Page 55 of A Christmas Duet

“Sorry, sorry,” her mother said, and disappeared out of sight.

Apparently, her father had been eavesdropping on their conversation as well, and had heard enough, appearing at the top of the stairs. “Julia, we’ve had a long day and a long drive. It’s time we went to bed.”

“Bed, this early?” her mother protested, clearly not interested. “It’s barely nine.”

“Bed,” Hailey’s father returned with conviction. It was the same voice he’d used when Hailey was a teen more eager to play her guitar than call it a night. From experience, she knew it would do her mother no good to argue.

Moving slowly, as if resenting his dictatorial attitude, her mother stepped out of the kitchen and headed toward the stairs.

“Good night, everyone,” she said, dragging her feet up the first step and then the next.

“Daisy,” her father called out. “Don’t you have something to do in your room?”

Her sister left the kitchen and looked at Hailey, seeking confirmation.

If anyone was to remain, Hailey wanted it to be Daisy. “She can work on the puzzle if she’d like,” Hailey inserted, happy to have her sister close at hand.

Her father nodded and then took her mother by the elbow as they disappeared upstairs.

Zach waited until both of her parents were out of sight before he spoke again. He turned to face Hailey, focusing solely on her. He leaned forward as if to emphasize his point. “You have to believe me when I say that ever since we parted, I haven’t stopped thinking about you.”

“Really?” Interesting, since she hadn’t heard a single word from him in all that time. Yup, she’d been foremost in his mind. Not. Hailey knew every word he said was a bunch of bull.

That left her to wonder about his sudden change of heart. Something must have happened. Mulling this over, she nibbled on her lower lip, mentally seeking an explanation.

“Why now?” she asked, hoping he’d be honest, especially after all this time.

He ignored the question and crooned, “I regret every minute away from you.”

That was when she figured it out. She smiled and gave a soft laugh. Someone had dumped him. Zach had been on the receiving end of a painful rejection.

Her smile appeared to encourage him. Nearly doubling over, he leaned even closer to her and said, “I made a huge mistake when I ended our relationship. All I want is to ask for a second chance.”

“Zach,” she said, holding his look.

“Yes, my love,” he all but purred.

“I’m not your love.” She needed to set the record straight for the umpteenth time. She had no idea Zach could be so obtuse.

“Yes, I realize that. I’m hoping you will give me a chance to make up for the terrible things I said so we can start again.”

“There’s something you should know.”

He sat back and reached for her hand. She waved it away, preferring that he not touch her.

“Yes? You can share anything,” he assured her, as if she was about to make some deep, dark confession.

She looked him straight in the eyes and said, “I could always tell when you were lying.”

“You think I’m lying?” he asked, as though affronted.

“No doubt in my mind. It’s validating to know you have regrets. Something’s happened for you to experience this sudden change of heart, and I’m fairly certain I know what. If you want me to say it, I will. However, I’d rather you owned up to the truth now and give up on all this less-than-heartfelt remorse.”

“You’re wrong,” he insisted. “I couldn’t be more sincere if I tried.”

“Zach?” she said, and arched her brows. “I think I see your nose growing.”

He leaned back against the sofa and exhaled loudly. “All right, if you must know, I recently broke up with someone after nearly three years.”

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