No way was Gideon going to make things about me. ‘This.’ Again, I indicated Gideon and Julia. ‘Is more than a look.’
Gideon narrowed his eyes. He stared at me like he was delving into my soul. ‘It seems to me there’s more to you and Alex than you’re letting on.’
Seeing him so smug, it was all I could do to keep myself from hissing. ‘Don’t you dare turn this around to make me the bad guy. I mean what am I supposed to think? For weeks now, I’ve been told you’re too busy to go to the cinema. Too busy for Erin’s party. Too busy for nights in even. You haven’t given a second thought to me or to us. Then I find you here about to enjoy hot chocolate with her.’ I scoffed. ‘A stroll around a Christmas market isn’t what anyone would call work, Gideon.’
People began to look our way, but I didn’t care. Unlike Gideon, it seemed, who doled out apologetic smiles to everyone in the vicinity.
‘You’re right. I’m sorry.’
‘Being sorry doesn’t explain what’s going on. It doesn’t explain why you didn’t think the two ofusmight enjoy being here. And it doesn’t explain why you broughtJuliainstead?’
As if hearing her name, Julia put down her mug and rose. She clearly didn’t like the attention we were garnering. ‘I’m gonna get off now,’ she said, keeping her eyes on Gideon. ‘The two of you clearly have a lot to talk about.’ Her expression seemed to say he’d got this, as if my position on the matter in no way counted. She placed a hand on Gideon’s arm. ‘We’ll catch up tomorrow, yeah?’
Gideon nodded as she turned to leave, while my jaw slackened.
‘Unbelievable,’ I said, wondering if I really was that invisible to Julia.
Gideon watched her disappear into the crowd. He turned his attention back to me. ‘Look, I invited Julia here because I needed her help.’
‘With what?’ I asked, wondering what he was talking about.
‘Choosing a gift.’
‘For who?’
Gideon sighed. ‘Who do you think?’ He stepped forward again. ‘You’re the only reason I’m here, Hattie.’ He took my hands. ‘You were right when you said I know how important this market is to you. That’s why I came. I thought getting your Christmas present here would make it extra special.’
Gideon might have appeared sincere, but that didn’t mean I believed him.
‘I’m not like you. I’m rubbish at choosing gifts.’
I recalled the discounted gym membership he’d bought me the previous year. Along with his mother’sAtkins Diet for Beginners,I’d stuck it in a drawer determined to wipe its very existence from my mind.
‘I thought rather than disappoint you, Julia could stop me from getting things completely wrong.’ He playfully rolled his eyes. ‘Don’t think I haven’t noticed you haven’t used last year’s present.’
He appeared to wait for a response, but I didn’t give him one.
He sighed. ‘To be fair, of course, I didn’t expect you to catch me out. You said you were never stepping foot in this place again.’ His expression turned earnest. ‘Do you genuinely believe if I’d known you’d changed your mind, I’d be here with someone else?’
I stared at him. ‘After Richard’s hospitalisation, I don’t know what to think. I mean, did it cross your mind that the last time I’d stepped foot inthatplace was when Gran died? And because of that, I might have needed your support? First I don’t hear from you and now this. You didn’t even send me a text, let alone call.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘Sorry?’
‘I did call.’
‘You didn’t.’
‘I most certainly did. You just didn’t answer.’
My stomach sank as I recalled the point at which my phone had rung. I could still feel the touch of Alex’s hand pressing on my waist as he pulled me close. I could see his lips moving towards mine. I blinked the image away. ‘Days later,’ I said.
‘I thought you’d want some space. Besides, that doesn’t change the fact that you didn’t pick up.’
I felt myself blush. ‘I was busy.’
Gideon raised his eyebrows. ‘Too busy to call me back?’
