She nodded, rising with him.He left money on the table, and then they stepped outside, shivering as the frigid wind hit them, sharp and cold.It wasn’t until Rhys opened the passenger door of the car for her that she realized how much she wanted to stay—and how impossible that would be.
*
Catriona sat cross-leggedon the bed, her laptop open beside her, her half-packed suitcase open on the floor.The computer screen’s glow lit the room.She’d checked her email twice in the last hour, though she already knew there were no new messages.Who would be emailing her about jobs on Boxing Day?
Cat closed the laptop and reached for her phone instead, scrolling through her favorites until she found Sarah.Her thumbs hesitated over the screen before she finally typed,I’ll probably head back to London tomorrow.She hesitated, then added,The girls went to the Caribbean with their mum.I think I’m done here.
It took less than a minute for Sarah’s reply to come through.Oh no!What happened?Are you okay??
Catriona stared at the screen, a lump forming in her throat.She typed, erased, then typed again.I’m fine.Just wasn’t expecting it to end so abruptly.
Another bubble appeared almost immediately.I’m not in London at the minute—flew home to Ireland for the week.Mum insisted.You could come over if you wanted!Plenty of room, and a few cute lads about if you’ve a fondness for farmers.
Cat smiled faintly, her chest tightening.That’s so kind, but I’ll be okay.I think I just need a quiet day to reset.
Sarah responded almost immediately.Promise?And text when you’re back, yeah?
Promise.Xo
Cat set the phone aside and drew her knees up, resting her chin against them.Tomorrow she’d finish packing, and go back to London, and figure out what came next.
It would be okay.It always was.
*
The cottage wasquiet when Rhys climbed the stairs.He paused outside Catriona’s room, faint light spilling through the crack in the door.He could hear her moving around.
He hesitated a moment, then knocked lightly against the frame.“Cat?”
The sounds stopped.After a heartbeat, she called, “Come in.”
He opened the door but stopped in the threshold.Her big suitcase lay open on the floor, half full, sweaters folded neatly, books stacked to one side, her laptop charger coiled beside a pair of worn jeans, while she sat cross-legged on the bed holding a scarf.
Something in his chest tightened.He wasn’t sure what he’d expected—perhaps that she’d stay until the New Year, or that the cottage would somehow feel unchanged.But the sight of her packing hit harder than he could explain.
He drew a breath.“What are your plans?”
She smoothed the scarf.“I’ll head back to London tomorrow.”
“You’ll see your roommate?”
“Sarah, although, not right away.She’s in Ireland with her family for New Year’s.”
He leaned a shoulder against the doorframe.“But you’ll see her before you head back to Michigan?”
“That’s the plan.”
He nodded but nothing felt right.There was too much space between them.“Good,” he said finally, his voice rougher than he intended.“That’ll be… good for you.”
“I think so.”
He wanted to say something else, something that would make all of this less formal, less final, but the words wouldn’t come.
He glanced at the suitcase again.“I’ll take you to the station in the morning—”
“I can manage.”
“I will do it.Just let me know the time.”He stepped back, the old wood of the floor creaking beneath his weight.“Goodnight, Cat.”
