by Jade Winters
A Christmas Kiss
by
Jade Winters
A Christmas Kiss
by Jade Winters
Published by Wicked Winters Books
Copyright © 2016 Jade Winters
www.jade-winters.com
All rights reserved. This short story or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author.
All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
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Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
DUE FOR RELEASE IN 2017
BOOK LIST
About The Author
Chapter One
‘Do you think I’m unlovable?’
Emma diverted her gaze from the painting on which she was focused to the woman stood next to her and asked, more in astonishment than interest, ‘Heidi, why would you say something like that?’
Heidi ignored her question and pressed on with her self-image assassination. ‘Ugly?’
Fatigue washed over Emma as her gaze returned to the painting of a distorted face. ‘No, you’re not ugly.’
Tall and slim with sculptured features and short black dyed hair, Heidi was far from ugly, she was the epitome of grace and beauty as far as Emma was concerned.
‘Okay. Would you say I have a shit personality then?’ Heidi asked a few seconds later.
Emma’s eyes narrowed as she processed the question. Heidi’s personality traits were the last thing on her mind. Right now, she wanted to concentrate on the task at hand, not engage in small talk. The art gallery she owned was showcasing Asia Clemens, a local artist, in two days and she still had a million and one things to finalise. One of them was making sure the theme of Asia’s ‘Stages of love’ collection was displayed in the right order.
‘Don’t be silly. You’re one of the nicest people I know. And before you ask, no, I’m not saying that because you’re my cousin.’
Heidi inhaled sharply, as if she’d suddenly run out of oxygen. ‘If that’s the case, why the hell can’t I get a sodding date. Jesus, this is my third Christmas being single. I’m seriously starting to think I’m either damaged goods or the gods have got it in for me.’
Emma looked at Heidi and said calmly, ‘Maybe it’s neither. Have you thought the reason you’re still single might have something to do with the fact you’re just plain fussy?’
Heidi shoved her iPhone into Emma’s view. The website ‘Say Goodbye To Being Single’ was filled with happy couples staring smugly into the camera lens. Emma could just about make out the ‘you have zero messages’ box.
‘Moi. Fussy?’ Heidi feigned innocence. ‘I think you’re forgetting I dated Rob the slob for six months. Remember that prized prick?’
Emma frowned as her thoughts fell on a man from Heidi’s past. ‘I doubt anyone would forget Rob. You never stopped yapping on about how he pissed all over the floor and toilet seat, left his …’ She cleared her throat, ‘tissues all over the place—’
‘Yuck.’ Heidi’s shoulders slumped. ‘Don’t remind me of that. At least it proves my point.’
‘Okay, I stand corrected,’ Emma said moving onto the next painting. ‘You aren’t fussy in the slightest.’
‘But you on the other hand.’ Heidi let out a long low whistle. ‘I just don’t get. It’s as if you like being alone. I’m really surprised you haven’t got a houseful of cats if I’m honest.’
Emma could never quite understand Heidi’s fixation on her love life. Heidi was determined to find her a partner. It didn’t seem to matter who, as long as the intended woman had a pulse. Thankfully, Emma had enough common sense not to fall into the wrong type of relationship. Besides, being single had its advantages. You couldn’t fall in love and get hurt. There was no jealousy or possessiveness on either side. And best of all, there were no broken hearts. It was a win-win situation as far as she was concerned.
‘Please let’s not go over that old chestnut again. I’m not fussy. I’m just not desperate enough to fall to my knees for the first woman who shows me any interest.’
‘See, that’s where we’re different. I ain’t got no shame. I’d happily admit to being desperate if it meant waking up next to a man for once.’
‘Now I know you’re talking nonsense. If that were the case, you’d have stayed with Rob. You won’t admit it, but I know you’re holding out for the right one. Trust me, there’s nothing wrong with that.’
The silence between them built for a few seconds, then Heidi said, almost as an afterthought. ‘Can we make a pact? If we’re still spinsters in twenty years can we get married? Cousins are allowed to do that, aren’t they?’ She spoke quickly without taking a breath. ‘Just imagine, no more spending Christmases alone. We could have cute Kodak moments, opening our gifts by a massive Christmas tree. We could even throw in a couple of kids, I’ll carry them—’
‘I hate to disappoint you but if that’s my future, I’m going to move heaven and earth to make sure you’ve hooked up with someone by then.’
‘Charming. Rub more salt in my wounds why don’t ya.’
‘You’re not gay, Heidi, any more than I’m straight.’
‘I could be, with you anyway. You’re one of those lipstick lesbians.’
Emma’s shudder was visible. She hated that term. The look on Emma’s face must have spoken volumes because Heidi quickly changed the subject.
‘So what you doing for Christmas. Anything planned?’
‘Nope.’ Emma took a step back to appraise the artwork. A painting of a woman with intense green eyes was her favourite out of the whole collection. There was something about it that drew her in and caused shivers down her spine.
‘Aren’t you seeing your dad?’
Emma shook her head. ‘I’m spending Christmas day eating Chinese in my PJs and catching up on a whole season of Vampire Diaries on Netflix.’
