“Okay, I have a confession.” Penelope looks somewhat bashful at her admission. I don’t know whether to find it adorable or be apprehensive. I’ve been scarred from previous experiences. “I actually booked these appointments when Xavier said you guys would join us for the holidays. I know that was very presumptuous of me, and I should have asked in advance, but Xavier can be a flighty one. It all started back when he was eighteen.” She crosses the room, settling herself against the desk, and crosses one foot over her ankle. “I won’t go into too much detail, because it isn’t my story to tell and I won’t air his laundry out like that, but he wentthrough something unimaginable at such a young age. I wish I could have protected him from it. There’s nothing more painful than seeing your flesh and blood suffer in such a manner. We did therapy, and that seemed to help. He started focusing on his studies. He has always wanted to be a vet.”
She smiles softly as she reminisces of a younger Xavier. “We are so proud of what he’s accomplished. When he discussed how he wanted to open up his own clinic on his property, his father and I wanted to help fund it. But he refused, saying he wanted to accomplish this on his own. That just made us more proud. He never really wanted to use the family wealth that we have, which I don’t fault him for. His sister has relied on us a lot financially. She’s always needed more of a hand holding than our Xavier. He’s always been so independent.” She gets quiet for a moment.
“Anyways,” Penelope waves her hand. “I’m sorry, I’m rambling. What I’m trying to tell you is that when I saw him with you, my son seemed lighter. And then he agreed to come out to the ski lodge here, after declining for so long. So, I booked these appointments hoping that I can get some one-on-one time.”
I take a minute to collect my thoughts. Xavier’s mom has been so open and welcoming, and that’s something I’m not used to. “That was very thoughtful of you, Penelope. I’d love to go!” A smile takes over my face, and excitement stirs inside my belly.
Penelope claps her hand with excitement. “Oh perfect! The appointment is in an hour! So, I’ll leave you to get ready, and we’ll meet downstairs!” She is up and out of the room in a flurry, leaving me to get ready.
Penelope’s light is the perfect way to bring myself back for the spiral I’ve been going down. The way Xavier has described his mom, I thought she would be more closed off than how she’s been. I can see how she cares deeply about the people she loves. It also becomes evident that she hasgiven more attention to Chloe, which can explain why Xavier is feeling the way he’s feeling.
I wish he would just talk to me.
I’ve been laying on my bed for the last hour talking with Evie on the phone. I need my best friend now more than ever. I think she could sense it too, because I have been laughing for the last ten minutes as she tells me about another disaster date of hers.
“Then,she leaned forward. I thought maybe she was going for a kiss right? Or even a hug, since clearly she had to know the date went as terrible as I thought it went.”
“Oh God– which did she do?” I snort, wiping away a tear that collected from laughing so hard. This date was a disaster from the start when Evie’s date showed up–withher ex…who joined them on their date.
“Neither! She booped my fucking nose, Harps. Pressed it like a fucking button. And then shegiggled. Told me she had a great time, and she’d love to do it again. Her ex was still in the backseat!”
Laughter explodes out of me. I drop my phone, rolling around on the bed in a fit, and a snort leaves me. This girl has zero luck dating anyone.
Muffling noises drift from my phone, so I grab it and bring it to my ear again. “I’m– I’m sorry. But that has to be the most disastrous date I haveeverheard you go on. Please tell me you blocked her.”
“Blocked, deleted. Gone. Never again, Harps. Also remind me toneveragree to be picked up on the first date. As soon as I tried to dip and remembered that she was my ride, I wanted to simply fucking pass away.”
A snicker leaves me. “Noted.”
“What about you, babes? How are things going?”
My mood immediately diminishes at the question. “It’s alright.”
“And what’s your real answer?”
Iwantto talk to her about this. I just don’t even know where to start with it. “I don’t even fully know where to start. The place is beautiful. There are so many cute trails to walk, and the easy access to get to the town is so ideal. I tried this bakery that Xavier told me about. We were supposed to go together but…it never happened. So, I just went by myself, and I tried their chocolate croissants. They were todiefor. They were the perfect combination of flaky and fluffy. Xavier’s mom and I went to a spa and got our nails done today. I got them done in this pretty emerald green color that’s going to go so well with my dress for the Christmas Eve dinner party they have planned.”
“That sounds great! But where has Xavier been during all of this? And what about that bitch Chloe and that scumbag?”
“That’s where things get complicated.”
“… Complicated, how?”
That was the only encouragement I needed before proceeding to tell her everything. There wasn’t a moment from the last few days that I left out.
I’m panting by the time I finish, feeling more confused than I was when I first started.
I hear the sound of her letting out a breath. “Fuck, that’s a lot to unpack here.”
“Try living it.” I scoff.
“Well, first. Chloe’s a bitch, and I think she is Dalton’s karmic retribution so good luck tohim. It sounds like she’s an attention slut and hates anything that isn’t revolving around her. That’s a her problem, not ayouproblem. So, I don’t want you wasting any more time thinking about her. If she starts to talk shit, just walk away. It’s not worth your time, and shewillget hers.”
“Yeah I know, and normally I can deal with her shit, but that one day was just…too much.”
“I know, and I think you still handled it well because you didn’t let her see it. Secondly, I don’t know what it is with Xavier, but it’s clear he’s battling with something. I know you want to try and fix it, because that’s who you are, Harps. I love you for that. I just think you need to give him that space.”
I sit there, thinking about what she’s saying. She’s right, of course. But that doesn't mean I have to like her answer.
