Page 64 of 27 Kisses

Nat’s voice comes through the phone. “Is that Christy? Let me talk to him.”

“Not happening,” he says into the phone. He smiles at me. Wistfully? Sadly? Hard to tell. “This won’t take long.”

“You said that earlier as well. In fact, you said you wouldn’t work at all today.” I gesture at Jonah. “But your work followed you home.”

“I explained that.”

“You did.”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he says in a low voice so no one can hear. But from the kissy sounds Nat is making, I assume shecanhear and already knows about us. “I won’t be long.”

As he talks, Garrett leads me into his office and shuts the door. The sounds of the party are muffled, so only a squawk from Justine and a cheer from Simon can be heard. He puts the phone behind his back and kisses me. “I’ll be back before the presents are even finished.”

I want to argue with him. A week without work interfering is impossible when you own your own business. But it’s one day. If he can’t commit to this, can I really expect him to commit to spending our lives together?

He kisses me again, this time lingering on my mouth. “Can you keep everyone happy for just a few minutes? Please?”

I nod and leave his office. As he closes the door, Nat says, “Next time, let’s do a video chat.”

“No.”

Shaking my head, I return to the living room. Things are a bit out of hand. Simon is chasing Justine, and I’m not sure why until I see the bracelet he made for Reginald hanging from the emu’s beak. Then just as fast, Justine is chasing Simon, and he’s squealing and laughing.

“This bird needs to go.” Garrett’s mother waves her hand, and Justine dives for the shiny bracelet on her wrist. Mrs. Bishop jumps on the couch. “David, do something!”

Garrett’s dad shakes his head.

“He’s not just a bird,” Miles grumbles as he grabs Justine.

“How is it my fault?” The outburst comes from Vivian. He and Jonah are off to the side, arguing.

I take a few steps toward the men when Lanie squeals and knocks into the end table in her attempt to get away from Justine. I change course to help my daughter when the sound of glass breaking has me jerking around. The glass that was on theend table is now on the floor. The wine glass is in pieces as red wine spreads across Garrett’s cream carpet.

“Uncle Garrett is going to kill me.” Lanie stares at the mess, her lips trembling and her eyes big.

“No, lass. We can clean it up.” I’m not sure we can keep red wine from staining the carpet, but we have to try. Garrett loves these carpets. But the pressing issue is the glass.

“On it,” Isaac says.

Reginald lifts his hand. “I can take care of this, sir— I mean, Isaac.” He nods at Adrian and leaves the room.

“Come here, Justine,” the prince says, shaking a shiny piece of wrapping paper. The emu squawks and follows him toward the doorway.

“Aidyn? What are you doing?”

My heart stops at the sound of Emily’s voice.

I twist around. And there on Garrett’s seventy-five-inch television is my sweet Emily laughing and smiling at a much younger me. A Christmas tree in the background. How long ago was this?

“Sorry, Aid— Christy. Lanie wanted to watch it.” Zye gives me a weak smile and then does a full twirl.

But it barely registers. Emily stares at me with love in her eyes. Her beautiful smile. I can almost smell the lavender. I choke back a sob.

“Sorry, Da.” Lanie sounds like she’s about to cry.

I clear my throat. “It’s fine, darlin’.” But I can’t stop the tears flowing down my face. I touch my chest where the ring is hanging around my neck.

“Fuck off!”