Page 59 of Christmas in Paradise

“Then you have Gia, on the other hand,” Steve jumps in, and I am here for all of it. “Babying Seb to make up for Mike not being around and to soften Jim’s influence, but also reinforcing gender roles like women do all the cooking, cleaning, and taking care of kids.”

“Not that there’s anything wrong with couples following traditional gender roles, as long as they’re doing it because it’s what works best for the families,” Carson’s head bobs back and forth and his voice grows louder. “Not because they think biology determines who’s capable of washing dishes. I just hate--”

“—Let’s not get off topic here.” Steve holds up his hand, and I suspect that the topic of gender roles in society is a passion of Carson’s.

Carson takes a breath like he’s about to say more, with a warning look from Steve, he closes his mouth and lets Steve talk.

“The point is, you’re not wrong about Seb needing to make big changes if you want a partner to help you raise Charly,” he says.

I nod. “I do want a partner.” Not just a relationship. A partner. Someone to work with me, side-by-side.

“And you’re not wrong noticing that he’s trying.” Carson leans over his desk and clasps his hands together. “While also recognizing he’s going to feel overwhelmed in the process of figuring out the world doesn’t revolve around him.”

“Okay, so what do I do?”

Because now I’m the one feeling overwhelmed. Walking away from the possibility of Seb and me is one thing. A future where I might have to walk away from the reality of us because Seb isn’t able to be what Charly and I need him to be is an entirely different thing.

I’m surprised at the direction of my own thoughts and don’t want to spin out—but Charly changed everything for me; is Seb up for that? Do I have what it takes to help him be the guy we would need him to be?

“If you don’t want him to give up on you, meet him halfway,” Carson says, waving his hands with dramatic effect. “Show him his efforts are worth the… well, the effort.”

“When he gets discouraged, don’t let him give up. Fight for him the way he’s been willing to fight for you,” Steve says in his deep, calm voice.

Carson and Steve are complete opposites, but between the two of them, I’m feeling a little steadier again. I know what to do, even if I’m not quite sure how to do it.

“Okay. I can fight,” I say with a confidence that deflates too quickly. “Where do I start?”

Carson raises an eyebrow. “We start by planning what we’re being paid to plan, Yulefest.”

My heart sinks. After all the advice they’ve given me, I’m suddenly rudderless.

But then Carson adds, “and while we plan, we find ways to ‘need’ Seb’s help. For example, scoping out the Old Barn to talk about electricity .”

For half a second, I miss his pointed reference. Then it hits me, and my whole body lifts. “I knew that’s why you sent me to the Old Barn with Seb! I thought it was weird we couldn’t just make the plans here. You little match maker, you!”

Knowing Carson has had my back all along restores my confidence, with an extra scoop of determination on top.

As we go down our list of Yulefest events, I find all the places Seb and I could work together, and the ones Charly could also “assist” with, giving Seb the chance to get to know her better. Because, if my suspicions are right, the more time he spends with Charly, the more his confidence about taking care of her will grow.

I don’tneedSeb to take care of us, but maybe I want him to.

The way last night ended was a setback, that’s all.

If I can help him see that—help him see setbacks are a normal part of every relationship, especially when it comes to parenting—then maybe I’ll get the only gift I’ve decided I want for Christmas…

A second chance with Seb.

Chapter 19

Sebastian

I’m too focused on loading spools of Christmas lights into my truck to take notice of the car parked next to me. I’m backed into the spot that’s right outside the back entrance to my shop, so maybe the car pulled in while I was inside grabbing more lights.

Or maybe I’m too stressed to notice anything other than the job at hand. I’ve got two weeks to finish stringing a million lights over every square inch of Main Street, so yeah, I’m a little preoccupied.

Then there’s the fact that the only thing my brain has wanted to focus on for the last three days is the one person I’m trying to forget.

Or at least not think about twenty-four/seven.

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