Mila Wilson is quiet, anxious and a little bit of a mess. Panic attacks have ruled her life for as long as she can remember - but starting college is her chance to take control. Love? Not something she believes she's built for.
Then she meets Jace E...
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Christmas. The time of year I always look forward to the most. I'm a complete sucker for this holiday—the peace, the quiet joy that seems to settle over everything like soft snow, the warmth of family gathering together after months apart.
With college on winter break, I finally feel like I can exhale. I was able to finish all my assignments just in time before Jace drove me over to my mom's house yesterday. I spent Christmas Eve here with her and my sister, while Jace went to visit his father. Today, Christmas Day, is reserved for the whole family—dinner, laughter, stories passed around—and I'm genuinely happy Jace is joining us for it.
"Jace, I'm so glad you could make it. Please, come in," my mom says from the hallway, her voice carrying warmly through the house. The sound pulls me from my thoughts, and I'm quick on my feet, hurrying to meet her at the door.
"Thank you for the invitation, Helen. This is for you," Jace's voice answers—deep, familiar, and grounding. I round the corner just in time to catch the end of their hug.
"Oh, thank you, Jace. That wasn't necessary," my mom replies, holding up the bottle of red wine he brought.
"This time, you really are early," I tease, smiling as his eyes snap up to meet mine.
"I'll leave you two alone," my mom smirks, disappearing into the kitchen for her final flurry of preparations.
"Is that a problem?" he asks, eyes scanning me from head to toe. They linger at the hem of my black dress, where my sheer tights disappear beneath the fabric. I decided to dress up, just a little, for tonight.
"Not at all," I say softly, my smile turning shy under the weight of his gaze. And then I take him in. Light gray suit pants. A crisp white shirt tucked neatly in. It's a look I've never seen on him before—so out of the ordinary—and yet he somehow still looks like himself. Maybe even more. A wave of butterflies flutters through my stomach. "You look amazing," I tell him, my cheeks warming.
"So do you. I've never seen you wear a dress before," he says, pulling me closer and toying gently with the hem of it between his fingers.
Then he leans down and kisses me—long, slow, and full of something sweet. I breathe in the scent of him, letting it settle.
"I'm really glad you're here. Come in," I whisper, pulling him inside and closing the door behind us. I take his jacket and hang it carefully on the rack before we step into the living room. The table's already set, glittering under the soft overhead lights like something from a magazine.
"That must be the famous Jace," Ava grins, getting up from the sofa when she sees us.
"Ava, I presume?" Jace smiles politely. He doesn't offer a handshake. "I hear you come from a family of huggers," he says with a playful glint in his eye.
Ava chuckles. "I like him already."
"Have you seen my—" Ryan appears from the hallway, pausing mid-sentence when he sees us. "Oh, hey! Jace? I'm Ryan, Ava's boyfriend," he says, offering a firm handshake.
