“Sorry…” they mumbled in harmony, holding each other’s gaze for the first time since he’d arrived.
She wanted to say something. She just couldn’t. How could she even begin?
Penny didn’t want to have to dredge up the past, to explain her behaviour that day – about Tim.
Thankfully she didn’t have to.
Mike’s eyes twinkled in the sparkling white lights of the tree. He smiled, making the dimples in his cheeks appear. “I …uh… I wanted to apologise for last night. I was a bit of a jerk,” he said, kneeling to retrieve the ball she’d let slip from her hand.
Thankfully the soft carpet underfoot had prevented it shattering.
“No, I was being stupid. I’m the one who should apologise –”
“No, I should.” Mike’s voice lowered. “I didn’t know about …” he faltered for the right words. “I didn’t know about your loss.”
Penny’s eyes grew wide. She glanced over Mike’s shoulder to where Kate and Ian were quietly discussing where to hang an ornament.
When her gaze returned to Mike’s, she found his hadn’t moved.
“Don’t be mad. Ian told me earlier. He thought I’d understand.”
“How could you understand?” Penny’s voice echoed the loneliness of the statement.
“Because I do. And I just want to say I’m sorry. For yesterday, and for three years ago.”
He handed her an ornament, but said nothing more.
On the other side of the tree, Kate sneezed.
