Page 65 of Winter With You

‘Me neither. I really don’t like Christmas,’ Luca said.

‘Shh!’

‘What?’

‘I don’t think you can say it quite that bluntly or so loudly in a festive market.’

‘Why?’

‘Because it’s… against the December law and a team of Santa’s angry elves might descend and kick the crap out of you in front of everyone lining up for a turn sitting on their boss’s knee telling him their biggest gift wish.’

‘Wow,’ Luca said, looking straight at her as they meandered behind Phoebe and Mr Darcy. ‘That’s some hidden trauma right there. What did Santa ever do to you?’

Gabriella sighed. ‘It’s the obnoxious red suit. Come on, Mr Expert Stylist, it’s a crime against fashion at the very least.’

‘Maybe like you wearing a fake Prada coat.’

‘Is that supposed to sting me? Some people can’t afford Prada, you know.’

‘I don’t believe Prada haven’t offered to gift you one if you’ve been photographed in that.’

She smiled. ‘I’m always photographed in it. And Prada have offered. It’s a choice.’

‘Why?’

‘So many reasons.’

‘And you are an expert at not answering a direct question.’

‘I do answer,’ Gabriella stated. ‘Just not always in the ways people hope for. So, tell me, why aren’t you a Christmas person?’

‘I think I asked you my Santa question first. And I am a gentleman who can wait his turn.’

‘Is that so?’

‘Not answering until you do.’

‘I wasn’t really that interested.’

‘OK then.’

She watched him put his hands in the pockets of his coat and then he overtook her, sidling up to Phoebe and Mr Darcy, pointing at some hideous pink candyfloss that could possibly give you diabetes in one sitting. Why did she now want to know why he didn’t like Christmas more than she had ever wanted to know anything about anybody?

‘Gabriella, can we get candyfloss?’ Phoebe called as Gabriella caught up to them.

‘Actually, Phoebe, the New York thing to have at a Christmas market is waffles,’ Luca told her.

‘Gabriella, can we get waffles?’

Gabriella smiled. ‘We can get waffles on one condition.’

‘What?’ Phoebe asked.

She looked directly at Luca. ‘That Luca tells us why he doesn’t like Christmas.’

The second the words were out of her mouth she wanted to take them back. His usual light eyes clouded over like someone had extinguished all the good in the world.

‘You don’t like Christmas!’ Phoebe exclaimed.