Page 73 of Someone Like You

CiCi’s head swivels in his direction. I doubt she was expecting that, and she doesn’t seem too pleased about it.

‘Why don’t you come home with me for Christmas?’ I blurt, only realising the second the words are out of my mouth what I’ve done.

‘What? Really?’ In an instant, Raff’s countenance changes from distraught to hopeful. ‘Are you sure that wouldn’t be an imposition?’

An imposition? No. Stupid on my part? Abso-fucking-lutely.

‘Hardly,’ I say with a forced laugh. ‘You know Gina adores you. So does Dad. And you can sleep in Issy’s old room. You’d have to be my plus-one to my cousin’s wedding on Christmas Evebut other than that, Christmases at my parents’ place are pretty chill.’

Good god! Has Gaby-the-best-friend had a brain fart, forgetting there’s a new Gaby in town, one that’s fallen for Raff? Why, yes. Yes, she has!

Raff breaks into a wide grin. ‘If you’re sure?’ he asks hopefully, melting my heart. There’s no way I can rescind the offer now.

‘I’m sure. It’ll be great –betterthan great. It’ll be a blast.Andif I bring you as my date to the wedding, I won’t have to fend off sleazy groomsmen or field questions about why I’m still single. Nothing worse than relatives asking me when I’m going to find myself a decent man, especially my Aunt Christine. Sheneverlets up.’

Now I’m rabbiting on like a moron. Because Iama moron. I’ve not only invited Raff home for the holidays, I’ve also volunteered him to be my fake wedding date! And I’ve hadonemug of spiced rum since I arrived, so I can’t blame alcohol for my stupidity.

Fortunately, the only person who appears to have noticed my SNAFU is Freya, who stares at me, gobsmacked. The others, including Raff, are talking over each other excitedly.

‘Thank you, love,’ says CiCi, giving me a quick hug. ‘It means the world to us to know that Raff will be with family over Christmas.’

‘Sure thing. All good. Totally fine.’ My mind adds,Nothing to see here – just a total trainwreck waiting to happen.

‘Right, now that’s sorted, if you wouldn’t mind re-joining the party…’ says Devin, his eyebrows raised.

‘That’s Devin’s polite way of saying “Everybody out”,’ says CiCi with a laugh. She shoos us through the conservatory door and closes it behind her, and she and Devin stride off to the main part of the house to return to their party.

‘Seriously, Gabs, you’re a total lifesaver,’ says Raff, stopping mewith a hand on my arm. ‘I know it’s silly, my reaction…’ He gives me a lipless smile.

‘Not at all. I’d be pissed if my parents pulled something like that. But don’t thank me yet. Apparently, my aunt is being a total Momzilla. You may have to help me run interference.’

He laughs. ‘Sounds almost fun.’

‘It won’t be, I promise, but the rest should be.’

I’m doing my best to avoid looking at Freya, who’s standing close by wearing her I-need-to-talk-to-you-urgently expression.

‘Well, this is cause for a celebration,’ says Raff. ‘I’ll grab us some champers.’

Raff leaves to get us drinks and now there’s no avoiding Freya.

‘Is this really a good idea?’ she asks.

I heave out a sigh. ‘Honestly? Probably not, but by the time I realised what I’d said, it was too late. You saw his face, Frey. He was crushed. I haven’t seen him like that since Winnie broke up with him. And what was I supposed to do? Leave him here to have Christmas by himself?’

‘He could have gone to Lorrie’s.’

‘Well, no, because Lorrie and her kids are off to Majorca for Christmas.’

‘Oh.’

‘It’ll be fine, don’t worry,’ I say, but who am trying to convince – her or me? Because there is every chance it will be weird and uncomfortable and, quite possibly, heartbreaking.

‘It’s going to be a busy week anyway,’ I continue, affecting a casual lack of concern. ‘Lots of family around in the lead up to the wedding, and the wedding itself will eat up a day. Then Christmas with Mom and Dad, and home on the twenty-seventh. It’ll go like that,’ I add, snapping my fingers.

‘But yourfeelings, Gaby,’ she says, her eyes teeming with worry.

‘My feelings will have to wait. I mean, they have to anyway,right? Until there’s some clarity around Julia? And if Raff chooses her, they’ll have to wait indefinitely, so I may as well get used to it.’

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