War on Christmas: An Enemies-to-Lovers Holiday Rom-Com by Elle Campbell

Author:Elle Campbell [Campbell, Elle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-11-06T16:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Nine

FREYA

I’ve always believed in the powers of my own evil genius, and tonight…tonight just proves how very right I was. Because right now, I’m curled into Jeremy Kelly’s side, his big, muscular arm draped over my shoulders, and he’s staring at me like he wants to rip off my clothes and have his wicked way with me on our tabletop.

And Tiffany Ebner looks positively green with envy.

Look. I get it. I’m a grown-ass woman, and the mature, empowered thing to do would be to move on. Enjoy my nice date with Jeremy McHottie and let bygones be bygones. This little ruse to make Tiffany jealous is petty as fuck, and it should be beneath me.

Except…I’m enjoying every fucking minute.

“So, I heard a rumor about you...” Becky, who’s been delightful, leans across the table with a cheeky grin, her dimple flashing. My memories of her mostly involve being lab partners in chemistry and her excitement when I helped her pull an A both semesters. She’s still petite and blonde, but the sparse, wiry frame she had as a teenager has softened and rounded, and she’s traded her low-rise jeans and crop tops for leggings, an oversized sweater, and boots.

“Don’t believe everything you hear,” I caution her, then grin back. “But it’s probably true.”

Jeremy, who’s showing an admirable commitment to his role, appears to barely be listening to the conversation. Ever since we sat down, he’s been plastered to my side, his hands roving over my curves as we talked over drinks and dinner. Possessive—that’s what he’s been. Fingertips trailing down my arm. Soft kisses dropping along my neck. His hand teasing along my thighs, playing with the edge of my skirt. He even started a game of feeding each other, each of us offering bites of our meal to the other.

If I didn’t know he was playing, I would have melted into a puddle on the floor before dessert ever arrived. But if I were a puddle, I couldn’t enjoy the way Tiffany is glaring daggers at me. And I’m really, really enjoying it.

“Well…” Becky looks over either shoulder to be sure nobody else can hear. Then she leans even closer. “Last year, Jacob Fontaine and Amy Tahlier got married. You remember Jacob, right?” I nod. Jacob was a year ahead of us and played Kenickie in Grease our junior year. He didn’t have the charisma to pull off Kenickie, but he’d been quick to joke with the stage crew. I’d liked him. “So, his buddies took him for this epic trip to Chicago for his bachelor party. And while they were there, they saw a burlesque show…”

I start for a moment, my shoulder jumping under Jeremy’s hand.

A rumor…a bachelor party…a burlesque show…

I’d known being recognized was a possibility, but between my stage name and the costumes and makeup, the possibility had seemed small. And for years, I’d been right.

Until tonight, apparently.

I brace myself, waiting for a rush of embarrassment or fear. Anticipating the itchy, pinprick crawl of guilt beneath my skin.

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