I lean back against the couch. “I’ve never wanted to put Ollie and Frankie through that.”
“That’s just it! Miles will say anything, and he did. He doesn’t care and will do anything to paint himself as the poor, lonely dad who doesn’t get to see his kids. Your boss and friends will find out anyway. Sarah, you need all the help you can get.”
Rox is right. Miles will do whatever is necessary to cover his ass. Hell, he told the network executives that we’re still a family and intends to pretend we are.
I need to consider discussing this with Kat or Griffin and assess the risk of bringing my personal issues into the office, which is my only source of income.
I change the subject, wanting Christmas Day to be about more than Miles and this. “Have you heard anything from Leo?”
I roll the Little People bus I found for Frankie in front of her so she can set the plastic figures inside.
“No, he said he’s traveling overseas. We decided to hold off on breaking the big news until we can do it together.”
“Rox, you haven’t even seen him in years, and you’re just going to announce you’re getting married. Maybe you should go on a date first.”
“Nah. It’s best to just shock the shit right out of their stiff asses.”
I can hear her grin. “I’m not sure Leo knows what he’s getting into.”
“He sure doesn’t. I’m looking at it as the adventure of a lifetime. I’ll make it my mission to keep the nerdy-by-nature genius on his quiet toes.”
Ollie stands. “M-mama, I gotta poop.”
“Ok. Go.”
He jumps over the train.
“I’ll have to wipe a butt in a minute.”
“I’d rather be wiping butts. I’ll be stuck at a table, wanting to pierce my eardrum with a fork so I don’t have to listen to them drone on about the latest country club gossip with who’s married and pregnant and doing due diligence to carry on the family line.”
“Now, that’s the Christmas Spirit!” I say, and she groans.
“Hey, listen, missy. One of us needs to Christmas the shit of this day. I’m nominating you as tribute. So, you march your cute, sassy butt over there and get more kissing action. Chop-chop. Maybe even go super wild and make out.”
“Friends, Rox. I need friends.”
“Ooohhhh, you need a lot more than that, sister.”
I roll my eyes but smile. “Merry Christmas, Rox.”
“I love you,” she sings. “I’ll be soaking in a bath to detox from misery, so I expect a detailed recount of all the delicious things.”
“Love you, too.”
My stomach swirls, thinking about kissing Slade again. I have no idea what to expect when I see him today, and I’m nervous. I threw myself at him last night, which might have been a mistake. I don’t want it to be, but what I told Roxie is true. I won’t hurt him or let anything screw up our friendship. The problem is my neighbor has snuck in and made me care about him far more than I realized.
I’ll just go and pretend everything is normal. Like, launching myself at him in my driveway didn’t happen. I can do that.
“Mom, I gots poop on my hand!” Ollie hollers.
“Hold on. Don’t touch anything.” I climb to my feet.
Slade is always telling me everything is fine. It has to be. At least for today, I’m going to believe that what I did last night will be ok.
Who am I kidding? It’ll be a Christmas miracle if I can do anything other than think about needing that man to kiss me again.
Chapter 41
