From the corner of my eyes,Jesse shook his head, so I turned in his direction.
He leaned his forearms on his thighs.“The motels here are gross. Tell Lily you’re staying at my place. As long as you need.” There was a finality in his voice, but it wasn’t one that scared me.
“I couldn’t imposeon you like that,” I said to Jesse, tipping the phone away from my mouth.
“Trust me, it’s not an imposition.”
“Are you with Jesse?” A pitch at the end of her sentence had me back peddling. Fast.
“Well not with him with him. We’re just out and about.” I scrunched my face.
“I certainly wasn’timplying you werewith himbecause that would be weird being married and all. And besides, it’s Jesse.” She said it like he was a tattered hand-me-down or something, and her wording and tone rubbed me the wrong way.
I sighed, stuck between a rock and hardplace. Jesse wasn’t Charlie, not even close, and yet my sister who didn’t know any better, was taking the side of the guy I was no longer married to. Perhaps it would be better to come out and tell the truth. My mouth opened to speak, but words failed to emerge.
“Anyway, about your lodgings…”
“Lil, we’ll figure out something, but don’t worry, okay? I’m going to be the least of your concerns. You have a wedding in less than 48 hours. That deserves your full concentration, not my accommodations.”
A sigh breezed over the line. “Thanks. Mo. Tell Jesse he should come for the ceremony and party. It’ll be fun and he can take Charlie’s seat, since he’s not coming.”
I tipped my head to the side and smiled at my temporary roommate. “I’ll tell Jesse he’s beeninvited. Thanks.”
A self-assured grin stretchedacross my face. Having him there wouldn’t be weird at all anymore. But I still needed to tell my sister what was going on in my life at some point.
Lily interrupted my train of thought.“Are you coming for breakfast tomorrow?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.” I had placed an order with the bakery for a variety of pastries. After all, the whole wedding crew would be there.
“See you in the morning.”
I hung up andpocketed my phone, all the while unable to wipe the stupid grin on my face. “Problem solved. So, as I was asking before… Are you interested in coming to a beach wedding on Christmas Day?”
Chapter Seven
After a filling dinner ofbibimbap, one of my specialities since it’s easy to make and it’s fairly healthy, Jesse topped up our wine glasses. This time, I went easy on the drinking. I didn’t want another unloading of my secrets on the unsuspecting victim.
We moved from the kitchen to the living room, whichis to say, we moved about ten feet. The house wasn’t huge, but cozy in size. And since most residents on the strip used their homes during the summer, time wasn’t spent in the house. Why would you with the ocean steps away?
“Care to watch a movie?”He grabbed the remote off the bookshelf.
“As long as it’s not a Christmas movie.” The words were out before I could stop them. Maybe Ihaddrank too much wine.
“Something againsta good holiday classic?” He stood impossibly close, and his gaze flittered between my eyes as if searching for the truth I’d never admit.
My bottom lip rolled between my teeth. “Well, it’s just that…” There was no good way of answering. I tossed my hands out to the side. “By this time in the season, I think I’ve watched them all.”
“Do you have a favourite? We couldalways watch that one.”
None of them were. They were all so happy and lovey-dovey with everything ending up perfect for the main characters. Real life never worked out that way. People died on Christmas Day, forever changing the way the holiday was meant to be. My sister was a prime example. How many people actually got married on Christmas Day rather than sitting around the base of a decorated tree unwrapping presents? Probably none.
Jesse grabbed a couple of blankets from the back of the couch. “What if instead of watching a movie, we just sat outside on the deck. I’ve got a space heater to take the edge off. And we don’t even have to talk.”
I breathed a sigh of reliefand reached for one of the blankets, my fingers grazing his arm. My synapses went on a wild spree with the delicate touch. “That sounds heavenly.”
After he turned off the overhead lights, the only glow in the room was from the lights heavily decorating the tree. The space under the tree was lacking presents. With his family out of town, had he mailed them out? Up until that moment, I had suspected he’d be celebrating Christmas morning withsomeone.But as I gazed again at the empty tree skirt, an ache formed in my heart.
“You coming?” Jesse asked, and I whipped my focus over to him, where he stood at the door waiting.