Page 87 of All My Heart

CHAPTER 22

AXEL

It was Christmas morning, and I was lying in bed with an arm folded behind my head, scrolling through Luna's social media feed. It was my new addiction.

She'd posted a new video last night. She was on a ladder putting up lights on her porch. My heart hurt because the last time she hung lights, I was there to help her. Had she fallen? Did she need me?

I couldn't look at the cabin next door with her lights and not think about her and what I was missing.

I watched the entire video, noting the growing number of followers who dropped holiday wishes and emojis in the comments.

When Luna turned toward the camera and with a big smile she said, “Merry Christmas Eve from Florida,” my heart clenched. It was like she was looking directly at me.

She'd obviously moved on and was doing just fine. She didn't need me. She didn't want me. She was happy.

I should be happy for her, but I wanted to be standing next to her in that video, helping her hang the lights. I wanted to use the machine to remove the wallpaper in the living room. I should be next to her, but she wanted to do it on her own. I had to respect that.

I went for a run, lamenting the fact that Luna wasn't next door and there was no chance I'd run into her on the trail. Who knew that running into her would change everything? That we'd embark on the renovation together and come closer than I had to anyone. That I'd fall in love with her. Luna was it for me.

She might be able to move on, but I wouldn't be able to.

Then I showered, checking periodically to see if she was posting more videos. When I didn't see one, I drove to the farm to spend time with my family. I had no reason to lounge around in bed and make a big breakfast when it was just me.

I hadn't realized how lonely I was until Luna came into my life, then left just as quickly.

“Axel. I'm surprised you're here,” Daphne said when I came into the kitchen.

“Where else would I be? I thought everyone wanted me home for the holidays.”

Daphne frowned. “How can you watch Luna's videos and not get on a plane to Florida?”

“Who says I'm watching?” I grabbed a water bottle from the fridge, needing to soothe my dry throat.

“Your jaw that's clenching as we speak,” Teddy said.

I wanted to tell him to fuck off, but Izzy was watching me with big eyes. “Merry Christmas, Iz. What did you get under the tree?”

“A bean bag chair, a tablet, and a new doll.” She held the doll up triumphantly. It was one of those that was designed to look just like her. “That's nice. But what do you need a tablet for?”

Izzy rolled her eyes. “To talk to my friends. Duh?”

“Izzy. We don't say duh,” Daphne admonished her.

Izzy's smart-aleck expression said she just did, but she wisely kept her mouth shut. Then she asked, “Where's Luna?”

My stomach tightened. “She went back home to Florida.”

Her forehead creased. “You didn't want to spend Christmas with her?”

I poked her stomach, and she giggled. “I want to spend Christmas with you.”

Daphne gave me a pointed look as she mixed the pancake batter. “Uncle Axel should be in Florida declaring his love for her.”

I sighed. “Luna's moved on, and I need to as well.”

Daphne frowned as she looked over at me. “How do you know that?”

Thankfully, Cole came into the room with Colson in his arms. “Hey, man. Good to see you.”

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