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“I’ll be back.” I take the phone from Henley’s outstretched hand and kiss Ava on the head as I walk past, smiling again when she swoons over her new Cinderella dress. It’s only been two weeks since her moment with Beckett, and she’s officially become a girl obsessed with princesses. This is dress number two. My mom bought her one the day after the wedding.

She still loves to go outside and get dirty. She just does it in style now.

After closing the door of the back office, I blow out a breath and make myself comfortable before I call Travis back. Since we spoke yesterday, I have a feeling I’m not going to like whatever he has to say.

“Oh, good. You called back.”

“I did. What’s up?”

“I want Ava to stay with me for Christmas. I can fly back with her early Wednesday morning as I have a meeting in New Orleans. She mentioned we’d never spent Christmas together and she’s right. Seems only fair.”

A wave of nausea rolls through me as I stare at the wall, my hand frozen with the phone hovering near my ear. He wants Ava for Christmas?

“Are you there?” Travis asks, somewhat impatiently. “Lils?”

“Yeah. I’m here.”

“So, what do you think? It’s my weekend leading up to it anyway, so I could either keep her for the extra two days, or she could come here Sunday instead of Friday night if you have any Christmas things planned.”

If I what? “It’s two weeks before Christmas, Travis. Of course I have Christmas things planned. I’ve also got plans for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.”

“This works well then. You can go along with your plans without having to worry about Ava.”

I scoff as my eyes flare open, and I wish he could see the disbelief written all over my face. “My plans are with Ava, Travis. She’s always in my plans. If she’s with you, she’ll miss out.”

“On what?”

“What?”

“What is she going to miss out on? I’ll make sure we do it. And don’t worry, I’ve arranged for someone to fill a Santa sack with more toys than she’ll ever need. It’ll be like all her Christmases have come at once.”

Jesus Christ. “Please don’t do that.”

“Why? She’ll love it.”

“That’s not the point. She gets the same value of presents every year, and if you change that, it’ll⁠—”

“Ahh. I get it. You can’t afford to match me. Of course. That wouldn’t look so good.”

“Are you serious right now?” I can’t hide my sigh as I fall into the back rest of my chair and sink my head into my hands. “This isn’t about money. It’s about making sure everything stays consistent to keep the magic alive.”

“Come on, Lil. It’s a little about money.”

My lips thin and when I glance up, my reflection in the window looks very similar to the one Henley gave me when Travis first called.

“Give her what you want, Trav. But please make it from you.”

“If she can stay for Christmas, Lils, I’ll follow any rule you give me. I’ll have my pen and paper ready.”

The word no catches in my throat, and I’m lucky it did. No matter how desperately I want to say it, I can’t. They’ve never had Christmas together. Or any other holiday for that matter.

“Shit.” Travis curses under his breath. “I have to go. Yes or no?”

“Fine. But I’m taking your weekend.”

“Deal. Thanks, Lily. You’ve made my day.” The genuine smile in his voice should ease my mind, but instead, it adds to my sadness. I may be doing the right thing for Travis and Ava. Doesn’t mean I have to be all warm and fuzzy about it.

I stare at the phone long after he’s hung up, conjuring up the happiness I felt before our conversation. And by the time I join the celebrations again, I have a smile locked in place and a lie formed and ready to go. But of course, Henley sees right through me.