Page 29 of Here in My Heart (Here Together #2)

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Sylvie caught Elda’s eye, and they shared a silent, knowing glance of the festive joy to come. The door opened, and a shaft of light stretched across the oak floorboards.

“Go on in, boys,” Charlie said.

Arlo held Elda’s hand and followed his older brother into the room. The floor creaked with each of their tiny footsteps.

“Has he been?” Sylvie whispered, knowing full well the tree was barricaded with gift boxes.

“He’s been,” Eli said, his tiny voice full of excitement.

Sylvie flicked the lamp on, bathing the room in the warm light that was usually reserved for the evening.

Wide-eyed, the boys rushed to the gifts which had been stacked like boulders against the Christmas tree. Tiny bows peeped above the boxes, glistening in the glow of the Christmas tree lights.

“I still don’t know why we had to wait for the morning.” Sylvie yawned. “No wonder the children can’t sleep for excitement.”

“Because that’s what we do in England, Sylvie. It’s tradition for Father Christmas to only come down the chimney once everyone is asleep.” Elda glared at her, obviously not wishing to explain to her little ones why Santa might arrive earlier across the Channel.

“But you’re all here, in France. You should be following my rules.” Sylvie huffed, grabbed Eli and tickled him. “You’re lucky I love you guys so much.”

Charlie had arranged two indistinguishable piles of gifts overnight, sat at either side of the tree.

“Eli, it looks like these ones are for you.” Charlie pointed at the left-hand side. “And these are yours, baby boy.” She led her youngest son toward the first layer of wrapped boxes.

Arlo’s face beamed, his eyes wide with disbelief.

“Want to see what’s inside?” Elda asked. “Try this one.”

He stroked the paper with just enough reverence before tearing it apart and bouncing with unbridled elation. “I wanted this one.” Arlo’s smile reached his bright blue eyes, and everyone in the room caught it like a common cold, unable to resist the contagious cheer. “Thank you, Father Christmas.”

A lump of happiness stuck in Sylvie’s throat, and she excused herself to make coffee. Having spent countless Christmas holidays in the company of adults, she’d forgotten the sheer magic of it all when seen through the eyes of small children.

The pot spluttered on the stove top, and her thoughts drifted to Ade and Steph enjoying their gift-giving this morning. An image of Ade in her pajamas, her long limbs stretched on her sofa, filled her mind and quickened her pulse.

Christmas morning, surrounded by the innocence of childhood, was no time to be humoring her wildest fantasies, but a huge part of her had wished that Ade had woken next to her in bed.

What a Christmas gift that would have been.

Their kiss, when it had finally come, had been everything.

But she’d gone home last night because she’d made a promise to Steph.

“Earth to Sylvie?” Elda leaned against the door frame. “What are you thinking about?”

“Just enjoying the moment, that’s all.” Sylvie sniffed, caught in her reverie.

“Daydreaming about Ade, by any chance?” Elda asked.

“Maybe.” Sylvie’s cheeks flushed. “Did you like her?”

Elda stepped forward and gently gripped Sylvie’s shoulders. “She was lovely. But you already know that.”

“She gets nervous around new people.” Sylvie returned the hug, baffled by the feelings swirling around her head.

“Hey, she was great with the boys. Anyone who gets them out of my hair for ten minutes is a win.” Elda took over making the coffee. “Seriously, she had her quirks, but she seems like a good egg.”

“Yeah. I really think so.”

“Hot too. Smoking hot.” Elda laughed. “So, what happened? I want all the details.”

“Elda, I need your help.” Charlie appeared at the doorway, shaking her head. “The boys are on gift number four. Arlo’s more obsessed with unwrapping than actually playing with anything, and I need to find some batteries before Eli has a meltdown. Could you look in the suitcase?”

“I’m on it.” Elda clapped her hands. “Operation battery-powered-toys has commenced earlier than I thought. Let’s come back to our conversation as soon as I get five minutes to myself.” She padded away.

