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He shook his head. “We’ll be gone for at least a week. Maybe more.”
I sucked in a sharp breath. “I can’t just leave for a week or two, Jareth. My grandmother?—”
“Jess and Alden will look out for her while you’re gone and give us updates. I also hired one-to-one care for her through a reputable agency.” An agency that I was sure cost an arm and a leg. Not that it mattered.
“But Christmas is in three days. I’m supposed to spend Christmas Eve with my friends. Christmas with my grandmother.” This couldn’t be happening. He knew how much I loved the holiday. Why would he do this to me?
“Your friend, Niki, will be informing them that you are unable to make it. She also agreed to take care of your grandmother on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.”
My heart beat an unsteady rhythm along with my eyelashes as I tried not to cry. “But Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday,” I finally whispered.
I loved spending time with my family and friends, opening gifts together, reminiscing about the year, and discussing plans for the new year. And now, because of Jareth, I was going to miss all of that.
A pained expression crossed Jareth’s face before he hid it behind a mask of stoicism. “You can celebrate with them when we get back.”
“You don’t get it,” I muttered and looked out the window.
We’d pulled into the part of the airport for private planes. He’d never understand what he’d taken from me today. And right now I hated him for it. Lacey would never understand and neither would Gran. We’d never missed a holiday since I moved in with her.
Another thought hit me. Lacey set up the blind date for me tonight. She was afraid that if we left too much time in between, I’d back out. I needed to make sure she canceled with him. I groaned. “Not only am I missing Christmas, but I had a date tonight.”
Jareth’s eyes flashed fire. “It’s been canceled.”
My eyebrows drew together. “How did you even know I had a date? I need to call Lacey, and tell her I need to reschedule.”
“I’ve already informed your date that if he comes anywhere near you, I will destroy him,” Jareth growled.
“Wait, what did you do?” He had clearly ignored my question about how he knew about my date.
My mouth opened and closed, not able to find words to address his high-handedness. A weird volley of emotions raced through me. Relief that I didn’t have to go on a date I wasn’t ready for. Then guilt because I should be and Lacey had gone to all the trouble to set it up. Then the anger built up, starting in my stomach and racing up through my chest.
How dare he?
His spine straightened. “I told him you were unavailable for the foreseeable future,” he said with absolutely no remorse.
“You. Can’t. Do. That.” My hands sliced through the air as my outrage forced the words out crisp, steady, and staccato-like. I couldn’t believe the audacity of Jareth.
“I can, and I did.” He got out of the car.
“You don’t own me Jareth. You can’t just make these decisions without my input,” I was practically screeching, I’d gotten so worked up.
My gaze helplessly went from Elias back to the door that stood wide open. Jareth leaned in and held out a hand for me to take.
I ignored it.
“Hazel,” he sighed, letting his hand drop.
I shook my head. We didn’t need to talk. Actually, I didn’t need to speak to him right now. I was still stunned at his revelation. First Christmas, and now a date I’d finally worked up the courage to accept?
“We need to go to Bali.”
I stared straight ahead. There wasn’t any way he could force me out of the car. I’d scream bloody murder.
He ran a hand through his hair. “Terri reached out to me this morning. There’s a lead I need to follow about my dad.”
The rage still sizzling in my gut died down the slightest bit. How could I say no to that?
I got out of the car and faced him. “I’m still furious with you about railroading me. If you’d just explained… ”
