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“I think we ought to check what Carrie and Michael need us to bring, especially as it’s only three days away!”

“That’s an excellent idea. I wish I’d thought of it.”

Lucy laughed. “I’ll message them now.”

Some back and forth of messages ensued while Dylan and Lucy watched a second episode of Downton Abbey. It was decided that they’d bring cauliflower cheese and an apricot and hazelnut stuffing Lucy had been meaning to try making for ages. Lucy put down her phone and pulled her blanket up a bit higher. She glanced over at the man sitting at the other end of the sofa. A man who had unexpectedly become such a huge part of her life, and now she couldn’t really imagine doing without.

Chapter 26

“It feels so strange to be closing this place up for over a week,” Lucy said, as the last customer left on the 23rd. “It’ll be a whole other year when we’re open again.” She picked up a chair to put it up on the table, but it was gently removed from her.

“I’ll do that,” Dylan said. “You’re still OK with being shut for so long?”

“Yes,” Lucy reassured him, going to get the broom to sweep the floor. “It absolutely makes sense. It was so quiet over Christmas last year, I didn’t even make a profit, when you take into account the electricity I would have used while open. Plus, it’ll be good to have a break. It’s just a shame that the decorations you put up won’t be enjoyed by anyone over Christmas itself. The shop looks so beautiful, and it means such a lot to me when customers comment on it. Thank you so much.”

“It’s just a few decorations, don’t worry about it,” Dylan said.

“No,” Lucy said quietly. “Thank you for saving my business.”

“Your business didn’t need saving,” Dylan replied. “It just needed an injection of cash due to a situation outside of your control. And it was my pleasure.”

“Without you, I would have had to move home and find a new location for my shop, at the very least. With shop units being so sought-after here, I doubt I could have found anything soon. It would have cost me a fortune, and possibly meant that I wouldn’t be able to set up another shop.”

“You would have thought of something,” Dylan said. “You’re very resourceful.”

“Thank you, but it would have been awful. I’m so glad that I’ve been able to stay here.”

“And you own the building now, so it can’t happen again.”

“We own the building,” Lucy corrected.

“Technically, you and I and the mortgage company own the building,” Dylan laughed. “But I know that doesn’t sound as good.”

“I appreciate you helping, and, I’ll be completely honest, you have turned out to be a fantastic business partner.”

“May I have that in writing?”

“No,” Lucy said firmly.

“Damn. I should have recorded it. I mean, I would have if I’d thought there was any possibility that you’d say it.”

Lucy stuck her tongue out at him.

“Turns out, you’re also an excellent business partner,” Dylan said.

* * *

Lucy lay awake in bed that night, just like she used to when Christmas approached as a child, getting more and more excited as the days passed. The flat smelled deliciously of the lasagne they’d cooked together for the following evening and her mind was full of Dylan, who somehow felt so far away, even though he was just in the next room. She’d never want to be with someone just because they were having a baby together, but of course that was what all of her hormones were screaming at her to do.

Though this was definitely more than pregnancy hormones. They were good together, complementing one another in a way she hadn’t thought possible. In a way she’d never had before, or even realised she needed. Yes, she’d been perfectly fine by herself, her life had been full and meaningful, but it was just . . . better with Dylan in it, was about the only way she could think to put it. Everything was easier and more fun, but what was she supposed to do about that? She’d committed the cardinal sin of falling for a playboy. How many times had she heard people joking about how Dylan flirted with any woman he could, and that he’d never settle down? How hard was it going to be, being so close to him, raising a child together, and seeing him with other women? He was looking after her now because she was carrying his child and because he was a good guy who helped anyone he could, it turned out, but after the baby was born and she didn’t need his cooking or fussing over anymore, what then? Would she only see him when he picked up and dropped off their child? It didn’t bear thinking about, especially as there was very little she could do about it. It was inevitable that he’d date, and the more she got to know him, the more she realised that it was only a matter of time before another woman realised just how great he was.

Chapter 27

Lucy and Dylan had breakfast together on Christmas Eve.

“It’s so good to be able to cook again,” Lucy commented, as she placed two poached eggs on each of their plates next to the bacon Dylan had just finished grilling.

“I bet, though I note you’re still staying well away from butter.”