“Now he’s openly chasing you.”He snorts again, annoyed.
“Fenella!I know you’re inside!I brought a Christmas gift!”Alan’s voice echoes from outside.“Mrs.Baxter?Anybody home?”
My mouth falls open, my eyes widen.“How dare he shout like that?”I hiss under my breath.
“I can’t believe it,” Laird mutters, shaking his head.
“What should we do?”I frown, trying to decide whether to let him in or not.
“Just like you said.Let’s pretend we’re not home and hide.”He pulls me back to the bed by the waist, lying down beside me.“Good thing you turned off the lights earlier.”
“But—”
“No buts.Remember, he can’t know we’ve made up.”His whisper sounds firm against the dark.
“Yeah, maybe you’re right.”I nod and follow his lead.
Outside, Alan keeps trying to get my attention, calling my name over and over.My phone vibrates against my arm.He sends a few more messages, but I ignore them all.
I settle next to Laird, wrapped in his arms, his forearm under my head like a pillow.We lie still, our breath slowing, listening until everything goes quiet.No more footsteps, no more calls.My phone stops buzzing—a sign Alan’s finally given up for the night.
Somewhere deep inside, guilt tugs at me again.While I’m falling asleep in the warmth of the man I love, he’s out there alone, fighting the cold.From the corner of my eye, light slips through the curtain, brushing the wall.Snow drifts down outside, slow and soft.
* * *
I wake up early.Laird’s still fast asleep beside me, but I can’t keep my eyes shut any longer.I reach for my sweater and long pajama pants.Getting out of bed, I peek through the window.The cold air has left a misty trace on the glass, wet from last night’s snowfall.
I glance at the street below.The road looks damp, sprinkled with small piles of snow, but not thick enough to make a snowman.I don’t even know why I looked out there.Surely I’m not searching for Alan, am I?
Drawn by a delicious aroma, I head downstairs.“Hey, Mom.”
She looks up as she pulls a casserole out of the oven.“Hey, dear.”
“When did you even have time to make that?”I nod toward the dish.
“It’s nothing.Took less than an hour to get everything done.”
“Weren’t you home late last night?Did you even get any sleep?”I frown.
“Don’t worry.I’m used to sleeping just a few hours.I’ll nap later.”She chuckles while I stare at her, still processing that.
She’s used to sleeping just a few hours?Is something wrong with her?The realization hits me that I know nothing about her health.I gulp down my guilt and promise myself in silence that I’ll be a better daughter from now on.
“Is that vegetarian?”Later.She’ll never tell until the time is right.
“No, men need protein.I’ll make a vegetarian quiche for you instead.”She places the casserole on a pretty ceramic plate and sets it on the table.
I clear my throat, awkward.“So that casserole’s for Laird?”
“Yes, and also for Lloyd and Mr.Evans.”She cuts the casserole neatly and divides it into another dish.
“Do you always share Christmas food with the neighbors?”I sit at the dining table, running my fingers through my hair.
“Not always.This year’s special.I’m only cooking for the Evans family.”
My hand slows in my hair as I ask another question.“Why?”
“Because you’re officially dating their son.I need to build a better relationship with Lloyd and Mr.Evans so they’ll accept you with open arms later.”
