by Jenny Hale
The song ended and Nick turned toward her, immediately showing concern when he realized she was crying. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing at all.” She smiled and sniffled again. “It was beautiful.”
He stared at her for a moment as if deciding something. Then, he leaned in slowly, her heart speeding up with the realization of what was happening. He stopped just before meeting her lips. She could feel his breath, every inch of her body wanting to press herself against him. She couldn’t get close enough to him and the space between them was killing her. “I’m glad you liked it,” he whispered. Then, he closed his eyes and, under the mistletoe that hung over the piano, his lips met hers. The warmth of his hands as they moved around her, the tenderness in his kiss, the perfect way they fit together—she didn’t want it to end.
But, before she was ready, he gently pulled away. Thoughts were clear on his face. He swallowed. “This… was completely unexpected,” he said. She knew just what he meant. His money, his upbringing, his ridiculous choices for spending his earnings—none of it seemed as big as the way she felt at this moment.
* * *
To Abbey’s surprise, the painters had made it out to do the other two bedrooms this afternoon. Abbey was so excited, she’d gone to find Nick. Last night, he’d offered to help her with the others. While she’d enjoyed herself, painting with him, she didn’t want to impose on his time, and she was happy to tell him he wouldn’t have to help her.
Abbey found him in the ballroom, and he was on the phone. He motioned for her to come and sit on the sofa as he finished his call. She looked around the room so as not to make eye contact and appear to eavesdrop, but as she let her eyes fall on the piano, she heard something about him traveling somewhere.
“Are you taking a trip?” she asked, standing up to face him as he hung up the phone. She worried about him flying in all this snow.
He cleared his throat. “I’m going to New York the day after tomorrow. I’ll be gone all week,” Nick said.
“Oh.”
“I’m going because I’m house hunting. I’m planning on moving just after Christmas. I haven’t told anyone except Robin yet.” He looked over her head for a moment as if he had to collect his thoughts. “It’s just easier to do what I do from a larger city. I could make more money in New York, and I feel that if I could be more hands-on with the business, be able to meet with people face to face, be available on a moment’s notice—if I could do that, things could grow on a grander scale than they are here. My living in Richmond is the last remnant of my marriage, and I’m ready to make a change.”
She stared at him, taking in this news. It was like someone had kicked her in the stomach, and all the possibilities rushed right down the drain. Her mind went to Max. She walked over to the piano bench and sat down. “You promised to go to Max’s school,” she said quietly.
“I will keep that promise,” he said.
Reality set in, the weight of it slamming against her temples and making them pound. He’d only just met her. They didn’t have any kind of relationship that would warrant keeping him here.
She understood that it should be easy to walk away, for the very reason that they hadn’t known each other very long, but the thought of not seeing him again and Max’s loss of a real man in his life made her feel like she had a cinder block on her chest.
“I can tell you’re upset.”
She tried to straighten out her face but was unsuccessful.
“I’m sorry I kissed you,” he said sitting down next to her.
His face came into a sharp focus. “You’re sorry?”
“I was simply acting on my feelings, and I should’ve thought it through. I didn’t mean to cross the personal–professional line.”
“What about eating tacos, dancing with me, the snowball fights, painting… Those weren’t crossing the personal–professional line? You even said you cared about me.”
“I do. And I don’t think we should allow things to move any further given my plans to leave. It was my fault for allowing it to progress as much as it has. After Christmas, I’ll be gone.”
Abbey realized something at that moment. “Is Caroline moving with you?” she asked. If he planned on taking Caroline with him, Abbey would be out of a job. She felt sick. She’d have to start looking as soon as she could get her car out. What was shaping up to be the best Christmas was now looking like one of her worst.
“Yes. She’ll be leaving as well. I was going to give you a month’s pay with your notice.”
“I think I need to have a moment to myself to process all of this,” she said. “I’m just going to go upstairs.” She stood up, blinked her eyes clear, and took in a breath. But then she turned around. He was still, his eyes on her. “I’m not sorry I kissed you,” she said. “I’m not sorry at all.” She walked back over to him, still not ready to leave this conversation.
“I’m glad I kissed you too. I meant it. I just think it made things harder, and that’s why I’m sorry.”
“Then why didn’t you say that?” she said, sitting back down next to him. She was so glad to hear him opening up a little and telling her how he really felt.
“I’m not as practiced at telling my feelings as you are.”
“What do you mean I’m practiced at telling my feelings?” she asked.
“You’re really good at it,” he said, his face shifting into a happier expression. “I can honestly say that I am fully aware of all your emotions as you are having them.” He was smiling at her now.
“Is that so?” She looked up and put her arms around him. The skin between his eyes wrinkled as he waited for an explanation for her behavior. Without another word, she leaned down and gave him a kiss.
“What was that for?” he said, their faces still close.
“I had to,” she teased. “We’re under the mistletoe.”
“Mmm hmm,” he said, leaning in for another. Then, he looked up at the mistletoe and shook his head.
