Page 16 of This Christmas

“I’m heading down to Evergreen’s. Do you want something?”

“Oh, yes. If they have corn chowder, I’ll take a bread bowl and a peppermint mocha. Here.” I hand her my credit card. “Put yours on there, too.”

“Are you sure?”

I nod. “You pick up a lot of slack during the holidays. It’s the least I can do.”

Noelle spins on her heel with her arm raised and my credit card extended in the air. She chants, “I have the best boss ever,” as she leaves.

I don’t mind paying for her lunch or picking up a coffee for her. She does the same. While we’re a firm of two and don’t have a holiday party, we will go out to dinner before Christmas, and I’ll give her a bonus. With each case I settle, I set aside a certain percentage for her. I’m not sure I’d be able to run this firm as effectively as I do without her.

While Noelle’s out getting lunch, I text my dad to let him know I need another round of trees and to expect a rush of people thanks to Jake’s effective selling methods. I turn on my computer and click on my email icon. I told myself a long time ago, I wouldn’t put the email app on my phone for work because I needed to set some boundaries, especially since I live upstairs. Having a solid work-life balance is important, but that doesn’t mean I don’t work on cases while I’m home.

“Hello?”

Zane’s voice echoes through the firehouse. While the station had been renovated, a lot of the appeal of having my business here is the character. The original fireman’s pole is still standing, along with old coat hooks and firefighter cubbies. Some walls have gone up, which were needed for insulation, but there’s no mistaking this was once an open space. It’s historic and I love it.

Until now.

I’d know his voice anywhere. Day or night. It’s distinct and haunted my dreams for many, many years. It’s a gruff, yet smooth baritone. There was a time when his voice would send chills down my spine.

It still does. Just not in the way I want.

Before I can stand, he’s in my doorway, looking as handsome as I remember. I don’t have to remind myself that I’m mad at him or hate him or whatever this emotion is I feel, but I have to pinch myself to not smile at him. It’s my automatic response.

Get a grip. He’s getting married.

“Hey,” he says as he stands before me. He’s still wearing his stupid cable-knit sweater that makes him look stupidly good, and I hate myself a little for that being the first thought that comes into my mind.

“Go away. I’m busy.”

“I heard. Town attorney, huh?”

“Are you shocked by my ability to handle a diverse caseload?”

“Not at all.”

“Let me guess, you handle the scum businesspeople of New York. The ones who steal from the poor to pad the pockets of the rich?”

Zane doesn’t answer, and I shake my head. “Wow, you became a shark. Why am I not surprised?”

“Listen.” He pushes off the doorjamb and saunters into my office like he’s a client or someone important. Zane sits in the chair across from my desk, and I’m thankful I have a buffer between us.

“I’m busy,” I tell him, again. “I have a full caseload and Christmas town duties to oversee. I don’t have time for you or your excuses.”

“I need five minutes, Eve.”

“And I need five years ago to be today so you can look into my eyes and tell me you’re leaving, instead of not showing up as promised.”

It feels amazing to say those words to him. I drop my head into my hands and groan. I may have dreamed of having this conversation, but in reality, it’s the last thing I want to do.

“Eve,” he says my name so damn softly my insides melt. “I owe you the biggest apology ever.”

“Whatever you’re selling Zane, I’m not buying. You can’t possibly think sayingI’m sorryis going to change anything. It’s over. Life moves on. You have. Congratulations. Caryn’s very nice and accommodating. Although, you might want to buy her boots if you’re planning on sticking around. Heels and Vermont don’t exactly go hand in hand during the winter. But to each their own, I suppose.”

“Are you done rambling?”

I shrug. I could ramble some more given the circumstance.

---