Page 134

She blinks. “No…”

“Then we need to go out.” I smile at her.

“Don’t you need to make some calls?” she asks.

“No,” I say firmly.

“Or check in with your family?”

“Absolutely not.”

She shifts her feet. “Or your PR people?”

I reach for her hand.

“Georgia, I want to spend Christmas Day with you. I want you to show me the sights, for us to eat a good meal, and for me to demonstrate that I’m not the arsehole you think I am. If you think you can do that.”

“I don’t think you’re an asshole.”

“You should. I earned that opinion.” I kiss the palm of her hand without thinking. “God, sorry.”

A soft exhale escapes her lips. Her cheeks pink up as we stare at each other.

“You’re right,” she says a little breathlessly. “We should definitely go out. I’ll get my coat.”

28

GEORGIA

We’re barely out of my apartment building when my phone starts to buzz.

There are messages from friends and family wishing me a Merry Christmas. I type quick replies as we walk, sending good wishes back.

“You’re very popular,” Theo says, amused, when it buzzes for what feels like the eighty-fourth time.

“Well it is Christmas,” I point out. “Don’t you want to check your messages?” It’s afternoon in the UK, after all. His friends and family have all been awake for a while. And, let’s face it, there’s a lot going on over there. Including his dad in jail.

He shrugs. “Nope. I turned my phone off.”

“You did?” I glance over at him. “Why? Did your phone die? I have a portable charger in the apartment.”

“I turned it off deliberately. If I check it, someone will ask me to solve a problem. And I’m trying very hard not to solve anyone’s problems today.” He gives me the softest smile that turns my stomach into melted chocolate.

My phone buzzes again. And again.

I laugh under my breath as I slip it back into my pocket. “Maybe I should do the same.”

“Or maybe you’re just better at dealing with everybody’s expectations than I am.”

We end up taking an Uber to Fifth Avenue. When we step out, the sidewalk is uncharacteristically empty. Ahead, the lights of the Rockefeller tree glow faintly against the pale winter sky.

Theo walks beside me, a smile pulling at his lips. “Well that’s bigger in real life than I thought.”

“You’ve never seen the Rockefeller tree in real life before?”

He shakes his head. “No. I’ve been to New York before, but not at this time of year.”

I smile slightly. “Then we’re fixing that.”