Chasing Christmas Eve Read online

  One week later, New Year’s

  The lights came up in the movie theater but Colbie couldn’t tear her eyes off the screen as the credits rolled.

  Screenplay adapted from the novel by CE Crown

  When the words scrolled by, the audience went nuts and Colbie beamed.

  “So,” Spence asked at her left. “What did you think?”

  “She loved it!” her mom exclaimed from her right, squeezing Colbie’s hand. “Right, baby?”

  Colbie couldn’t talk. This was her second time seeing her book come to life and it was no less amazing. It’d been an experience of a lifetime and she felt like she was floating.

  Behind her, Kylie and Willa were practically bouncing in their seats and thrust their faces close to Colbie.

  “It was terrific!” Kylie exclaimed. “Better than terrific! Five stars! Both thumbs up!”

  “Yes, all of that,” Elle said next to them. “But it wasn’t as good as the book.”

  Colbie’s heart felt full to bursting as she shot Elle a smile of thanks. “You all liked it? Really?”

  Everyone nodded emphatically, and she did mean everyone. Her brothers and mom had flown into San Francisco the day before to celebrate New Year’s Eve and to get a feel for Colbie’s new home.

  All of Colbie’s new friends were there too. The girls and even the guys. Finn, Sean, Keane, Archer, Joe, Caleb . . .

  The entire gang.

  All of them there for her. She felt her throat get tight.

  Spence met her gaze and as usual read her without effort. He pulled her into him, wrapping his arms around her. It was sweet, even if she could feel his chest shaking with his low laugh. “Cute,” he said in her ear. “You’re cute. And amazing. I love you so much.”

  She looked into his eyes. He’d flown her family out here, for her. He’d rented the theater out for the movie, for her.

  His work world was going a million miles an hour this week but that hadn’t stopped him from being here for her. In fact, he was flying to Europe for several weeks tomorrow to deliver the drone prototypes and he’d convinced her to go with him.

  Seemed their lives could indeed be entwined, and the knowledge made her grin ridiculously.

  Spence smiled down into her face and kissed her.

  She’d thought her heart couldn’t get any more full than it was, but she’d been wrong. Her poor organ swelled, straining against her ribs as she cupped Spence’s jaw. “I love you back, you know.”

  “Yeah, yeah, to the moon and all that,” Kylie said, thrusting her face in between theirs again. “Blah blah. What I want to know is . . . can we see it again?” She turned to Spence. “You can get them to do that, right?”

  Spence never took his gaze off Colbie, brows raised, silently asking if she wanted him to.

  She grinned. “Yes, but we’ll need more hot dogs and pizza and popcorn.”

  “And wine,” Elle said.

  Spence stood up, presumably to make that all happen, but instead of walking away, he went to a knee at Colbie’s side.

  “Holy shit,” Joe said. “Didn’t see that coming.”

  Elle smacked him upside the head. “Shh!”

  Colbie’s heart had stopped and she stared at Spence. “Did you drop something?” she whispered.

  He smiled. “No.”

  Willa clapped her hands in delight. “Oh my God, is someone getting this on their camera?” She shoved Keane. “Quick, get your phone out!”

  “Oh,” Colbie’s mom breathed on a quiet sob. “I never thought this would happen! She’s not good at letting anyone want her.”

  “Shh, Mom,” Kurt murmured and squeezed her hand.

  Colbie couldn’t concentrate on any of it as Spence pulled something from his pocket.

  A small black box.

  “Oh my God. Are you sure?” she managed. “It hasn’t been all that long and I have a whole bunch of faults that you haven’t really gotten to see in full Technicolor yet, so I would advise you give me some more time—”

  “I’ve seen everything I need to,” Spence said, voice calm and sure. “You are the light in my world. You make me a better man. You—”

  “Yes!” she said emphatically and both laughed and cried when he just blinked.

  “I had a whole speech planned,” he said slowly. “I was going to tell you—”

  “Yes!” she cried again and leapt at him.

  He barely caught her, laughing as he rose with her in his arms.

  “Honey, you should maybe listen to what he wants to say,” Elle suggested. “Cuz he’s got some faults of his own and—” She broke off when Spence gave her a long look.

  Archer pulled Elle against him, his hand coming up to cover her mouth. “Got her,” he told Spence. “But make it quick before she bites me.”

  Spence’s gaze was still on Colbie. “You didn’t look at the ring.”

  “Still yes.”

  He grinned. “You’re that sure of the question? What if I was just going to ask you to—”

  “Let me save you some time,” she said. “Yes to everything and anything.”

  “Well that’s a little dangerous,” Pru murmured. “Giving him free rein to anything . . .”

  But Colbie wasn’t listening. She’d gotten her mouth on Spence and was happily losing herself in the man who understood her, loved her, and wanted forever with her.

  Which just might be the right amount of time . . .