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I shake my head and wrap my arms around myself. “I’m so confused right now. I can’t make a decision that fast. This morning I woke up thinking I’d never see you again, and now, here you are, and I just don’t know what to think. I need some time. I hope you understand.”
“Wow. Well, this isn’t how I thought this was going to go.” His eyebrows pinch together, and a flash of pain crosses his face. “I shouldn’t have come. How dumb of me to think a famous actress like you would want to be with someone like me or live in a town like Winterberry.”
“Brent, that’s not what this is at all. Ilovethat little town and I’d be lucky to be with a man like you. I’m just taken by surprise, that’s all.”
I close the distance between us and reach out to touch his arm before he pulls it away and strides toward the elevator door.
“Don’t leave Brent. Let’s go get something to eat and talk. Please.”
“That’s okay, I should get home. I need to help get ready for the ball. I’ll tell everyone you said hi.” His voice hitches as if he’s trying to hold it together.
“Please Brent. Don’t go like this,” I practically beg.
“Goodbye Penelope.” He presses the elevator button. “Merry Christmas.”
And with that, he turns and enters the elevator, letting the doors shut between us.
I fall to the ground and fold over myself, rocking back and forth and trying to breathe. What have I done? How could he expect me to just come back with him? Did I just make the biggest mistake of my life?
Spotting the bag he left on the couch, I stand up on shaky legs and pull myself to where it sits. I drag the zipper down to reveal the most stunning dress I’ve ever seen. A gorgeous red shade, it has a small slit up the front and sparkles in the light. I take it out of the bag, walk to the full-length mirror in my closet, and hold it up to see how it looks on me.
It’s breathtaking.
My emotions take over again, and as I look at myself in the mirror, the mental image of Brent’s back as he left replays in my mind.
I’m such an idiot for letting him go.
I know what I have to do.
Manhattan has been my home for so long, but it doesn’t feel like where I belong anymore. Placing the dress back in the bag and closing it, I go back to my closet and choose a pair of shoes, a small gold clutch, and a pair of earrings.
I head to my bedroom and take down the same luggage I had with me the first time I found myself in Winterberry. I had no idea how my life would change in the time I was there, and now, I can’t imagine myself anywhere else.
I may have made a mistake not leaving with Brent, but I can make it right. I know I can. With the utmost confidence in my decision, I fit as much as I can into my bags and turn off the tree in the living room. It’s still a little early, but I’m going to bed. I need to be rested for the drive back to Winterberry tomorrow.
It’s time to go home.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Brent
“Mygirl,lookathow beautiful you are!” I say to Nora as she spins in front of the mirror, smiling.
When I got back into town last night, everyone expected Penelope to be with me. When I returned to the inn alone, their disappointment mirrored my own. Now, it’s Christmas Eve and I need to focus on my little girl. Penelope doesn’t want to be with us, and I have to respect that.
“Thank you, Dad. I love this dress,” she squeals. “I can’t wait for the ball. It’s going to be so much fun. I just wish Penelope was here to go with us.”
“I know little one, I do too. But let’s get over to the inn to help Grandma and Pop in case there’s some last-minute stuff that needs to be finished before everyone arrives,” I say, ruffling her hair.
“Dad, don't touch the hair, it’s perfect,” she tells me as I laugh.
“Sorry, sweetheart. I wasn’t thinking.”
She runs out of the bedroom, and I take another second to look at myself in the mirror. With a black tux on and gel in my hair, I look pretty good.
“Dad! Come on!” Nora yells from the other room.
As I walk down the hall and into the living room, I hear her humming “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” under her breath and twirling as she puts her coat on.
