“Because we’re not going home,” Mirna says matter-of-factly. “We’re staying in Hollybrook for the rest of the week.”
I gape at her. “What?”
“We know how much this meant to you,” she says. “So, if Alex can’t give you the Christmas you want, we will.”
“But how did you find a place?” I ask, still stunned. “Alex said everything’s booked solid this time of year.”
“We found an Airbnb with a last-minute cancellation,” Barb says proudly. “And we grabbed it. Now we’re having a winter holiday with you.”
Tears sting my eyes, as I hug Barb. “But what about your families? It’s Christmas Day.”
“Pft,” Mirna snorts. “My daughter is still furious about the church service fiasco—she wouldn’t even speak to me. And you know how I feel about Todd’s mother. I called Barb and said I was coming to Hollybrook, with or without her.”
“And I couldn’t let her go without me,” Barb says, as though the idea is absurd. “Besides, my sons were working my last nerve. So…” She shrugs.
“But how did you get here? It’s barely noon.”
“We caught the first flight out,” Mirna says like it’s the most logical thing in the world. “And I didn’t trust anyone else with Maybelle, so we brought her along.” She softens, adding, “Plus, I thought you might need her.” Her gaze flicks toward the house. “We have an audience. Let’s finish this in the car.”
I glance back. Alex, Mallory, Tyler, and Valerie are framed in the doorway, their faces pressed to the glass like we’re a scene on TV. My stomach drops. Alex is watching me leave, blood dripping down his arm from my cat’s claws, and he didn’t even flinch. I picture patching up his knee two nights ago, and the memory makes my throat ache.
I slide into the backseat with Maybelle, blinking hard against tears. The carrier rattles beside me, but I feel the phantom press of Alex’s hand in mine.
Mirna gets in the driver’s seat—thank God, because Barb behind the wheel would terrify me—and backs out of the driveway. Barb lifts her hand and in a cheery wave.
“Don’t do that,” Mirna scolds. “They’re the enemy.”
“They’re not the enemy,” I say softly, my heart cracking wide open. “They did the best they could under the circumstances.”
“Alex dragged you into that mess,” Mirna says, all steel. “And you texted this morning that you couldn’t stay.”
“I know,” I admit, my voice cracking. “But Grant is Valerie’s son. He just broke up with his girlfriend—partially because she was going to have to sleep on the sofa bed. Because of me. I couldn’t make Valerie choose between us. It’s Christmas. He needs his family.”
“Blaming you is asinine,” Mirna fires back.
Her words sting, because she’s right. Deep down, I tell myself this isn’t my fault, but isn’t it? I knew what I was getting myself into when I accepted Alex’s offer. We lied to Alex’s family, so maybe this is exactly what I deserve. Besides, our lie wasn’t without victims. Alex’s mom cried when she hugged me. Mallory said I was the sister she always wanted. I hurt other people too.
I can still see Alex’s face, like me leaving broke him. But that was just guilt, right? He only felt bad because I’m so upset.
“I know blaming me is wrong,” I whisper, my heart heavy. “But Grant’s hurting.”
The car falls silent until we reach the square, and when Mirna pulls into the driveway of a tiny cottage, it feels like the end of something I barely got to begin.
“This is where we’re staying?” I ask, dumbfounded. From the porch, I can see the ice rink and the Christmas tree glittering on the square.
“It’s like it’s meant to be,” Barb says proudly. “We got it on the cheap for the rest of the week, so you can take your original flight home if you want.”
Is Alex on the same flight? Were we supposed to sit together? Should I change it?
We haul our luggage up to the front porch. Mirna punches a code into a keypad, and when the door clicks open, I step inside—and stop cold.
It looks like Buddy the Elf was on a sugar high and decorated the place in one night.
The entire house is Christmas themed from the red sofa and chairs, the artificial tree in the corner, the garland and lights strung across the ceiling, and—oh, God—the animatronic elves and reindeer jerking at the foot of the stairs.
“What the…?” Mirna mutters.
“It sure is festive,” Barb offers cheerfully.
