in an over-crowded, unfriendly, frigidly cold city? Hmm ... which choice should she choose? She heard the Jeopardy game show theme chime in her head.

  Wyatt released her hands and touched her cheek. Her breath hitched as his finger trailed an energizing tickle down her skin. His blue eyes took on a new depth of intensity. At this moment, Wyatt could’ve asked her to go to the moon and she would’ve said yes.

  “Please,” he murmured, the rich timber of his baritone voice purring through her like a contented cat. He flashed a dazzling smile.

  “Okay,” she heard herself say.

  He rewarded her with a smile so large that it sent a bubble of pleasure bursting over her. “We’re gonna have a great Christmas, Brynn Lockwood. You and me.”

  She stiffened at the use of her sister’s name. He leaned in to kiss her, but she turned her head, causing his lips to miss their mark and brush against her cheek. “I’m sorry,” she uttered. As much as she wanted to kiss him, she wanted to kiss him as Haven, not Brynn.

  “No worries,” he said softly, masking his disappointment with a reassuring smile. “It’s better that we take things slow. Figure out if this is going anywhere.”

  “Yes,” she breathed, relief flooding through her. She could go to Atlanta with Wyatt, experience what it was like to be part of a family again—if only for a few days. Then, at the end, she could tell Wyatt things weren’t working out. They’d go their separate ways, and she’d have a wonderful memory to bottle up in her heart and carry her through the lonely times. You’re not Brynn, her mind screamed. This is a boldfaced lie! Nothing good can come of it! She shushed that goody-goody voice in her head, telling herself that it was only for a few days. What would it hurt to have a few moments of happiness?

  “How much time will it take for you to be ready to walk out the door?” Wyatt asked in a tone that suggested they couldn’t waste another second.

  “Give me ten minutes.” That was enough time to raid Brynn’s closet. Haven was in deep now. Borrowing a few of Brynn’s gorgeous clothes was the least of her worries at this point. There went that little voice in her head—chattering like a parrot hyped up on sugar. T
his is going to backfire! This day will go down in infamy as the day you goofed up big time! Sure, some secret part of you has always wanted to find out what it was like to be Brynn Lockwood, but not like this. “All right,” she said mostly to herself, putting a muzzle on the parrot. “Let’s do it.”

  3

  They’d made good time getting out of the city. Barring unexpected traffic delays, they should make it to Annapolis, Maryland in the early evening, where they would eat dinner and spend the night. Wyatt glanced at Brynn, thinking how this day was turning out much different than expected. He’d debated if he should even stop by Brynn’s apartment on his way out of the city or just send her a text saying it wasn’t going to work out. Heck, the only reason Wyatt stopped at all was because he didn’t want to show up for Christmas solo, once again, and have his dad give him another lecture on finding a good girl to settle down with. Also, his mother had been dropping hints about his former girlfriend Kat Schneider for the past few weeks. Wyatt had no doubt his mother would make sure Kat was there for the party and other family gatherings. Wyatt had no intention of ever getting back together with Kat Schneider in this world or the next. Yes, he’d loved her, but that changed in an instant when he realized she was two-timing him with one of his closest friends. The familiar, dark emotions stirred in his gut as he tightened his hold on the steering wheel. Having Brynn on his arm, would solve a lot of issues.

  Part of Wyatt half expected Brynn to not even be home when he arrived. Brynn was so spontaneous that he never knew for sure what she would do. When they first met, Wyatt was so smitten with Brynn’s beauty that he overlooked her less-than-desirable self-interest. The more they went out, however, he realized they had very little in common. Brynn was a starlet in the fashion world—a fickle butterfly constantly flitting to the next greatest thing. On their dates, she was with him in body, but he could tell her mind was elsewhere. Secretly, Wyatt was glad their schedules had been too packed lately for them to get together very often. It put their relationship on ice without completely cutting ties. The only reason Wyatt hadn’t cut ties was the need, rather convenience, of bringing home “a girlfriend” for Christmas.