Holiday Hideout (Polar Bear, Alaska)

Joanie shakes her head. “No, it’s more likely Fender says no to being with you than the plane crashing.” Leave it to Joanie to give it to me straight.

Now, I worry, but push the thoughts away. “Thanks for that.”

I sling my carry-on bag over my shoulder and head toward security with slow steps. There’s a slight commotion coming from the line, and I stare back at Joanie.

“What is that?” Joanie asks, looking at the small gathering of people with cameras. “Oh my god, it’s Fender.” She points to the center of the crowd.

I strain my neck, trying my best to see him. “What is he doing here?” I ask Joanie.

“Maybe he forgot something.”

And then I see him. He looks sexier than he did before he left. His tousled dark hair hangs low over his sunglasses. His jeans and white tee are probably the hottest thing I’ve seen this man wear. He spots me and stops walking, a slow smile spreading across his face.

He’s so gorgeous.

The crowd parts, and he crosses the airport to stand right in front of me.

A tingle radiates throughout my body. “Did you forget something?” I ask him.

He removes his sunglasses, his eyes blazing into mine. “Yeah, you.” He wraps his strong arms around my waist and plants his lips right on mine.

Our tongues crash together like old friends that never want to be parted again. He tugs me closer, and I fling my arms around his neck, running my fingers through his hair.

I don’t care if people gawk at us.

I don’t even care if someone snaps a photo of the two of us making out like teenagers in the middle of an airport.

All I do care about is this man, holding me like his whole life depends on it.

“What are you doing here?” Fender asks after he’s broken the kiss.

“I was heading to LA to be with you.” I show him my ticket in my hand.

“I love you, Rachel. After this last shark movie, I’m quitting, and I want to live here with you.”

My eyes fill with tears. “I love you too. But you don’t need to quit for me.”

“But your father, your sister.”

I shake my head. “They’re both fine.”

Fender’s arms are still around me, and he smiles. “We can figure it all out. Just know that I don’t plan on ever letting you go.”

I rise on tiptoes, and right before I kiss him, I say, “And I won’t ever let you.”

Epilogue

Rachel

* * *

And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care. Well, as much care as Fender could muster.

In his defense, we’ve been very busy since we left the airport, and the fact that he was able to even hang the stockings at all was a major feat.

“The house looks great,” Fender says, staring at all the holiday decorations we’ve put together in his cabin. “I can’t believe you think I needed more.”

I prop up on an arm, while lying next to Fender on a red buffalo check blanket in front of a roaring fire. “Yes, Christmas only comes once a year and it’s a time to be festive.”

Fender smiles that brilliant smile that makes me love him ten times harder every time he lays it on me. “It is peaceful here.” He holds me close as he tickles my bare back with his fingers. “I’m not happy I have to leave in the morning.”

“It won’t be too bad. I’ll be going with you this time.”

“I can’t wait to show you LA.” He kisses the top of my head. “And I really can’t wait for you to meet everyone on the set of SharkQuake.”

My stomach flips. “I can’t believe this.” Basically, all my dreams are coming true. If you would have asked me last Christmas how I thought I’d be celebrating the next year’s Christmas, I’d never have pictured this scenario. Even though I’ve imagined this scenario every time I watched one of the SharkQuake movies.

“Believe it, Rachel. And if you forget it, I’ll remind you everyday how much you mean to me.” He slants his lips over mine, tugging my body closer.

I break the kiss. “There’s only one thing I haven’t seen yet.”

Fender smiles. “What’s that?”

“Will you play something on the guitar for me?”

His cheeks are actually turning pink as he moves to the other side of the room to grab his guitar. “I guess I can play a little something.” He strums the strings, playing a chord that floats through the room.

It’s perfect.

He starts a slower tune, and sings the first line about meeting the right one.

I hold my breath as he continues.

“Sometimes in life, it’s too short.

Sometimes in life, you meet someone.

Sometimes in life, you get surprised.

You meet the one you’re meant to.”

My heart burns in my chest as he sings about meeting me. And then the chorus starts and I laugh a little.