“Bonifacia?” I asked.
Aunt Rita said slowly, “Bonifacia is a new renter. She’s rented the room across from William’s.” ?
“Oh, that’s great,” I said. I was still unable to fully process what was happening. “The food smells delicious. Is she joining us for dinner?”
Mr. Braithway walked in. He was holding two bottles of wine and a bottle of whiskey. “Happy Holidays!”
“Mr. Braithway,” I said as my eyes darted from Aunt Rita to Mr. Braithway.
As if to make things clearer, Mr. Braithway set the bottles on the counter and walked over to Aunt Rita. He slid his arm around her waist and gave her a quick peck on the lips. Aunt Rita smiled up at him, then said, “Kit, I know you’ve met Mr. Braithway before. We’ve been dating.”
Aunt Rita put her hand out and I blinked, wide-eyed at the biggest diamond engagement ring I’d ever seen. “Wow! Congratulations! But this is a lot to take in.”
“I know it’s a lot,” Aunt Rita said softly. She looked up at Mr. Braithway, who still had his arm around her waist, and smiled. “But we are incredibly happy, Kit. I hope you’ll be happy for us too.”
I took a deep breath and held it in for a second before I said, “I am. I really am. It’s a surprise, but I am happy for you two. But how did you two even meet?”
Aunt Rita looked up at Braithway and said adoringly, “George has been volunteering with the chamber and the hospital. I’d seen him around at the hospital.”
Braithway let a little smile slip, and he said, “From the moment I first saw her, I just knew.”
“The rest is history.” Aunt Rita blushed. I had never seen her so happy before, and I didn’t want to rain on this parade, but this was a lot to take in.
Aunt Rita said, “Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes.”
I was grateful for the distraction. “I think I’m just going to go upstairs to clean up,” I said. I turned and hurried down the hallway and to the foyer. My head was spinning. George Braithway and Aunt Rita had just given me so much to process. I darted for the front door, tempted to run back to my car and drive straight back to Veronica’s house in Atlanta.
My hand was on the knob of the front door when I saw someone standing by the Christmas tree, putting logs onto the fireplace. He had his back turned toward me, but I recognized his broad shoulders.
In that moment, a thousand scenarios raced through my mind. All of which felt too scary to face. I wanted to run. I reached out for the doorknob, but William’s muttering stopped me.
“Why won’t this fire light?” I heard him say under his breath.
“William,” I said softly.” Merry Christmas. Need help with that fire?”
William turned and his dark eyes showed their surprise and then something like relief washed across his face. His full lips parted and he said softly, “Kit, I am so happy to see you.”
William took a step toward me but then stopped himself. He shoved a hand in his pocket and bit his lip. I felt emotionalhearing William say he was happy to see me. It was a relief, but I still felt anxiety in the pit of my stomach.
“I’m happy to see you, too,” I said quietly. “I didn’t expect to see you in Creekstone. Mr. Braithway told me you were spending the holiday with your mom, so I just assumed you were with her in the Philippines.”
“Oh, yeah.” William ran his hand through his hair and then shoved his free hand in his pocket. “My mom is renting a room here now. I brought her to Creekstone in the fall, and she just loved it, so I helped her rent a room.”
I stepped into the front room, unsure of what to say next.
We were silent for a moment until I pointed toward the kitchen. “Sorry if I seem out of it. I just saw Aunt Rita and Braithway kiss, and I have so many questions, but I am not sure I’ll ever be ready for the answers.”
William chuckled.
I swallowed. “I saw your Christmas tree. The one in the competition. It’s perfect.” My voice caught a little in my throat.
William closed the distance between us. He stood close enough to touch me, but he didn’t. After all this time, I couldn’t believe how I longed for him. He asked in a low voice, “Can we talk upstairs?”
I nodded and I followed William to his studio apartment. I’d played out so many scenarios in which William and I would see each other for the first time. For the last month, I’d imagined the conversation over and over again. I’d practiced what I would say with anyone who would listen: my therapist, my best friend, the lady who cut my hair in D.C., and the plants in my dad’s apartment. I thought I was ready for this, but standing there, all I could think about was what Mr. Braithway had told me in the library.
When reached William’s room, it was exactly as it was when I left, only now a small Christmas tree stood by the fireplace. I walked over to the tree and admired it.
“Is it okay if I shut the door?” William asked.