As the sun rose, the early start made itself known with a second wave of fatigue, and Sylvie yawned and stretched her arms to the ceiling. “I might take a morning stroll before we start lunch. Anyone care to join me?”

Charlie looked up over a sea of wrapping paper. “Sounds delightful. You and Elda go, and I’ll stay here with the boys.”

Not needing to be told twice, they made their escape down the cobbled lane toward the village center. A couple of passersby wished them a Merry Christmas, and Sylvie reciprocated, sparing Elda the use of her rusty language skills. “Do you think you remember any French?”

“I doubt it. What is it they say about baby-brain? I think the last five years has robbed me of any ability to retain non-essential information. It’s all been replaced by the names of Peppa Pig characters.”

“You’re happy though?” Sylvie asked.

“God, yeah. It’s pretty perfect, isn’t it?” Elda looped her arm through Sylvie’s. “I mean, I don’t want to be smug, but I really am living my best life.”

Sylvie laughed, her breath puffing like clouds into the air. “That is pretty smug.”

“But you have to really appreciate the good things when they come along. Like you and Ade. It’s obvious she really likes you.”

Sylvie drifted to the electricity that had sparked between their lips last night. “But she’ll be going back to California in a few months. It can’t last. Not like you and Charlie.” Sylvie shivered, the cold air sneaking through the seams in her jacket.

“There were many times when I refused to believe in me and Charlie. Like when I moved to Paris for that job and met you. If I’d have stayed put, I would’ve been miserable and lonely. If you weren’t around, that is.” Elda nudged her. “And Charlie and I may never have got together.”

“And when you left her, albeit briefly.” Sylvie smirked.

“Yeah, well, that was a huge mistake, and I’d lost all faith in everything at that point.” Elda tsked. “The point is, sometimes you have to believe that whatever’s stacked against you will work itself out somehow.”

“It’s pretty stacked.” Sylvie nodded. “But I can’t get her out of my head.”

“Oh, I know that feeling, Sylvie. You’ve got it bad, my lovely.” Elda pulled her toward a bench and wiped the dew off the seat before she sat down. “Tell me what you like about her?”

“She’s kind, without being over-the-top.

She’s dedicated. And gentle. I’ve never seen anyone move so deliberately.

I don’t know. She’s magnetic. When she’s in the room, I can’t stop myself from getting closer just to hear what she says next, to feel her look at me.

” Sylvie screamed into her hands. “I’m going slowly mad. ”

“What would you say to me?” Elda asked.

“Calme-toi.” Sylvie blew her cheeks out.

“Get a grip?” Elda asked.

“Exactly. Your French isn’t so rusty after all.” Sylvie winked. “You’re right. I need to pull myself together. And do what?”

Elda steepled her fingers. “If you close your eyes, what’s the best thing you see happening? ”

“I drive back to the city. I surprise Ade. Somehow, she thinks my company is preferable to her sister’s, she comes home with me and we pick up where we left off last night.”

“So make it happen.” Elda took her elbow and brought them both to a standstill.

“What, now?”

“Well, maybe after lunch. I can’t handle a whole Christmas Day feast on my own, especially with all that fish you ordered. But after we’re done, leave us here with Henri and go make your dreams come true.”

“You’re kidding.” Sylvie slumped against her friend’s shoulder, touching her lips where Ade had caressed her just a few hours ago. “Imagine if I just drove home and turned up on her doorstep.”

“Don’t imagine it. Just do it.”

Sylvie couldn’t pluck up the courage to knock on Ade’s door. Or buzz her intercom. She sat for a short while until the jitters got to her, then she stood outside the five-story block for another twenty minutes.

The whole thing was madness. Elda and Charlie had her caught up in a fantasy where Ade would open the door and sweep her off her feet. The reality would be far more sobering, no doubt. Ade would be annoyed by the interruption in her routine, grumpy and awkward, until she got used to it.