* * *
The next morning, the plows had finally come and Abbey could go home to pack properly for her and Max’s stay at Nick’s. Given his recent news, however, the wind had been taken out of her sails, and she was apprehensive about staying there with him. It would only make things more difficult.
Richard helped her put the few bags she was taking back to the apartment into her car as Max climbed into the backseat. Richard had returned her house key and assured her that someone would bring all her food by once the power had come back on at her apartment.
Once Max was in his seatbelt, she made her way down the long drive. Max was quiet, clearly sleepy from all the excitement yesterday, and she was relieved because it gave her time to clear her head. It was probably good that Nick would be gone next week. Then, she could just finish decorating what she could get done and have maybe only one more week after he returned. She wished things could be different… Abbey stopped herself. She wasn’t going to do any wishing. There were no Christmas miracles. She needed to get a grip and get over him.
She drove straight to her mother’s. She was leaving Max there for an hour or two to go Christmas shopping for him before she went home to pack. The good news was that she would get her check from Nick soon, so she could afford to spend a good amount on her son for once. She even planned to get Nick a present.
Abbey was already worrying about missing Nick. Her mother would help her through this. As she drove, Abbey wondered exactly what this was. She wanted to see Nick. She didn’t want him to go to New York. Those were the facts.
They pulled into the drive, and sitting on the front porch was Señor Freckles. He darted across the yard to the car, which was surprising. Abbey got out and walked around to make sure Max could get out all right on the ice. When she did, she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Señor Freckles was at Max’s door, purring. Max reached down to pet him, and the cat ran away. Didn’t that ridiculous cat know that if he would just hold still, and allow it, they’d cuddle him and pet hi
m?
Abbey’s mom opened the front door, that motherly expression on her face. “Have you been snowed in this whole weekend?” she asked, tiptoeing her way across the icy porch to greet them.
“We stayed at Nick’s house!” Max answered for Abbey, and she felt her face go white.
It was silly to make a big fuss of it. Her mom had always said Abbey picked the wrong guys, and what Abbey didn’t ever tell her was that she knew that. Nick wasn’t like the others at all. He was far from it. And she knew what her mom would be thinking. She knew that her mom would be thrilled beyond belief if something were to happen between them. And if her mom got excited, it would only get Abbey thinking about how much she liked him. She looked over at her mother who was eyeing her, her eyebrows raised in anticipation.
“It was so fun, Nana,” Max said. “We built a snowman and watched TV on a giant screen, and I played ‘Hide and Seek’!”
Her mother flashed an excited grin.
“It was very fun,” Abbey said for Max’s benefit but her face told her mother something else. “I’ll fill you in when we get settled.” Abbey opened the door, Señor Freckles darting between them into the house. Max rushed in after him, trying to catch him, but Gramps intercepted Max in the hallway.
“Hiya, buddy,” Gramps said, tousling his hair.
“Hi, Gramps!” Max said as he wrapped his arms around Gramps’s waist.
“Come on in and get warm,” Abbey’s mom said as she put her hands out to take their coats.
“Where did Señor Freckles go?” Max asked as he plopped down on the sofa and crossed his legs. “He ran too fast for me to catch him.”
“He doesn’t want to be caught,” Gramps explained, gingerly lowering himself down beside Max, his knees wobbling with the movement. “He’s a wild cat. He’s used to being strong all on his own. When you see him again, just talk to him. He likes that.”
Max nodded.
As Gramps began a conversation about how he’d originally found Señor Freckles, Abbey’s mother ushered her out of the room.
“Tell me!” she said. “What were you doing at Nick’s all weekend?”
“My power was out. He offered for us to stay with him.”
“How did he know your power was out?”
“He was shopping with us.”
Her mother’s face lifted, the interest building. So much had happened that Abbey didn’t really even know where to begin.
“Why was he shopping with you?” she asked, her words elongated to denote her delight in the idea of Nick spending time with her daughter.
“I asked him, and he came.”
“Will you see him again?”
Abbey chewed on her lip, trying to figure out the answer to the question herself. In what capacity would she see him? She wanted to be near him again, feel his lips on hers, his arms holding her, but she didn’t know if that would be a possibility.
“He’s going out of town tomorrow for the week. We’ll see what happens after that. Actually, I need to text him something before he goes out of town. Do you mind if I step out for just a sec?”
“No, not at all. I’ll keep an eye on Max.” Her mom leaned in to take a peek at him and then she made eye contact with Abbey. She looked hopeful, and Abbey wanted to tell her mom everything, but she wanted to call Nick too.
“I won’t be long.”
“I’ll make us some coffee,” her mom said.
Abbey took her phone into her childhood bedroom and lay on the new comforter. Nervousness ran through her fingers as she typed his number, and opened the text screen. She got straight to the point.
She texted: I forgot to tell you the painters came. They did the other rooms. You won’t need to help me paint, but thank you so much for your help and for the offer.
He responded: That’s great news. May I call you?
