Page 60 of Meet Me on Christmas Eve

“Oh, Haz. So sorry.”

I felt for her, I really did.

But.

They’ve known each other for one day?

Hmm, OK.

“I know you don’t believe in love and all that,” she said between full-on sobs now. “But trust me, this guy wasitfor me. I … I fear I’ll never find this again. But I can’t imagine moving to another country.”

I understood this about her. She’d moved a lot, including living in several countries, as a child and had come into adulthood with a craving to stay in one place. The job she currently had satisfied her need for travel with her need to live in one place—anywhere, really, as long as she could stay put. “I know, but—”

“He proposed,” she blurted out.

“Wait, what?”

“Yeah, I know it sounds crazy, but that’s the thing … it didn’t feel crazy at all. I just … it’s the distance thing.”

Uh, it all sounded crazy, honestly. But I tried to go with it. “That’s so sweet. But you said no … right?”

“I said I had to think about it, but the look in his eyes … his gorgeous eyes, it was like the light went out. He knows I don’t want to move.” She stopped, and it sounded like she was blowing her nose. “Sorry, if I keep talking about this, I will just cry the whole time, and then I won’t be able to show my face to anyone later.”

“Is that …” I tried to choose my words carefully, sensing how fragile she was. “Maybe that’s for the best? It’s late, and it sounds like you’re emotionally exhausted. You should rest.”

“I’m meeting him in his room in a half hour. If I have so little time left with my soulmate, I’m not going to waste it sleeping,” she said disdainfully. “Have you forgotten what it’s like to be in love?”

I sighed, probably a little too loudly. “No, but I wish I had.”

Her tone softened. “Really?”

I debated about whether to tell her. She wasn’t in a great place right now. I'd never seen her this heartbroken, and I had watched her struggle with dating for years. But maybe some commiseration would help? As much as I hated the idea of sharing, I would have to do it eventually. Perhaps it would help her to feel less alone in her heartbreak.

“Uh, yeah, Terry and I,” I managed to say. I stopped to clear my throat. “We almost got back together, actually. We were snowed in last night at his house.”

She made a whooping sound. “What? I hope you’re planning to give me every detail, including how big—”

I chuckled despite my embarrassment. “Oh, not like that. We only kissed and talked … and talked some more. He—he said he wanted to be with me.” I swallowed the massive lump in my throat.

“Wow, I figured he was still into you, but I’m kind of surprised he just went for it.”

Puzzled, I frowned. “If you thought that, why would it be surprising?”

“Well, because it’s you and …” she trailed off, suddenly sounding uncertain.

“And? What about me?” I probably sounded a bit defensive, expecting the worst.

“I mean, you’re a little intimidating sometimes. That’s all. It’s fine, Mari,” she said lightly.

“I—what—never mind,” I said, blowing out a breath to gain some control of my firing emotions. “Anyway, I found out Nina is his grandma. Can you believe it?” I heard her gasp on the other line. “Yeah, I was shocked too. And that’s why Jane’s not looking to sell … because they want it to stay in the family, apparently through Terry.”

“Oh wow, I did not see that coming. Still, I guess it explains a lot.” Her tone was so nonchalant that I wondered if she truly understood what this meant for us. “So back to you and Terry … you said youalmostgot together. What stopped you?”

Wasn’t it obvious?

“Uh, I mean, the business thing—”

“Well, yeah, it’s a wrinkle in your plans, but what’s the real reason? Is it because you just couldn’t forgive him for what happened 10 years ago? For ghosting you?”

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