Bailey has changed into black jeans and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. I’ve never seen him wear anything but a Christmas jumper or hoodie, so I’m thrown by how hot he looks. He laughs at something Andrea says, and jealousy slices through me like a sharp steak knife. My cool, calm demeanour evaporates, and I slink back to the kitchen before he can see me.
I lean against the stone wall by the Aga, feeling the cool surface under my fingertips.Think calming thoughts.They’re just my colleagues.But it doesn’t work. I can’t act impassive. He’s gotten under my skin to the point I can’t imagine not having him in my life. But I’m afraid I’m not good enough for him, that Andrea is a better match. Perhaps it’s better to call it quits before I get hurt.
Bailey swings through the door, and I quickly swipe at my eyes. ‘There you are. Are you OK? I sent Kirk out to find you.’
I paste on a smile. ‘Yes, thanks for the hat, and the scone was delicious.’
He comes closer, looking a bit wary, as if I’m going to bite him. When I don’t, he kisses me gently on the lips. His breath is rum-laced from the Christmas cake. He cuddles up against me and whispers in my ear, ‘I missed you.’ My heart melts like a marshmallow on a hot fire. I snake my arms around his warm body, unable to resist him. He’s so adorable.
‘Come and play Pictionary with us.’
‘I don’t know. What about Moira and Lewis? It’ll just be awkward.’
‘Everybody knows Moira posted the TikTok,’ he says, nuzzling my earlobe. ‘She’s in the doghouse. Besides, I made Lewis delete it right after you left, so don’t worry. Hollygate is over.’
A huge weight lifts off my shoulders, and I feel as light as a feather.
‘Ever think about being a project manager?’ I say.
In reply, Bailey smiles and gives me a deeper kiss that restores my faith.Maybe, just maybe, I can do this.
Chapter 21
Andrea gawps when I walk in with Bailey holding hands, and I know I’m going to have to talk to her first and explain everything.
‘Do you mind if I talk to Andrea before we play?’
‘Sure. How long do you need?’
‘Maybe twenty?’
‘OK.’ He squeezes my hand.
Andrea nods when I ask her if I can talk to her. ‘Let’s go up to my room.’
Herroomturns out to be a small makeshift library at the top of the house. This must be the special nook Sarah was talking about.
‘This is cool,’ I say, looking at the bookshelf that’s been built into the eaves. It’s filled with a multitude of paperbacks. There’s a red beanbag, a white fluffy rug, and a mullioned window that looks out onto the snow-covered backyard with the tree house.
‘Not quite what I was expecting in the way of sleeping arrangements,’ Andrea says, nodding at a mattress placed on the floor with a sleeping bag and pillow.
I’m not sure I want to know what she was expecting.
‘Where have they put you?’ she asks.
Eek, awkward. But I can’t exactly lie. ‘I’m in with Bailey.’
Andrea’s shoulders visibly slump, and I feel awful for her.
‘I’m sorry, I know this is really weird that I’m here.’
She takes a deep breath. ‘Maybe you should explain.’
I plop down into the beanbag while she sits on the mattress with her knees drawn up to her chest.
‘There’s not that much to tell really. I was on my way to Inverness, and the train got cancelled at Kingussie. I thought I was going to have to spend the night in the station, but Bailey happened to be there too. He convinced me to stay the night here instead, but er ... One thing led to another, and I ended up staying for Christmas. It was kind of nice actually—until Kirk played my anti-Christmas TikTok to the kids, and they freaked out.’
‘Oh no! Why did he do that?’
