“Daddy, she looks like the night sky! With all the stars!”
Ronan stands slowly, his expression making my heart stutter. “That’s the one.”
“Are you sure? It’s probably?—”
“Perfect,” he finishes, coming closer. His fingers brush my bare shoulder. “We’ll take it.”
While Evelyn arranges for alterations—miraculously to be done in hours—I excuse myself. “I need to make a quick call.”
Ronan nods, distracted by Ryan who’s now asking about visiting Santa. I slip outside, the cold December air bracing after the warmth of the boutique.
My mom answers on the second ring. “Rayne? Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine, Mom.” I turn away from the window so Ronan can’t see my face. “How are you feeling today?”
“Better than yesterday.” Her voice is stronger than it’s been in weeks. “The new medication helps with the pain.”
Relief washes through me. “Good. That's good.”
“What about you? How’s your ... weekend job?”
I hear the concern, the subtle disapproval she can’t quite hide. She doesn’t know the details, just that I’m “accompanying” awealthy man for the weekend. It sounds sordid, even though it’s been anything but.
“It’s almost over. Just one more day.” I swallow past the hard lump in my throat. “Hang tight, Mom. I’ll have money for your treatments tomorrow. I love you.”
“I love you too, sweetheart. But please be careful. Men like that?—”
“He’s not what you think,” I say softly. “He’s ... different.”
There’s a pause. “You sound like you’re getting attached.”
Am I that transparent? Maybe because I’ve always been a bad liar. “This is about your health, not my love life.”
“Rayne—”
“I have to go. I’ll come visit as soon as I can.” I end the call before she can hear the emotion in my voice.
When I return inside, Ryan runs to me, taking my hand. “Rayne! Daddy says we can see Santa after lunch!”
I paste on a smile, pushing my worry aside. “That sounds perfect.”
By early evening, the sky has darkened to indigo, and we drive through neighborhoods glittering with Christmas lights. Ryan presses his face to the window, gasping at each new display.
“Look! That house has a dinosaur wearing a Santa hat!”
“Clearly the height of Christmas sophistication and creativity,” Ronan says dryly, but his eyes crinkle with affection in the rearview mirror.
“What’s so ... soff ... that word?” Ryan asks.
“Sophisticated,” I say. “It means fancy.”
“Like Daddy’s work parties?”
“Exactly like that,” I say, turning to smile at him. “Are you excited to see your grandma tonight?”
He lifts his small shoulders. “I guess. But I wanted to stay with you and Daddy.”
My heart cracks a little. “Your grandma and grandpa miss you. And we’ll see you again soon.” It’s a lie, but I can’t bear to tell him the truth—that after tonight, I’ll probably never see him again.
