Page 33 of Christmas On Anchor Island

“Hey,” he said, and Mia turned his way. “That scene back there was my fault. I’m worried more about your feelings than about mine right now.”

She thought they’d already established the issue. “If I hadn’t been trying to keep my secret, none of that would have happened.”

“Mia, your sexuality is your own business. You aren’t obligated to tell me or anyone else.”

“Grandma wouldn’t agree with you.”

He flipped on the blinker to make a right at the stop sign. “Maybe she’s one person you could have told, but that doesn’t justify her determination to find you a date. She told me you were interested, but too shy to let me know yourself. It’s safe to assume that was a stretch on her part.”

“She told you that?”

Jeremy nodded. “She did. She said you just needed a little nudge, and that’s why I kept hinting at us getting together but not outright asking you on a date. I figured at some point you’d give me a sign. What I missed was that you were giving me signs all along, and I failed to read them.”

This explained so much.

“I can’t believe she lied like that.”

“She didn’t lie to hurt you, just like you weren’t trying to hurt her either. Now that everything is out in the open, this could be a good thing. This is the time of year for new beginnings, right?”

Yes. Yes, it was.

As the car came to a stop before her cottage, Mia unhooked her seat belt. “I’m sorry, Jeremy.”

“You don’t need to apologize.”

“Yes, I do. You’re a really good guy, and I hope you find someone who deserves you.”

Dark eyes sparkled as he flashed a crooked grin. “The dating pool isn’t all that deep on this island, and now the prettiest girl is no longer an option. My hopes aren’t high.”

Leaning over the console, Mia kissed his cheek. “Never give up hope. Merry Christmas, Jeremy.”

“Merry Christmas, Mia.”

Ready for a long overdue conversation, she climbed out of the car and hurried onto her porch, turning to give Jeremy a wave as he drove off. Olaf’s truck sat in front of Grandma’s house, and she had no intention of having this conversation with an audience. She would have to wait, but this was happening tonight no matter what.

* * *

“You didn’t come backto the dinner,” Callie said as she crept into Henri’s dark room. She’d been sitting in front of the window watching the waves until it had grown too dark to see them. The never-ending sound of water crashing on the sand echoed across the beach, and Henri felt like those waves were a metaphor for her life.

She rolled onto this island and back off again, getting nothing but sand in her shoes and another hole in her heart.

“I wasn’t feeling very festive,” she replied.

Callie sat down on the bed. “Did you catch her?”

Henri nodded but stayed silent.

“Was she okay?”

“She was angry and embarrassed and not interested in my help whatsoever.”

A gentle hand squeezed Henri’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. I thought you were the one person she’d turn to.”

“Nope.” Still bothered by Mia’s words, she said, “Do you think I’m selfish?”

“What? Where would you get that idea?”

“I come and go as I please. When deciding what I want to do, I don’t consider anyone but myself.”

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