Christmas in Pine Island: A small town holiday romance

on the planet and we get to travel the world—just not necessarily together.
I take a sip of my tonic and crunch the ice, hoping the cold sensation will keep me awake. I turn my attention back to the group. I can’t help but notice the exuberant joy glowing from Jake and Stacy.
A new baby for the group—it’s exhilarating! I love playing around with Ryan. A new kiddo means one more person to love. Hell, maybe I’ll even compose a rock lullaby album with my band. That’d certainly be something new and interesting for Social Kingdom to pursue.
My head starts to swim with ideas and notes gather in the sharp corners of my mind. Yes, this could be just the thing I’m looking for. And bonus, Jake and Stacy can play my music for their sweet kiddos so they don’t forget me and Morgan while we’re away.
That thought brings my enthusiasm to a screeching halt. Contemplating being away from my friends and their kids . . . it makes my heart abruptly wrench in my chest.
I clear my throat, a little startled by my visceral reaction to the passing thought.
Donovan cocks his head so he can give me an intrigued side-eye, but I wave away his concern. It’s crazy how well he knows me. Then again, we grew up practically next door to each other.
Before he was a billionaire, Donovan was a dorky kid with skinned knees just like me. Despite his cold exterior, he’s a good guy. He was there for me when my mom up and left, and my deadbeat, drunken dad took it out on me.
Until I met Morgan, I think Donovan was the only person who bothered to care about me, though that was because I worked so hard at pushing everyone away. But not Donovan. Turns out the guy’s as thick-headed as he is successful.
But it was Morgan who helped me see the light. When I fell, she helped me stand. I'm sober and proud because of her. I’ll never drink a damn drop again because I know it’d mean losing her forever.
Nothing is worth that.
Even though I'm exhausted, Morgan seems to run on a never-ending supply of energy. I swear there’s got to be fairy dust in that sparkly eyeshadow she’s known for. If I could pull it off I’d ask her to share some with me. I’d sure like to bottle some of her energy for when I’m running low.
She’s bouncing in her seat now, energetically gabbing with everyone about the last elite runway she walked. I shake my head, grinning even though I’ve heard the story already. I don’t think I’ll ever stop smiling as long as she’s by my side.
I can hardly believe I bagged a supermodel.
Not only has Morgan got a gorgeous bod, but her heart is even more beautiful than any man deserves. She’s truly the holy grail of girls. At least in my opinion.
Donovan and Jake would probably think the same of their ladies.
We’re lucky in that way.
I catch Morgan’s eye as she talks and shoot her a wink. Her smile deepens and she squeezes my hand as she turns back to her conversation with the girls.
I take the opportunity to yawn.
I played to a fully packed stadium across the country yesterday, and Morgan had a stylist fitting this morning in . . . some city. At this point, I’ve lost track.
We’re on the move so much that we hardly have time to even talk to one another, much less our friends. We do our best to at least share a hotel room when we can, but even that feels far too fleeting. Plus, there’s nothing quite like home. Even luxury tour buses and private plane rides get old eventually.
I never thought I’d be the guy craving the simplicity of the same bed and roof over my head every night, but I’m starting to see the appeal. Five-star hotels might sound stellar, but even they get stale. Especially when they’re missing one important ingredient—Morgan.
I don’t care how nice my accommodations are. Without her I might as well be back in my old crummy apartment. It’s not like either of us has a lot of time to indulge in fancy hotel amenities anyway. We work, sleep, repeat.
Sure, I’ve traveled to a hundred different cities . . . but what have I gotten out of it? I love my fans and I love Social Kingdom, but I’ve started to wonder if there isn’t more that I should be getting out of life.
Chatting about Jake and Stacy settling down and starting a family . . . it makes me wish I could be home more. Ryan’s already changed so much in the last year. I can’t believe he’s already seven!
I want to spend more time with him, and I want to see this little baby grow up, too. I feel like I’ve missed so much already;Ryan growing up, Jake and Stacy becoming parents, and there’s definitely something going on with Donovan.
I want to be home more, but I’ve worked damn hard to get to this point in my career.
Would I be stupid to give it all up now?
Would Morgan think less of me if I did?
As I mull over my thoughts, I gently press a kiss against Morgan’s shoulder. She turns her head quickly, cupping my face and stealing a kiss of her own. A soft sigh escapes my mouth as I lean closer.
Something about Morgan lights a fire deep in my soul. I’ve never cared for anyone the way I care about her. I’d do anything—everything—to make her happy.
“Get a room you two!” Chloe teases. She grins over at us, but there’s something strained in her face.
Okay, there’s definitely something going on with her and Donovan.
No doubt everyone is taking a hard look at the future thanks to Jake and Stacy’s announcement. But what could my billionaire business besties have to worry about?
Chloe and Donovan have been killing it in the advertising world. And as far as I know, they’re rock