She’d already called her father to wish him a happy Christmas. His response had been what she expected of late. There were none of the questions a ‘normal’ father would ask. Wes hadn’t mentioned spending Christmas together. He wasn’t the typical father who yearned for his eldest daughter to visit him at such an emotional time of year. He’d been blunt and straightforward with her. ‘Emma, you’re an adult now. I have a new wife and kids that need me. I’ve done my best by you. It’s time for you to move on a get a life of your own.’
Then the connection cut off.
Emma had to admit she’d been stunned by his heartlessness. This would be her first Christmas without her mother and even if it was forced, her dad could have afforded her some empathy and compassion. But no. Since her mum had died, her father was like a stranger to her.
Truth be told, he had started pulling away when he met his present wife while her mother lay dying in her hospice bed eleven months previously.
It only got worse when he married and his wife became pregnant straight away. Since the twin boys were born, Wes had his new family unit and she was no longer a part of it.
Emma pushed her thoughts aside and tuned into what Heidi was saying.
‘Christmas is overrated anyway. Everyone’s competing, trying to “make memories” for the world to see on Facebook, when behind the scenes their lives are falling apart. That’s why I volunteer at the homeless shelter. Best thing I’ve ever done.’
Emma’s heart spiked as she remembered something. ‘Crap, I
forgot I promised I’d meet up with an old friend Christmas Eve.’
Heidi was watching Emma with an amused expression. ‘Why did you do that?’
Emma made notes on the pad she held in her hand. ‘Because at the time it seemed like a great idea. She asked me months ago. Anyway, I thought by the time Christmas came round I’d be feeling … Christmassy.’
‘And you’re not?’
Emma glanced around the sparsely decorated space with barely a hint of the Christmas season. A small Christmas tree, with a few strands of silver tinsel and a dozen warm white lights, sat on a narrow column in one corner of the room. Mistletoe, Heidi insisted on hanging, dangled in the air a few inches away.
‘What do you think?’
‘So what’re you going to do?’
‘Cancel her. Besides I wouldn’t have time to meet for a quick drink even if I wanted to. I have to be here to host the exhibition and—’
‘No,’ Heidi blurted out. ‘What I mean is, I could do it.’
Emma frowned. ‘You?’
‘Yes, me. I’ve been working with you and your mum since I was eighteen. Isn’t it about time you loosened the reins a little bit.’
Emma headed back to her office, Heidi trailing behind. ‘I just don’t think you’re ready yet.’
‘You’ve been saying that forever. Come on, Em, give me a break. You keep asking what I want for Christmas. Well I want this. To host this exhibition.’
Emma placed her writing pad on the desk, dropped into her seat, and leant back until it creaked in protest. Pursing her lips, she seriously considered the proposal. Heidi was right of course, but relinquishing control wasn’t something that came easily to Emma. Could she do it, just this once? The expression on Heidi’s face told her she knew Emma was going to give in—however grudgingly—so she kept her response matter-of-fact. ‘Okay you win. You’re in charge for the night.’
‘Yes!’ Heidi gave a triumphant laugh and punched the air with her fist. ‘I promise you won’t regret it. Oh my God, I’ve got to post this on Facebook.’
Emma kneaded the knots in her neck and let out a small sigh when the tension eased. She would call Lily. Not to cancel but to invite her to the exhibition instead. She glanced up at Heidi tapping her finger on her phone. She would hand over the reins for the night. But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t be there to keep an eye on things.
Just in case.
Chapter Two
‘An art gallery … on Christmas Eve? I can’t think of anything worse.’ Zara used her toe to flip the water tap on. A ripple of hot heat snaked its way through the now lukewarm water, engulfing her goose pimpled body like a cocoon. She’d been enjoying herself up until that moment—chilling in her bathroom filled with the scent of lavender and Jill Scott’s smooth tunes playing in the background. But Lily’s phone call had soon put a stop to that.
‘Oh come on, it’s not that bad. There’ll be lots of free booze—’
‘And boring, pretentious people talking about art.’
Due to the lack of excitement and romance in her life, she’d been looking forward to letting off some steam at a gay bar surrounded by gorgeous, sexy women. But if Lily had her way, Zara would spend the evening pretending to be interested in some god-awful paintings. You only had to look around Zara’s contemporary home to know that she hadn’t inherited her sister’s love of art—there wasn’t a painting or picture to be seen.
‘Emma’s not pretentious. She’s really cool.’
‘I believe you,’ Zara said, not at all convinced. Lily had talked about Emma before and the one word Zara would not use to describe her was cool. She sounded like a workaholic with an aversion to happiness.
‘Look, we’ll only stay for a couple of hours. I can’t blow her out. I asked her to have drinks ages ago.’
‘I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you just go by yourself and catch up,’ Zara encouraged. ‘Seems like you two haven’t had a proper chin wag for months.’
Zara waited, hoping Lily would see some sense in her argument. That way she could get out of going with a clear conscience.
‘Do you think I’m stupid?’ There was amusement in her voice.
‘What—’
‘You’re not getting away with it, Zara. If I don’t nab you now, God knows when I’ll see you over Christmas.’
