Page 32 of Naughty or Nice?

“Who would possibly be at the door on Christmas morning?” Nicholas asks. He lets go of my hand to get up out of his chair.

The person on the doorstep answers his question for us.

“Open up!” barks Nate from the other side of the door. He jiggles the knob and beats his fist harder against the door. “I know you two are in there!”

CHAPTER 10

Kendall

Icy dread washesover me at the furious sound of Nate’s voice. I remain seated in my chair, unable to process what’s happened. How has Nate turned up outside Nicholas’s Airbnb, and how does he know we’re together?

Nicholas moved his truck to the garage. He told his family he was busy with last-minute business plans for his brewing company, sleeping overnight in the office at The Tavern, and that he would be home Christmas morning.

Had Nate known he was lying or did something else to tip him off to his whereabouts?

“This can’t be for real,” I mutter under my breath, my hand shaky as it comes to my face.

Nicholas glances between the door and where I’m seated at the dining table. His expression hardens, his jaw like steel.

“It’s time, darling. There’s no avoiding it. He knows we’re inside.”

“OPEN UP!” Nate roars from the front door. He beats his fists against the door, adding a few swift kicks to emphasize his demand.

“Nick…” I moan, sighing. “I don’t know what to say to him…”

“I’ll handle it.”

The situation is no longer containable.

It’s spinning out of control. My worst nightmare coming to life.

I sit at the table, closing my eyes, wishing I’d never come to Morrow in the first place. Did I really believe it would turn out like some Hallmark movie?

Nicholas grips the doorknob and then wrenches the door open, coming face to face with his son.

Pure loathing contorts Nate’s features. He glares at his father like he’s his enemy and then spits, “Where is she? KENDALL!”

He pushes past Nicholas, shoulder checking him as he does. I stand up from the table on legs that feel unsteady, so on edge I feel like I’m about to throw up the eggs and bacon I’ve started eating.

“Nate, what are you doing here?”

“Don’t give me that crap. How could you, Kendall?”

My eyes meet Nicholas’s from faraway. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

“Cut it out!” he booms, making me flinch. “I know all about what you two’ve been up to! I saw it with my own two eyes. This new or have you been fucking my father all along?”

Hearing it spoken aloud adds a new layer of shame to the situation. My mouth opens to explain, then clamps shut. A warm flush washes over me as I realize I have no real defense.

None that will undo the damage being done before me.

I’ve not only slept with my ex’s father, I’ve ruined their holiday. I’ve possibly ruined theirfamily.

“Nate, this wasn’t something I planned,” I say finally, my tone quiet.

“You didn’t plan it? That supposed to make it any better? It took you a couple hours to move on? And to myfather?” he sneers in disgust. Rounding on Nicholas, he eyes him with even more contempt than me. “What about you, Dad? You saw my sniveling fiancée out in the cold and thought you’d play hero? All that about mourning was nonsense? You’ve really been waiting for a chance to screw my girl?”

“Lower your voice and have some respect about your mother’s passing,” Nicholas warns.