Page 77 of The Love Losers

Her eyes skewer into me. “But you need to know, and I very much doubt he would have told you.”

I’m more troubled by this than I care to show her.

The discussion shifts to menial things. Do I want anyone else invited to the wedding?

Seamus.

Does it bother me that my wedding was designed for someone else?

No, because it will enrage Nina.

And then I tell her a bit about our morning with them.

“Did she seem upset?” she asks, her eyes gleaming.

“Pissed off.”

“Good.”

Anthony returns with the sparkling water, and he instantly pulls me out into the hall. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I say, reaching up to trace the side of his face. It’s cold, so I keep my hand there to warm him. “But I need to talk Joy into making the move to my brother’s house for the holiday. The longer I wait, the more Christmas will explode in my apartment. It’s better for everyone if I leave now.”

He glances at the closed door to the drawing room. “My mother didn’t—”

I cup his face. “She didn’t do anything. But shedidmention you have a rose garden, so obviously you’ve been holding out on me. We’re going to have a picnic there tomorrow. It’s on my bucket list now, so we really have no choice.”

It’s cold outside, and it’s supposed to be colder tomorrow, but he doesn’t hesitate. “I’ll make the arrangements. Let me take you back to Joy.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

ROSIE

I forgot my keys this morning, but a kind and much-too trusting soul lets us into the building. When I knock on the apartment door, Joy calls out, “Just a minute!” But it’s at least three, maybe even five, before she opens the door. The reason is apparent as soon as we step in. My elderly friend must have risked a fall and a rap to the hip to hang mistletoe on the ceiling directly in front of the door.

“Oh, look, there’s mistletoe,” she says, as if an elf snuck in there and hung it. Anthony gives her a strained smile but leans in and kisses me. Softly. Gently. Like helovesme.

I still feel the ache of him inside of me and the confusion and worry in my gut.

Anthony rests his forehead against mine for a second before pulling away. “Please text me when you get to your brother’s place.”

“I will.” I nod.

He smiles at Joy, who taps her cheek. “I’m under the mistletoe too, you handsome devil.”

His smile stretches wider, and he stoops to kiss her on the cheek before leaving. Joy and I both watch him go, and she shuts the door behind him and turns to me.

I tap my cheek, raising my eyebrows, and she laughs and pecks me on the cheek, then swats my bottom. She’s practically humming with excitement, and even though worry is still writhing around inside of me, I can’t help but catch some of her joy. “You’re in love, Rosie. I’m going to make us a pot of tea to celebrate.”

“I wouldn’t say I’min love,” I tell her, laughing, but there’s a hollowness to the words, because I know I’m sliding into love. I’m on a precipice that’s full of pebbled rocks, and all it would take is a single slip. “You know, you shouldn’t have risked hanging the mistletoe,” I add. “If you fell…”

“Mortimer wouldn’t let me fall,” she insists, already bustling off to the kitchen. “I feel his presence very strongly today. All of that love energy you’re putting out is pulling him in.”

I put a hand around my throat as if I could stop the energy from pulsing through me and addling my mind. Then I follow her to watch as she puts together a tea blend.

“Do you think his presence could follow you to my brother’s house?”

She glances up. “Of course, Rosie. He’s a spirit. He doesn’t have to stay attached to one place like a piece of mistletoe.”

---