Page 36 of The Christmas Star

As annoyed as I was, I felt myself give in. ‘In that case,’ I said. ‘I’ll have to forgive you.’

* * *

Dinner over with, we both sat leant back in our seats, each with a hand over our bellies.

I struggled to motivate myself, but with time getting on and both of us shattered, I hauled myself up from my chair. ‘Time to think about bed,’ I said.

Theo tapped his stomach. ‘I’m afraid it’s not going to be much of a wedding night.’

I reached for my travel bag and pulling out my toiletries and pyjamas, looked at Theo, my expression deadpan. ‘Oh no. How will that bode for the rest of our marriage?’

‘Don’t worry,’ Theo winked, ‘all good things come to those who wait.’

The room suddenly felt warm, but I pretended not to notice. ‘There’s something you should watch.’ I discreetly pulled at the neckline of Mum’s sweater trying to cool down. ‘It’ll bring you back to your senses.’ I dug out my phone and bringing up Mum’s TikTok handed it to Theo. ‘Brace yourself.’

‘Why?’ he asked, curious. ‘What have they been up to?’

‘You’ll see.’ Entering the bathroom, I locked the door shut. Leaning against the back of it, I wished Theo would stop with his comforting hands, suggestive smiles and one-eyed blinks. They made my body want things it had no business wanting from a man I’d only just met. I pictured myself lying on the bottom bunk with him sleeping above and sighed. ‘So near, yet so far.’

Glad to get out of Mum’s clothes, I turned on the shower and stepped under the hot water. I squeezed shampoo into my hand and rubbing it into my head, scrubbed my scalp clean.

I can see why you like him, my inner voice said.

‘I’m not listening,’ I replied.

Not only is he winning in the looks department, he’s a doer.

‘Please shut up.’

I can’t remember the last time someone sorted all your travel arrangements without complaint? And made sure you were fed and watered?

I soaped my body and rinsed everything off.

Then found you a proper bed for the night?

Unable to ignore it any longer, I scolded my inner voice for being impressed. ‘Your point being?’ I slammed off the shower and grabbed a towel. ‘Theo’s actions aren’t exactly special. Dad took charge of things for Mum all the time.’

Apples and pears. Theo isn’t your partner. He needn’t have done anything.

‘I don’t know what you think you’re doing,’ I hissed. ‘Because that man is far from perfect.’

Is he though? I thought you wanted a Henry Cavill lookalike?

I couldn’t deny the voice was right. ‘Okay, I’ll give you that. Aesthetically, Theo leans towards pleasing.’ I rolled my eyes. ‘But looks aren’t everything.’

You said you wanted a man who gives as much as he receives. Look at how he supported his ex.

I didn’t like where this discussion was going.

And didn’t you say he should be willing to drop everything, no matter the consequence, for those he loved?

‘Ha! Which is where your argument fails.’ I recalled Theo’s disregard at losing his job. ‘Theo didn’t drop anything for anyone. He was unemployed before he even knew about Mum and Jackson.’

But…

‘No buts. This conversation is over.’

As I brushed my teeth and cleansed my face, I insisted I had better things to think about. Handsome or not, employed or not, I didn’t care. Even Theo and Jackson’s personal history was of no consequence. My focus was on getting Mum off the road, down to Gisèle’s and then back home, so I could put together Rory’s blasted presentation and not end up unemployed too.