Page 8 of Christmas Souls

"We used to tell each other our secrets all the time. Don't you trust me anymore?"

"You're probably the only person I trust. Next to my friend Ana Maria."

"How come I didn't know you were friends with her?"

"I used to go to the library to research everything I could about the theater and Broadway. It was close to the time I left. We just kept texting and emailing, and our friendship grew. If it wasn't for her friendship…"

"Then I'm glad you have her as a friend. Is that where you've been staying?"

"Yeah. I thought I could stay at Grandma's, but that would have been a nightmare, and Ana Maria offered."

I'm holding her tight and am worried I might not let her go when it's time to leave. She seems calmer now, and I do my best to distract her.

"What do you say we go have dinner at that place you suggested?"

"Yeah, I'd like that."

We get into my truck and we're lucky to find a parking spot right in front of the restaurant. I get the door for Mandy, and we go inside a nice, homey restaurant with great smells. Someone seats us and hands us some menus. I've got no clue what I'm reading.

"What's good here?"

"The stuffed arepas, for sure. Ana Maria swears by them."

We order and I notice Mandy seems to have composed herself. I'm desperate to know more about her life in New York, but I hate seeing her as upset as she was before. So, I keep my trap shut.

"Mandy, I've been meaning to ask you. Are you happy with the timeline for the repairs? Or do you want me to speed things up? I could put more men on the crew at the house."

"It's fine, Michael. Thank you."

"Are you happy with the way things are turning out?"

"I hired the best, and I'm getting the best. Besides, you know I'd complain if something was not up to my standards. I'm not a pushover."

"No, you are not. Mandy, about New York…"

"Let's not talk about that. Tell me about you, your family, the business. What's been going on since I left?"

I look at her face, an eager look in her eyes. She really wants to know about me and mine. There's one thing I don't want her to know, though. I spent the last five years pining for her. I couldn't go out on a date or even look at another woman in a romantic way because my heart had been torn out by Mandy Schmidt.

"The business has grown exponentially. We're thinking of opening another branch in Green Brooks. We have some cousins that live there and could become part of our team. The thing is, one of us would have to go set up camp over there and get everything up and running, and I don't think any of us is ready to do that just yet—especially Danny, who is close to becoming a father.

"I saw him at the mixer with Merry Kringle!"

"Merry Hoffer now. Well, honestly, I don't know if she's changed it."

"Is that something you would have wanted? For your wife to change her name to yours?"

I hesitate to answer this question. I want to be honest, but I know what my first instinct is. So, I fudge the truth a bit.

"I'm not sure. There are several Mrs. Hoffers now, so it could become confusing."

"You're such a liar, Michael Hoffer."

"What?"

"You may look from the outside like you’re all gentle and sweet, but deep inside, you've got a possessive streak a mile long.You'd be changing that poor woman's name before she knew what was going on."

"Poor woman? Am I that horrible of a prospect?"

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