Page 29 of A Little Merry

I opened the door, and they all shuffled out together, leaving Lucas and me alone.

As soon as I turned back towards him, he said, “Connor tells me you’re married to this guy. Is that true?”

“It’s a long story, but yes, I am or at least I think I still am.”

“And you didn’t think to tell us?” He looked saddened by the whole thing. And a little put off by it as well.

“I was hoping I could tell you and the guys the whole story in the morning,” I told him after I let out a big yawn. “Is that still possible?”

He stacked the dishes and brought them into the kitchen. I followed right behind him with glasses and flatware. “If you’re up to it, I’d really like to hear that story now. The thing is, if Billy Ray hadn’t shown up tonight, when were you going to tell us?”

“I thought that by now, I would’ve heard that the annulment was final, but I guess he either never signed the paperwork, or he never filed it. Either way, that’s no excuse, and I’m sorry.”

“Your apology is a start, but I’d still like to hear some of the details.”

I could tell he wasn’t about to give up on this, and I was so dead on my feet, I could hardly keep my eyes open.

“Aren’t you tired?” I asked, hoping he would admit that he was.

“Wiped, but this is important.”

I knew I wouldn’t win this.

“Can I change out of this dress first? I’m cold and uncomfortable.”

“Sure,” he said, while he loaded the dishwasher. “I’ll make some hot water for tea.”

“I’ve had enough tea. I’d prefer wine if that’s okay. I think there’s a bottle of white in the fridge,” I told him, hoping he’d be okay with the idea.

“Meet you in the living room in five,” he said, and I took off for my bedroom.

I quickly changed into sweats and pulled my hair up with a clip, then stepped into my fuzzy slippers. I stripped off most of my makeup, except for some mascara, and rubbed in some lotion.

I couldn’t look worse if I’d tried. No way did I want Lucas thinking this evening might lead to sex, not that he would, but I didn’t know him well enough to rule it out completely.

When I walked back into the living room, Lucas had turned the bright lights off, and all that was left were the lights on the tree and the glow from my little fireplace.

Cozy and warm, just the way I liked it. Plus, it was still snowing outside.

As soon as I sat across from him on the sofa, he poured Pinot Grigio into a glass and handed it to me. Next to Prosecco, it was my favorite wine.

“Now, do you want to tell me about this marriage?” he asked as he settled in and laid an arm across the back of the sofa. “Connor also said there were a couple of kids involved.”

He looked so handsome in the lowlight that if I wasn’t so tired and still upset over Billy Ray, I would have loved to cuddle up in his strong arms, watching the snow fall from outside my windows. Instead, we sat on opposite ends of my sofa, like strangers.

“I’ll tell you everything, but first… how did Ethan do?”

“He sold half of his inventory, with folks promising to come back tomorrow. Even the more expensive painting sold. If this snow ever stops and we can open again, he’ll probably sell everything else. People absolutely love his stuff.”

“I would’ve liked to have seen that.”

I truly would have. Ethan was responsible for my move here.

“You still can, tomorrow. We’d just finished crating everything up and bringing it back inside when I got Connor’s text message. So, what the hell, Merry?”

I took a deep breath and let it out. “I’ve known Billy Ray since I was a kid, since way before he went into the military. I attended his wedding with my mom. He and I were friends, and even though I was a lot younger, he was always kind to me.”

“How the hell did you end up married to the guy? He could almost be your dad?”

---