Page 87 of A December to Remember
She was fairly sure Star had grown out of her naked outdoor yoga phase, but it wouldn’t hurt to check.
“No need,” blustered Gerry, slapping her on the back with a meaty hand. “I’ll do the honors.” And he strode off in search of Star.
By seven o’clockevery last decoration had been hung, draped, and balanced, and everyone stood back to admire their handiwork. The effect of the bejeweled trees was one of majestic abundance. Every tree was festooned in a cornucopia of edible adornments, every branch dripped with fruit and nut embellishments, gingerbread pendants, and popcorn necklaces. It was a feast for the eyes as well as for the woodland critters, and Maggie wondered why they’d never thought to do it before. She couldn’t remember a time when she’d felt as connected to her community as she had done these last few days. It made the idea of having to leave at the end of January even more of a wrench.
The little crowd began to thin. Parents shepherded tired children home for cocoa and bedtime stories, while others headed back for well-earned glasses of wine and perhaps some last-minute present wrapping. There was a feeling of bonhomie in the air as neighbors and friends called cheery goodbyes.
Joe appeared carrying Verity, her arms tight around his neck, her legs clamped about his waist. Patrick walked beside them.
“Verity,” Maggie scolded lightly. “I’ve told you, you’re too big to make Joe carry you.”
“But I’m tired and my feet are cold. Joe doesn’t mind, do you, Joe?”
“Far be it from me to make you walk on cold ground,” he said good-naturedly.
Maggie rolled her eyes. “You’ll give yourself a hernia,” she warned. But he only laughed.
“I’ll sling you over the other shoulder if you’re not careful.”
“Youarea glutton for punishment,” Patrick joked, and Joe laughed with him.
The thought was in her head before she could check it:We sound like a family.
“What’s going onwith you and Duncan?” Simone asked in a low voice.
“Nothing,” said Star.
“Don’t give me that. A few days ago, you two were making gooey eyes at each other, which I might add was making me feel a bit sick, and now you’re acting like polite strangers. Have you had a fight?”
“No, nothing like that.”
She could see the tightness around Star’s mouth. She was keeping something back. “Then what? I know I usually give you a hard time about your taste in men, but Duncan is one of the good guys.”
“It’s probably better if he stays away from me, then.” Star’s tone was playful but edgy.
“Why would you say that?”
“I find it easier to say it before you do; it stings less. I know what you think of me, Simone. I know you don’t think I deservesomeone like Duncan, and I agree with you. Maybe he’s coming to realize it too.”
Simone was crushed. Is that how she’d made her sister feel about herself? Evette had warned her often that what she considered straight talking could be taken as unkind. And yes, sometimes she snapped out a sarcastic comment before she had time to think better of it. She and Star had certainly had their differences, and maybe in the past shehadwanted her words to hurt, but not anymore.
“Star, I think you misunderstand me. The reason I go on at you about the men you become involved with isn’t to putyoudown—it’s to try to make you see whattheyare! You deserve so much better than Stu and the like. It annoys me to no end that your bar is so low.”
“So you don’t think Duncan is too good for me?”
“No! I think Duncan would be lucky to be with you. What has always infuriated me about you is how little you think of yourself. Your shine is so effortless it’s slightly sickening. You’re like fucking Snow White with bluebirds flying around your head and you can’t even see it. I would give my left nipple to have even half your natural vivacity. And yet you sell yourself short time and again, you give all that shine to people who are unworthy of you. I haveneverthought that you didn’t deserve to be with good men, Star, quite the opposite; I didn’t feel that the boyfriends you chose were deserving ofyou.”
Star was quiet for a moment and then she asked, “Why the left nipple?”
A laugh burst out of her, and she shoved Star away hard, before yanking her back into her side and folding her arms tightly around her, kissing her head.
“It’s my least favorite one, dickhead,” she said, smiling. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Maggie doubled back from the garden gate and held her arms out for them to stop. Her expression was grim.
“I don’t want to alarm you, but Stu’s outside.”
