Jingle Bell Rockstar: 12 Days of Christmas by Lena Cove

Author:Lena Cove [Cove, Lena]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-12-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Maggie

Rehearsal feels like walking into a different world today, one where Jonah and I have this invisible thread connecting us. Everything’s the same—our duet, the choreography, the subtle competition among the cast—but everything is different.

I’m acutely aware of him: the way his deep voice fills the room, the way he adjusts the mic stand with casual confidence, and especially the way his eyes find mine every chance they get.

I feel shy around him, which is so unlike me. I fumble with my water bottle, avoid meeting his gaze for too long, and focus way too hard on my own feet. It’s not that I regret last night, not even close, but being here, in this room, surrounded by other people, feels surreal. Like I’m wearing a sign that says I let Jonah Saxon into my bed.

Jonah, of course, seems completely at ease. He gives me space like he knows I need a little time to process. But he still finds ways to touch me—his hand brushing mine as he passes me a pen, a steadying hand on my back when we move into position for our duet. Little things, subtle enough that no one else would notice, but enough to send sparks up my spine.

When rehearsal finally ends, we linger near the doorway while everyone else files out. I’m packing my bag, pretending to search for something I don’t need, when Jonah leans against the wall, his arms crossed, watching me with a small, knowing smile.

“So,” he says, his voice low and warm, “how about dinner tonight?”

My heart skips a beat. “Dinner?”

“Yeah,” he says, pushing off the wall and stepping closer. “I know this little Italian place a few blocks from here. Good wine, great lasagna.” His grin is boyish and a little cocky. It makes my stomach flip.

I smile back, the word “yes” already on the tip of my tongue until I remember. “Oh no,” I groan, slumping my shoulders. “I can’t. My sister, brother-in-law, and their family are coming to town tonight. We’re having dinner at my place. I completely forgot.”

Jonah’s expression flickers, just for a second. Disappointment quickly masked with a shrug. “No problem. Family comes first. We’ll catch up tomorrow.”

But it is a problem. Not seeing him tonight feels like missing out on something I didn’t know I needed. And the way his shoulders drop, the way he avoids my gaze —it makes me feel awful. Before I can overthink it, the words tumble out.

“Do you want to come?”

Jonah blinks caught off guard. “Come where?”

“To dinner. With my family,” I blurt out, my cheeks heating. “It’s probably way too soon, and you’ll never want to see me again after spending an evening with my sisters, but… I don’t know. I want to see you tonight.”

He stares at me for a moment, like he’s trying to figure out if I’m serious. Then, to my surprise, he smiles, soft and genuine, a smile that makes my heart do somersaults.

“I’d love to,” he says simply.

“You would?”

“Yeah,” he says, stepping closer until I can feel the warmth of him.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.