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A beeping noise from the kitchen made Cathy jump up. “That’s my cue to baste. Back in a moment.”

* * *

“I might haveto lie flat and promise never to eat again after that meal. My body does not know what’s hit it.” Ella caressed her stomach as she clicked her seat belt into place. “You were far more controlled than me.”

“I’ve got a career and a recovery to think about. You can afford another mince pie.”

Ella eased the car onto the road and started the drive back to their apartment complex.

“It wasn’t too bad for you sharing the day with me?” Sloane turned her head to Ella. “I really do appreciate it. It would have been fine on my own, but it was far better with you.”

“It was better than fine. You’ve got a lovely family.” Ella paused. “How was it, sharing it with them? I know it was probably a million miles away from what you’re used to back home.”

Sloane shook her head, still processing the past few surprising, golden hours. “It was like the perfect Christmas, you know? The ones I used to dream about when I was a kid. I always used to go to sleep on Christmas Eve, squeeze my eyes tight shut and hope that when I woke up, I’d have the ideal presents under the tree. That we’d all get on, play games, and make Christmas cookies. This was as close as I’ve ever got. Family, you, the perfect gift. We even played Monopoly.” It was more than a little overwhelming.

They arrived back at Sloane’s flat, and Ella gave her family a call. Then, at Ella’s insistence, Sloane put her feet up while she made them a coffee. She got the cream from the fridge and the look of gratitude on Sloane’s face was a sight to behold. Ella laughed when she sat next to her on the couch. “You’re very easily pleased, you know that?”

“Tell my mom, please.” Sloane’s face crumpled. “Sorry. Every time I slate my mom, I’m really aware that yours isn’t here.” She shook her head. “It’s true what they say, the good ones do go first.”

But Ella shook her head. “Don’t worry. I know she’s been with us all day long. She wouldn’t miss out on a Christmas dinner. And for what it’s worth, you deserve to have all the Christmases you’ve ever wanted, and more. If your parents don’t appreciate you for who you are, it’s their loss.”

Sloane’s gaze lingered on Ella’s collarbone, the dip at the bottom of her neck. Now it was just the two of them, these details came into sharp focus again.

“I know that, believe me. I’ve got the therapy to prove it. Years of it. But it’ll never stop me wishing it was different, even if I accept life as it is. My parents don’t think women should play soccer; that being queer is a mental illness. My new family think I’ve got the perfect job, know that I’m gay and didn’t blink. The distance between them is hard to take in.”

Sloane sat forward on the couch. “But I don’t want to bring the mood down. I never expected to fall instantly in love with my new family, which is weird.” She laughed, then held up her coffee cup. “I’ve got so much to be grateful for, and isn’t that what Christmas is about? I’d rather focus on the positives. Cathy, Rich, Ryan and Hayley.” She turned her gaze on Ella. “But most of all, you. For spending Christmas with me. For driving me around for the past few weeks when I’ve been useless. For being the best friend and neighbour this lonely American could ever wish for. For giving up your Christmas with your family who you do actually get on with to spend it with me.”

“It wasn’t a hard decision. I couldn’t let you be sad and lonely, could I?”

“Some people might have.”

“They’re not the ones who’ve spent the past few months getting to know what a special person you are.”

“I’m not sure I’m all that special.”

Ella fixed Sloane with her searing gaze. She licked her bottom lip.

Sloane couldn’t tear her eyes away. She didn’t want to, either.

Ella leaned over and took Sloane’s cup of coffee out of her hands. She put it on the floor, then moved closer to her. “You don’t see what I see, that’s why.”

Sloane’s heartbeat began to climb as if she was running up a hill. But it didn’t feel like effort. This was a hill she was more than happy to climb. A hill called Ella.

Ella’s fingers traced a journey up Sloane’s left arm, across her shoulder and glided up her neck.

She closed her eyes. Was this going to be the moment she’d been thinking about constantly ever since they shared that dynamite kiss a lifetime ago? She hardly dared to believe it, but her belief was raised when Ella’s lips landed on her neck and kissed her gently.

Sloane tingled all over.

“I got you a gift. I could go and get it.” Ella’s words were warm vibrations on her skin.

Sloane wanted to shout “No!”, but no sound left her lips.

“Or else I could give you an alternative festive gift. One I’ve been saving up just for today.”

Blood roared in her veins. This was it, what she’d been waiting for. Yet even though she’d willed this moment to happen for a while, Sloane found herself unprepared. As if Ella had stripped her bare, yet she still had every stitch of clothing on. But vulnerability looked good on her. Ella had said so. Sloane had practised it enough in her career, just not so much in her personal life. But with Ella, she already felt safe – being vulnerable wouldn’t be difficult. That was a big thing. Particularly now that Ella’s lips were on her skin, and her words still hung in the air. She wanted to give Sloane a Christmas gift she’d never forget. Sloane was going to open herself up and get ready to receive.

Ella pulled back, her eyes dark with want. She was a portrait of beauty, her lashes thick, her neck the only place Sloane wanted to put her lips. She’d thought about flicking open Ella’s buttons earlier, but now she could. Life was a series of moments, of split-second choices. It had that in common with soccer. She decided to take a chance. She always played soccer on the front foot. She was going to do the same now. However, when she moved her hand, Ella caught it, and clamped her fingers around Sloane’s wrist.