Yes, she texted back. The phone rang and she answered it.
“I wanted to make sure you’re okay. I was hoping to break the news about me planning to move in a better way. I didn’t have a chance to get my thoughts together first. Will you be able to find a job in a month’s time? Does that sound reasonable?”
“It’s fine,” she said. “I’m going to really miss Caroline, though. I really enjoy spending time with her.”
The line was quiet for a while. “I’m in too deep with the business to consider staying,” he finally said.
“I’d never ask you to.”
Abbey didn’t want to be some kind of anchor, a weight, keeping him in a place he didn’t want to be. He wasn’t going to change his plans for her, and that was understandable, given that they’d just met, but it made her so sad. She’d just found him and now she was losing him.
“Who will care for Caroline?” Abbey asked quietly. She’d grown attached to Nick’s grandmother. Even not seeing her some weekends was really hard. Caroline was fond of her too, and she might be all alone in New York.
“Robin is there with her family. She’s going to find a suitable nurse to take care of her.”
“Will you sell the house?” She was grasping for anything. Maybe they’d come back. Maybe he wouldn’t like New York.
“Maybe.”
Abbey’s mom poked her head into the room. “Coffee,” she mouthed. The coffee being ready was a legitimate reason for peeking in, but Abbey knew her mother was just checking on her.
Abbey held up one finger and smiled her best smile as she whispered, “One sec.” Her mom closed the door but left it open a crack and walked back toward the kitchen.
“Do you need to go?” Nick asked.
Abbey rubbed her forehead. “I have to go shopping for Max. I haven’t bought any Christmas presents yet and Mom’s going to watch him for me. Why don’t you come with me?” The truth of the matter was that, after Christmas, he’d be leaving Richmond and too far away from her, so there was no use in seeing him again. But she couldn’t help herself.
“I’d love to.”
“What time?” she heard herself ask. Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t stay away because, when it came down to it, all she wanted was to see him.
“What time were you planning on going?”
“In a few minutes.”
“I’ll pick you up. You’re at your mother’s—at Maple and Ivy?”
He remembered. She smiled. Of course he remembered. “Yes.”
“I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
Abbey ended the call and made her way to the kitchen where her mom had two steaming mugs of coffee made. One of the mugs was painted with finger-paints—it had been an art project of Max’s that he’d made for her. She could hear Max playing a card game with Gramps in the other room.
They sat there quietly for a while before her mother spoke. Her mom had been wiping counters, her back to Abbey, but Abbey could feel the questions hanging in the air.
“Want to tell me what all this is about?” her mom finally said, sitting down next to her. She picked up her mug and blew the steam off the top.
“It’s so… hard to explain,” she said, feeling her worry settling in her shoulders.
“You like him,” her mom noted.
“Very much. I think there’s so much more to him than he allows anyone to see. I can feel it. I used to think that I was the one with few experiences, but I wonder sometimes if he’s got fewer than I have. …Or maybe just not very rich experiences. No pun intended,” she smiled. “Did you know that he’s never been to a baseball game?”
“Really?”
“Really! And I took him to The Crazy Corner,” she smiled wider at the memory of him dancing.
“Alma’s restaurant?”
“Yeah. He loved it! He even danced with me.”
“He seems to like you.”
“I think so.”
“Then what more is there?”
“A lot. He said he isn’t having any kids, and I’ve got Max.” Her mom was about to respond, but Abbey stopped her. “And he’s moving to New York after Christmas.” She took a si
p of her coffee and held on to the mug, warming her hands.
Her mom was still, her head tilted, her eyes wide. “Oh, no.”
“Oh, yes.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Well, to start, I’m going to go shopping with him today,” she said, huffing out a little laugh of disbelief. She put her head in her hands and covered her eyes. With her voice muffled by her fingers, she said, “He’ll be here in ten minutes. After that, I don’t know.”
“Ten minutes?” her mom nearly shrieked.
“Who’s coming in ten minutes?” Max asked, entering the room and nearly tripping over Señor Freckles. The cat, who’d come out of nowhere, darted away before Max had regained his balance, and he dropped the deck of cards on the floor. “I have to keep picking up cards,” Max said, a slight frustration to his voice.
“Nick’s coming in ten minutes,” Abbey answered his question, taking her mug with her to sip her coffee as she helped Max with his cards. “Where’s Gramps? Did you two finish playing your game?”
“Yes. He’s tired and wants to go to sleep. He kept dropping his cards.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. She worried for Gramps. Was he really tired or just annoyed at having a tough time holding the cards?
“Were you patient with Gramps?” she asked. “You know things like holding cards are difficult for him, and it aggravates him.”
“Yes. I was. …Nick’s coming?” Max said with a smile, and Abbey could feel the tension in her body as she saw his excitement. She didn’t want him getting close to Nick only to have him leave. It hurt her enough to think about him leaving; she didn’t want to have Max’s disappointment to deal with.
“I don’t think he’s coming in. He’s just picking me up to go shopping.”
“May I go?”
