“Because of Sebastien?”
“Yeah.”
I can’t afford it, either.
“Okay, what about Christmas?” he asked. “Got any holiday plans?”
“I’ll be home.”
His eyes widened. “You’re staying here?”
“Home as in Winnipeg,” she said. “I go every year.”
“Every year?” He raked a hand through his hair. “I don’t think I’ve been home for the holidays in, like, twenty years.”
She blinked. That might’ve been the craziest thing she’d ever heard.
“It’s cold there,” he added, giving an exaggerated shiver.
She shrugged. “I’ll be indoors.”
“That’s a lot of family time.”
“It’s never enough.” Her eyes welled with tears. “I miss them so much.”
Damn it. She hadn’t meant to cry, but the ache was too deep to hide. Her family meant everything, and he just didn’t get it.
He gently squeezed her shoulder. “Sorry. I’m really screwing up here.”
“It’s okay.” She wiped at her eyes. “Do your parents go away at Christmas?”
“My folks? No. They’ll be in Brandon. They might visit my aunt. I don’t know exactly.”
“She lives in Winnipeg, right?”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “Charleswood.”
She blinked. “What about your birthday?”
Me and my big mouth.
Cary smiled. “Well, it sucks when your birthday is the day after Christmas.” He gave Rory a piece of toast. “I don’t even bother with it.”
Thank god.When did it turn into a birthday week, anyway? Or a birthday month for some people, like fucking Tommy Napolitano.
“It would mean a lot to your parents if you came home.” She held his gaze. “They won’t be here forever, you know.”
“They are looking older,” Cary admitted. “I noticed it in Winnipeg.” He clasped his hands on the counter. “I’ll consider it.”
After they finished eating, Tyler cleared their plates. She hated messes—especially dirty dishes. But if there was one thing worse, it was dirty bathrooms. Specifically, the skid marks Dave used to leave in her toilet.
“You don’t have to do that,” Cary said, holding her arm mid-clear. “I’ll do it later.”
She twisted her mouth, debating whether to share her pet peeve. “It’s kind of my thing. I like cleaning.”
His brows lifted. “Really?”
She shrugged. “Yeah.”
