by Sandy Barker
“I did not know that, but that makes it all the more special.” He leant over and softly pressed his lips to hers. “I have said it before, but I know now that I didn’t mean it.”
“But you absolutely do now,” Chloe replied, cheekily.
“Oh, I absolutely do now, Ms Sims.” He leant in for another kiss.
*
“It’s a big year coming up,” said Jules.
“It is,” Matt agreed, a small smile curling his lips.
She peered up at him, one hand draped over his shoulder as she toyed with the curls at the nape of his neck. God, he was handsome. She thought back to the first time she’d seen him, when she was checking out his ass in those jeans. He looked really good in jeans. He looked good out of them too.
The hot Aussie winemaker. Matt. Her Matt. Matty. Maybe she would call him that.
She looked down at her glass—empty. “I’m a tiny bit tipsy,” she realised aloud.
“I can see that.” The smile widened.
“I’m also a tiny bit afraid.” She’d been sitting on this for a couple of days, her little secret. She hadn’t even told the girls. Maybe it was being back home that had unlocked her fears about moving to Australia.
“Well, that’s understandable. You’re about to make a massive change. It’s a big deal.”
Jules wasn’t sure what she was expecting from Matt, maybe a stock standard reassurance. “You’ve got this,” or something along those lines. His candour surprised her—in a good way. “You’re honest,” she said, matter-of-factly.
“To a fault.”
“I like that. I need that.”
“Good. ’Cause, there’s no point in me blowing smoke up your ass and pretending that it’s going to be all fun and games. It won’t be. Well, it will be—some of the time.” He smiled at her warmly. “But other times, it’ll be hard. You’re gonna miss your family, you’ll be settling into a new job, a new city. It’s bound to get overwhelming at times. But, hey, you’ve got me—and Ash, and Callie, and Thea.”
“And Dexter.”
“Aww, man, that dog loves you.”
She grinned, already missing Dexter’s cute little face. She hoped he was enjoying his time with his aunties, Callie and Thea, being a beach dog for the week. “Seriously, though, thank you for that. It does help, you being direct with me. I mean, I’m still terrified, but—”
“Hang on, you’ve gone from ‘a tiny bit afraid’ to ‘terrified’ …” He sucked his breath in through his teeth. “I thought I was helping.” She could tell he was kidding.
“No, you are. I promise. Just hearing it all laid out like that, it demystifies it, you know? And you’re right. It will be a mix of good and bad—mostly good, I hope. But I just have one follow-up question.”
“Shoot.”
“This, uh, ‘smoke up the ass’ thing … that’s not, like, some weird kind of Australian hazing ritual, is it?” Matt’s body shook with laughter, a deep rumbling sound that Jules had come to love. “I mean, it sounds sorta whacky, so I just wanna know ahead of time what I’m getting myself into.”
He sighed loudly. “Are you done?”
She nodded, a grin splitting her face and feeling a little more than pleased with herself.
“Well, if you’re sure, then we need to crack open the bubbly, ’cause there’s only a few minutes ’til midnight.”
“Oh, crap!” Jules jolted with surprise. “Guys! Will, Lucy!” she shouted. “It’s nearly time!”
“Geez, Jules, chill,” whined Chloe from the couch.
“I’ve got the fizz!” called out Lucy. She entered the living room with the bottle held high, followed by Will who carried six flutes—three in each hand. “Here, Matt, you’re the expert,” said Lucy, handing over the bottle.
Matt got to work on the foil, while Lucy took the glasses from Will and placed them on the coffee table. Matt removed the cage from the cork, then cracked the bottle with a whisper, just as the DJ on the radio announced in his silky voice that there was one minute to go.
“Oh, my god!” Jules was practically dancing with excitement and, as Matt poured each glass, she handed them out.
“I just wanna say something before the countdown,” Jules said hurriedly. “Archer, Chlo, come on, you two, stand up.” Archer leapt up and held out a hand to Chloe, who tutted good-naturedly as she peeled herself off the couch.
