Carys stroked her hair. “Babe, you have nothing to be insecure about. You’re so fucking lovely. I can’t wait to plan all the things with you.”

“Me too.”

Greta had to work hard to keep herself from screaming her joy into the night.

But why? Why was she trying to hide her feelings from Carys? That was the whole point of joy, right? To feel it and share it?

Giddy and shaky with adrenaline, Greta stood.

“I’m gonna move in with the best girlfriend in the world!” she yelled at the dark, sludgy river. The Mississippi ate her words and skipped them out again, because someone shrouded in night called back “Congratulations!” (Someone else called back “Shut up,” but it’s all about mindset, so Greta ignored it.)

Carys snorted and stood up beside her, slinging an arm around her waist.

“I can’t believe I used to live in Maine. On an island.” Giddy had become slaphappy, and Carys squeezed her tight.

“I can’t believe you came here as part of a house swap,” Carys joined in.

“Omigod, I know!”

“So listen,” Carys said, suddenly serious. “I want to run something by you.”

“Hit me.”

“I really, really want to kiss you,” Carys said. “And I wonder what you think about that?”

Greta blinked at Carys asking, then she remembered. It was what Carys had said the first time they’d kissed, in this very spot.

“Shut the hell up and kiss me already,” Greta replied, as she had all those months ago.

Carys’ lips were lemon and honey, her mouth a luscious play of love and want. The kiss was sweet until it went dark and hungry, Carys’ tongue sliding against her own and sending shivers through her legs and guts, directly to her crotch.

“Damn,” Carys said as Greta breathed, “Wow.”

Then by unspoken agreement, they reached for each other’s hands and walked slowly, love-drenched, back to the home they would soon share, New Orleans providing the chorus.

THE END

Bonus Material

Enjoy your very own holiday as Roan Parrish takes you on a tour of the world of The Holiday Trap, including:

1. A sample from Truman’s bullet journal, ready to be copied for your own use

2. Questions for your next book club meeting

3. Roan Parrish’s latke recipe

4. And even more holiday cheer!

Reading Group Guide

1. At the beginning of the book, both Truman and Greta want to escape from emotionally difficult situations by going somewhere completely new. Have you ever imagined running away (even for a short time) and experiencing a completely fresh start? Where would you go and what would you do?

2. What it is about being in a new place that gives us perspective on our lives? Have you ever found changing your location changed your outlook?

3. Greta has a very involved family—sometimes a bit too involved for her liking. How might this have influenced Greta’s personality? Is Greta’s family anything like your own?