Sylvie dared another look up toward the attic studio. The lights were on, that was something. Either she was in, or Steph was. Neither option made Sylvie feel any better. Perhaps she should just make her way home, settle in for the night. She had cheese, wine and good friends waiting for her

Her phone buzzed in her hand.

Hope you’ve had a great day. I wish we could have spent it together .

Sylvie’s breath caught in her throat. So she hadn’t conjured the whole thing in her imagination. It was all there for the taking, if one of them was brave enough.

Me too. It’s been lovely with all the gang, but I’ve made my way back to the city. I missed you. Care to join me?

She wouldn’t want to leave her sister alone, surely.

Where are you?

Right outside your apartment.

Oh, God, that was very firmly in the stalker behavior column. She hoped Ade wouldn’t hold it against her. Although if the shoe was on the other foot, Sylvie most definitely would.

“I don’t really buy all that manifesting shit, but I guess Christmas is a time for believing in something.” Ade strode across the small square, filling it with her presence.

Sylvie couldn’t meet her eye contact, a shyness overcoming her. “It’s a bold move, I know. I hope you don’t think I’m a stalker.”

“Hey, I’m the one who took the train to the countryside for the afternoon yesterday.” Ade smiled.

“It’s like we can’t keep away from each other.”

“It’s just like that.” Ade stepped into her space and licked her lips. “But if we get interrupted again, I’m going to lose my shit.”

Sylvie gave into her craving and met Ade’s lips. This time it was tentative. She had tasted Ade, and she wanted more. She smiled into the kiss. “Me too.” Her lips tingled with the contact, her ears buzzed with a rush of adrenaline, and for a moment, she might have left the floor.

Sylvie wanted the kiss to last for as long as possible. She burned with passion, growing bolder as they kissed.

Ade broke away, her eyes shining with the emotion. “I don’t know what to say.”

Sylvie pressed her finger to Ade’s lips, desperate to reassure her that she didn’t need the words to describe it. “I know.”

“I’ve never done that before. Not like that.” Ade cleared her throat .

“Me neither.” Sylvie took Ade’s hand and laced their fingers together. “Want to come over?”

“Absolutely, I do.” Ade looked over her shoulder to her studio.

Sylvie’s heart bounced. “Forget I asked. You’ll want to stay with Steph.” She’d known Ade would put her sister’s feelings before her own, and she liked her even more for it. “Of course.” But that kiss. She wanted more, and soon.

“I already told her not to wait up.”

It was like Ade read her mind as she covered her lips once again with her soft, firm touch.

“Now look who’s making bold moves.” She rested in Ade’s embrace, against her firm chest. “I could always come up and enjoy the company of two Poole sisters for the price of one?” She smirked, putting her hand on Ade’s hips.

“That’d be weird.” Ade frowned. “Oh, you’re joking, right?”

“Come on, you.” She cupped Ade’s cheeks. “Could we just kiss again though, just to make sure I like it?”

Ade grinned and delivered a dozen tiny kisses along Sylvie’s throat all the way to her earlobe. She liked it, more than anything she could think of. Desire rushed through her mind, fanning a heat through her veins and pumping blood to every inch of her body.

Time stopped while Sylvie surrendered to Ade’s touch, before it sped up again, and they walked hand in hand toward her own apartment block.

Sylvie hadn’t thought through what would happen if Ade had actually come home with her.

But one thing was sure: she didn’t want to break away now that they’d finally come together.

At the main door, Sylvie looked to Ade for assurance.

Did Ade want her too? Was this happening?

Her heart raced as Ade undressed her with her eyes, peeling every layer of clothing from her right there in the shadows.

Sylvie’s knees buckled, wishing Ade would spare her the agonizing wait of climbing the staircase.

Ade nodded as if the same filthy thoughts had run through her own mind.

But just like they had to wait for their kiss, they’d wait for the rest. However achingly long that wait might be.