“I’m sorry,” I whisper, tears stinging my eyes.
“No, it’s alright. I’m...I’m gonna go. Thanks for the tea,” he mumbles, refusing to meet my eyes.
“I’m sorry,” I repeat as he nods, forcing a smile.
“It’s fine, don’t worry about it. Merry Christmas,” he says softly, walking to the hallway.
“Merry Christmas,” I whisper as tears slide down my cheeks. The front door slams behind him, and Cassie stills in mid-throw, calling out to Dylan. Tom glances over to the kitchen window with surprise, and I turn away, wiping at my eyes.
Why thehelldid I kiss him?! What was I thinking?! That Dylan Charmer would fall into my arms, and we’d live happily ever?
“Merry!” Cassie calls from the front door, stamping her feet on the mat. “Merry!”
I inhale deeply, closing my eyes.
“Yeah, in here,” I call back as my sister appeared in the doorway, her hair flecked with snowflakes.
“Dylan left!” She cries, striding over to me. “Why?”
“Probably because I’m an idiot,” I mumble as the kids come crashing through the door.
“Tom!” Cassie yells, not moving her eyes from mine. “Why don’t you make the kids some hot chocolate?”
She guides me out of the kitchen and back into the front room, closing the door behind her.
“You need to tell me what happened between you,” Cassies says, sinking into the sofa.
“Nothing.” I shrug my shoulders. “I mean, I kissed him, and he pulled away. Then he left.”
And it really hurts.
“Oh no,” Cassie groans, her eyes searching mine.
“It’s stupid. I thought we had something between us…” my voice trails off, remembering how it felt to wake up in his arms.
“Merry, I’ve seen the way he looks at you. I’m sure he feels something for you.”
“Yeah, friendship, probably. I’m an idiot,” I repeat, staring glumly at my sister. “But it’s fine. Just one of those things.”
Cassie gives me a sad smile before reaching out to lace her fingers with mine.
“Forget about Dylan Charmer. He’s full of issues, and you don’t need to be part of it. Let’s just enjoy the rest of Christmas Eve. The kids will distract you, I promise.”
“Thanks, Cass, for trying.”
She kisses my forehead, rising to her feet.
“Come on, dear sister. Let’s go and get drunk and eat shit.”
Perfect. Or as close to it as I can get right now.
