Page 32 of The Merriest Christmas
"Flattery doesn't work on me."
"Oh, I know.Did you get me something?"
I could feel him smiling at me but refused to look.It was easier that way.
For me at least.
"It's been a long time," I said."I don't think I could even begin to guess what you want."
"Honestly, it feels good just to be around you again."
My heart skipped.
"Like I said, I missed you."
"Maybe you shouldn't have left then," I mumbled then gave myself a mental slap.I shouldn't have said that.The statement was too telling.
Seaver was silent a moment as I continued to wrap gifts, hoping against hope that he'd let it go.
"Maybe you're right," he said.
"I'm always right," I said brightly.
For the next few seconds, we both did an admirable job of ignoring the elephant in the room.But then Seaver had to go and ruin it.
"You know, I heard what you said to Rose."
My eyes shot to his face at that.
Seaver gave me a half-smile."Paper thin walls, remember?"
I looked back down, hardly able to see what I was doing."So, you heard…?"
"Everything," he confirmed.
"Ah."
Could you die of embarrassment?
I didn't know, but it felt like a real possibility as I sat there next to the boy, now man, I used to love, feeling completely exposed.I started wrapping the gifts faster in hopes of a quick escape.The couch dipped as he turned to face me.
"It made me realize there are a few things we should clear up," he said.
"Oh, there's no need for that," I said.
"I think there is."
I didn't respond.
"Emilia, will you look at me?"
"But I still have gifts to wrap."
His fingers were gentle as he turned my head to face him.
Seaver's gaze met mine, and I couldn't look away.
"You were right about one thing," he said."I should never have left like that.There was a good reason, a very good one.But…I shouldn't have disappeared on you, and I'm sorry."