“I’ll make it quick, I promise,” said Jules. “I just want to say that I love you girls like sisters, my fellow May Ladies, and I’m so happy that we’re all here together.” Lucy gave her a broad smile and an “aw” and Chloe pursed her lips to blow a kiss across the room. “Archer, thank you so much for making this happen. Will, Lucy, you were amazing getting the place ready for us.
“And Matt …” Jules turned to look up at him, feeling his hand tighten on her waist. “Thank you. Thank you for coming all this way with me—for me.” She grinned, surprised by the tears in her eyes, and Matt dipped his head to land a quick kiss.
“Ten, nine, eight …” Jules shared an excited look with Lucy, then Chloe, as they all joined in on the countdown. “Seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!”
The six voices rang out, “Hap-py New Year!” as their flutes came together to toast the New Year and all the promise it held.
THE END
If you enjoyed The Christmas Swap then you’ll LOVE the Holiday Romance Series which is also by Sandy Barker, an uplifting romance series with gorgeous destinations.
You can get the first book, One Summer in Santorini here!
Be sure to follow Sandy Barker on Twitter @sandybarker, on Facebook @sandybarkerauthor, and check out their website at www.sandybarker.com for all the updates on their latest work.
Acknowledgements
It’s hard to believe I am writing the acknowledgements for my fourth book, but here I am. I have dedicated this book to my parents—my mum, Lee, my dad, Ray, and my step-mum, Gail. I am extremely fortunate to have parents who not only love me, but champion me and inspire me. They have also instilled in me the importance of family—including the family members we choose—as well as having a sense of adventure and following your dreams.
Family is a prominent theme in this book and as I write these acknowledgements amid the second round of COVID-19 lockdowns here in Melbourne, ‘family’ has become more important to me now than ever. And for me, a person who has lived on three continents, that word encompasses all the people I love, all the people who inspire me, lift me up, confide in me, and ease my path. Thank you, family—wherever you are. Stay safe and we will meet again someday soon.
As always, I am grateful to my two partners-in-writing, my editor, Hannah Todd, and my agent, Lina Langlee. It is wonderful having you in my corner and you are both gifted collaborators. Hannah, thank you for being my champion at One More Chapter and HarperCollins, and for your excellent feedback, which always elevates my writing. I continue to grow as an author under your guidance. Lina, I greatly appreciate your advocacy, your astute guidance, and your ongoing support of my writing career. Ever onwards and upwards—together.
Thank you to my fellow authors for supporting, championing, and inspiring me, particularly my fellow Renegades, Nina, Andie, and Fiona. Our daily catchups sustain me; they are chocolate for my soul. Thank you to Lucy Coleman (Linn B. Halton) whose quote appears on the cover of this book. I hope that one day I will be as prolific and as accomplished as you. Your books are the stuff of dreams. Thank you to all my fellow romance authors who forge and shape this genre, and to the book lovers, bloggers, and reviewers whose passion for romantic fiction lifts us all, especially my friends at UKRomChat, The Reading Corner Book Lounge, and Chick Lit and Prosecco. Thank you to the volunteers at the Romance Novelists Association and Romance Writers of Australia for your tireless efforts to sustain and elevate romantic fiction. And thank you to my fellow Aussie authors at the Australian Writer’s Centre and #AusWrites.
Lastly, dear reader, thank you. Thank you for traveling across three
continents with me and enjoying some Christmassy goodness. Christmas is my favourite holiday, and over my lifetime, I’ve spent it in the US, the UK, and Australia—each Christmas special for its distinct traditions and the loved ones I’ve shared it with.
Happy Christmas and stay safe.
~ Sandy Barker
About the Author
Author bio.
@sandybarker
@sandybarkerauthor
@sandybarkerauthor
www.sandybarker.com
Also by Sandy Barker
One Summer in Santorini
That Night in Paris
A Sunset in Sydney
About the Publisher
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