‘You say that like it’s my fault.’
‘I’m not blaming you,’ Lily corrected. ‘You do know that don’t you?’
‘Why do I hear a but coming up?’
‘I just want things to be normal again. I hate all this division. Especially at Christmas.’
‘How do you think I feel? It’s not much fun for me listening to my friends talk about how wonderful their family is. If I could change the way I feel I’d do it in a heartbeat, but I can’t. I’m not going to let her hurt me again.’
‘I know. I just miss you so much.’
‘I miss you too, Sis.’
‘If that’s the case you’ll come to the gallery then?’
A Mona Lisa smile creased Zara’s face. Lily knew how to get her own way, even if she had to throw a little emotional blackmail into the mix. ‘What the hell, okay, but I swear, the minute I start tearing my hair out from boredom we’re out of there.’
There was triumph in Lily’s voice. ‘You’ve got yourself a deal.’
Zara heard the doorbell ring the moment she disconnected the call with Lily. Stepping out of the bath, she wrapped a towel around herself and walked barefoot to the door. She glanced through the peep hole and immediately stepped back and opened the door.
‘Jules, how’d you know I was back in town,’ Zara asked her lifelong friend. ‘I only got back from my trip an hour ago.’
Jules placed a chaste brush of her lips on Zara’s cheek and walked past her. ‘I always know when you’re in town. Believe it or not the atmosphere changes.’
‘Funny.’ Zara closed the door with her foot and followed Jules into the kitchen.
‘What’s up? You look rattled.’
‘Rattled?’ Jules dropped into a seat at the dining table. ‘Rattled is an understatement. You are never going to believe what I found on Leigh’s phone. I printed them out so I’d have physical proof.’
It was a surprise to see Jules in such a state. She was normally cool, calm and collected. Zara didn’t think she’d ever seen her with a strand of hair out of place, let alone trembling hands. ‘Whatever it is, it sounds bad.’
‘That’s because it is.’ Jules dug into her bag, withdrew a pile of photos and dropped them on the table in a dramatic fashion. ‘Look for yourself.’
Zara picked up the photos and slowly examined each one before moving onto the next. She blinked, trying to remove the images that had seared her brain.
‘Jesus Christ,’ she uttered, closing her eyes. ‘Not again.’ Her voice was so low it was barely audible.
She felt herself starting to sway and reached out to a chair to balance herself.
‘I’m sorry to say this, Zara, but your mother has overstepped the line one too many times. I’ll never forgive her for this.’
Zara opened her eyes. ‘I’m really sorry. I don’t know what to say.’
‘It’s not for you to say anything. I just can’t believe she’d fuck over your oldest friend. And for what?’
Zara gripped the chair harder until her knuckles turned white. ‘Who knows why that woman does anything. I’ve given up trying to understand her. You know that.’
She’d found out the hard way ten years previously that her mother was a law unto herself. Diane didn’t care who got in the way of her intended target. Not even her own daughter. She took what she wanted when she wanted it. In the business world she would have been known as a shark. In the real world she was a selfish, cold-hearted woman. Now Jules was also her victim.
‘Let me put some clothes on.’ Zara moved towards the door. ‘There’s a bottle of JD in the cupboard.’
As Zara left the kitchen she heard the scrape of Jules’ chai
r against the tiled floor, then a cupboard opening and the clink of glasses. Still numb with shock, she grabbed a pair of jeans and a jumper before quickly dressing and making her way back to the kitchen. Jules was sat nursing a tumbler full of dark liquid. Zara joined her at the table and took a mouthful of her own drink.
‘I’m sorry to put you in this situation,’ Jules said, dropping her gaze to her drink. ‘I know it must be hard, but I’ve got no one else to talk to.’
‘It’s okay,’ Zara reassured her. ‘Have you spoken to Leigh about it?’
Jules nodded. ‘She isn’t repentant in the slightest. She thinks she’s in love.’
Zara lifted her eyebrows as she drew her knees up to her chest. ‘With my mum? Blimey, she’s going to be in for a shock when reality hits home.’
Tears tumbled down Jules’ cheek. ‘I can’t believe they’ve done this to me now. Right before Christmas. We’re meant to be hosting this year. I can’t cancel it two days before the big day.’
‘That’s where you’re wrong you can do what the hell you want.’
‘I’m not like you, Zara. I care what people think about me,’ she said in an exasperated whine as she leant forward and clasped her hands together. ‘If anyone finds out about this, I’m going to be made a laughing stock. My girlfriend running off with my best friend’s mum. If I feel this bad I can’t imagine how you felt when she …’
‘It’s okay you can say it.’ Zara’s heart felt heavy in her chest. ‘When my mother slept with my first girlfriend.’
The scars from that betrayal had been slow to heal. Not only that, it had led to all sorts of trust issues. Zara reasoned, if you couldn’t trust your own mother who could you trust?
‘I can’t believe I fell for all that bullshit about Leigh decorating your mum’s place because she couldn’t afford to pay a proper decorator. I should have listened to my gut instinct. If your own mother could do that to you …’
