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The cold air makes me shiver, but I don’t want to move. I watch as the last of the guests leave the premises.
“A penny for your thoughts?”
I jump when Emery appears behind me silently. She imitates my actions and leans against the balcony.
The lunch ended twenty minutes ago. It may only be 6 p.m., but I’m exhausted. I want to change into some comfy clothes and climb into bed. There is a heavy weight on my chest – a bout of sadness I can’t explain. Breathing feels difficult, and unsolicited tears brim in my eyes.
I tell myself it’s because this is my first Christmas without Mia and Elliot. They would always come and fulfil the Christmas tradition I had with my mum.
But a part of me knows it was Huxley’s departure without a goodbye. He didn’t acknowledge me after the table encounter. It’s irrational, but I want him to beg me not to look at someone else. I want him to tell me he sees me as more than a quick fuck.
“I’m just tired. Where are you going?”
“The ladies are gathering at the club. Why don’t you join us? I would love to introduce you!”
Just then, Xavier joins us, and I beg him with my eyes to get me out of it.
“It’s been a long day. Plus, all you do is get ridiculous on wine.”
The dig is less than subtle, but Emery ignores it. “Very well. Get some rest.” She walks down the few steps and looks at me again. “May I offer you some advice?”
I nod.
“Men can’t see what is right in front of them; they need you to spell it out.” She gives me a knowing smile. “Call Ray before the night is over. God knows you are a good match.”
I don’t know what to say or how to react, so I give her a short nod. Once she climbs into the car, I turn to Xavier.
He grins at me. “Weare going on an adventure.“ He takes my hand in his and leads me back into the warmth of the house. He locks the front door and carries on to the kitchen and garden. When he stops at my front door, I glare at him.
“This is the adventure?”
Despite my attitude, his childlike smile doesn’t go anywhere. “Okay, maybe it is more of a journey back.”
The cold air makes me shiver, so I reach into my bag for my key but can’t find it.
“Looking for this?” He holds my key in front of me. “I asked Francesca to swipe it so I could sort this out.” He doesn’t elaborate further. He opens the door and lets me in. Everything looks the same until I peer into my transformed bedroom.
A large fort has been assembled in the middle of the room. Fairy lights are draped across the top and sides.
A lump forms in my throat, and the tears I’ve spent the day holding back fall at the sweet surprise.
“How did you know?”
“I asked Mia if you had any Christmas rituals, and she told me you and your mum would make a fort and eat pizza bagels and ice cream.”
Before I can stop myself, I throw my arms around his neck and hug him tight. “Thank you,” I whisper.
His hold on me starts loose before he closes the gap. He lets out a sigh of relief at my positive reaction.
We climb under the fort and sit on the floor. Seeing him seated on the floor is odd, but at least he wears everyday attire, not formalwear. He hands me a warm pizza bagel, and I moan at the familiar taste.
Xavier stares at it with a puzzled face. “Why pizza bagels?”
“My mum was never able to make a proper Christmas dinner, so it was on me. At nine, all I could use was the toaster and grill,” I laugh. “She loved it and was proud I could care for myself when she couldn’t. Every year after that, it stuck. Well, until she was placed in a home.”
He looks at me as if I’m a mythical creature he can’t believe is real. “And the ice cream?”
“I have a sweet tooth. So does your baby, by the way.”
