Staging Love: A Sapphic Christmas Romance by Lynette McCornan

Author:Lynette McCornan [McCornan, Lynette]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Actress, Against All Odds, Businesswoman, Celebrity, CEO/Executive, Christmas, Contemporary, Fake Relationship, Family, Family Relationships, Femme/Femme, First Time Lesbian, HEAT LEVEL: Hot & Steamy, Holiday, Lesbian, Lesbian Romance, Questioning, Rich Girl/Poor Girl, Sapphic Romance, Toaster Oven, United States: Mountain States, Vacation/Travel
Amazon: B0DKBCFVK7
Goodreads: 220569874
Published: 2024-10-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Christmas music played in the great room, as the family drank the mulled wine Aunt Lara had insisted on serving.

Camilla sat next to Jade in their usual spot nestled closely against her. Under normal circumstances, this cozy scene would have filled her with contentment. But tonight, anxiety gnawed at her insides, and her eyes kept darting to the ornate grandfather clock in the corner, willing the hands to move faster.

She desperately wanted this evening to be over, to escape upstairs where she could finally have a private moment with Jade. The weight of her secret pressed down on her, making each breath feel labored. She knew she needed to come clean about everything - the will, the real reason behind their arrangement, and most importantly, how her feelings had transformed into something genuine and profound.

Jade's hand was warm in hers, their fingers intertwined. "You okay?" she whispered.

Camilla managed a small smile. "Just tired," she lied. "It's been a long day."

“Then maybe we should – " Jade stopped herself when Theresa approached with a calculated smile and a gleam in her eye that instantly set Camilla on edge. Her cousin perched herself on the arm of the sofa, wine glass in hand, looking for all the world like a cat who'd cornered a particularly juicy mouse.

"Well, isn't this cozy," she purred, her gaze flicking between Camilla and Jade. "You two certainly make a picture-perfect couple. A little unconventional perhaps… After all, you are the first gay couple in our family, but beautiful nevertheless."

Camilla tensed, every instinct screaming danger. "Thank you, Theresa," she replied. "That's kind of you to say."

Theresa's smile widened, showing too many teeth. "You know, I was just thinking about how wonderfully convenient it all is."

"Convenient?" Jade asked, her brow furrowing slightly.

"Oh yes," Theresa continued, leaning in conspiratorially. "I mean, getting engaged just before Uncle Weston passed away. And with that interesting clause in his will about Camilla needing to be married to take over the company... Well, it's almost like she knew he’d written it in his will… Did he discuss his will with you, Camilla?"

Camilla felt the blood drain from her face. Beside her, Jade stiffened, her hand going slack in Camilla's grip. The room seemed to tilt on its axis as Camilla struggled to process what was happening.

"I'm not sure I understand," Jade said slowly, her voice carefully controlled.

Theresa's eyes widened in mock surprise. "Oh my, did Camilla not tell you? Uncle Weston left a stipulation in his will that Camilla had to be married within six months of his passing to inherit control of Cupid's Gifts. Otherwise, it would go to me." She paused, letting the information sink in. "Isn't that right, Camilla?"

All eyes in the room were now on them. Camilla felt as if she were drowning, desperately searching for words that wouldn't come. She looked at Jade, seeing confusion and hurt warring in her expression.

"I... That's not..." Camilla stammered, her mind racing to find a way out of this nightmare.

"It's just so

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