“What in the hell are you talking about? She is going to be here for a few days, and then she’ll be gone.” Saying it out loud was even more frustrating than the conversation itself. We had a great time chatting and everything was fine until I asked her about Christmas. Then it hit me, something about Christmas upset her. Why didn’t I think of it before? My expression must have changed when I realized her problem was Christmas, not me, because Gabe began to grin.
“You figured it out?”
“Something happened to her that made her not like Christmas, didn’t it?” I asked.
“Now you’re paying attention.” He nodded.
“But she was fine talking about all the things she was doing for the holidays here. So, what was it?” I asked.
“That is for her to tell you. And she will. In time. Be patient. Be persistent. It’s not for nothing.”
“How do you know that, Gabe?” Then before he could answer, I replied. “Let me guess. You know some things?”
He grinned and bundled his coat against his belly. “You’re listening. Keep doing that.” With not another word, he walked off, leaving me once again standing there with my thoughts.
Well, if she needed Christmas to be awesome, I was the guy for the job. Christmas was my thing, and I’d make this the best Christmas since whatever had happened to her.
Chapter Nine
Samantha
I hustled out of the diner like my hair was on fire, probably making a spectacle of myself. While I knew that Jason had no idea that I didn’t want to reminisce about the holidays growing up, I didn’t want to explain it either. Up until that moment, it had been amazing. We chatted about all kinds of things. He asked about the books I had read. He’d even heard of some of the authors that I edit. I love a man that reads.
There were no awkward moments, and I didn’t even stumble over my words like I usually do. Although I didn’t typically find myself having coffee with terrific-looking men all that often. I was actually done with my errands that day, contrary to what I told him, and when I left, I power-walked to the car where I banged my head on the steering wheel repeatedly.
It wouldn’t ever go anywhere. It couldn’t. We live a thousand miles away in what may as well be a different planet. But that didn’t mean that I shouldn’t be nice or even enjoy the flirtation. He was such a nice guy. I felt like a total fool.
I headed home to my sister’s house, where she was waiting for my return. When I sighed audibly, she put down her glass of wine. “What happened?”
“So, I ran into the handsome stranger again,” I said.
“And?” she asked excitedly.
“And his name is Jason Hayes. Apparently his daughter is friends with the girls?”
“Oh yes! How did I not figure that out?” She exclaimed. “He’s so handsome, Sam. And such a good dad. All the moms have a crush on him.” She laughed. “So, tell me what happened!”
I rolled my eyes dramatically before telling her about the afternoon. “So, yeah. I bolted.”
“Oh, Sam, come on. Why would you do that?”
“I don’t know!” I replied, flustered. “He asked me what my favorite Christmas memories were, and I froze. Look, you know how I feel about this topic.”
“Sam, I’m so disappointed,” she said. It felt like a knife in my stomach.
“You’re disappointed? What is that supposed to mean?” She’s my sister, and not having my back was devastating.
She placed both of her hands down on the counter as if she were trying to calm down. “Sam, I love you. You know that I do. But give me a break. This whole ‘I hate Christmas because my parents are dead’ routine is getting old.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“No, Sam, I’m not kidding. I’m not saying that you can’t wish they were here—hell, I wish they were here—but they’re not. And you being some kind of Christmas phobic to everyone is just …”
“It’s just what?” I interjected.
“It’s childish, Samantha. You don’t have to forget about them, but you do have to move on for crying out loud. Make some new memories. The holidays are supposed to be about sharing and giving and loving. All you’re doing is making yourself miserable, and frankly, making the people who love you miserable.”
She ran her hands through her hair and continued. “You need to get it together, Sam. I love you. I love you so much. But honestly, you have to move on. At this point, it’s become a choice. You’re not a little girl anymore. You have the ability to cherish their memories and move forward, it’s up to you.”
