Page 9 of Under the Mistletoe
“Your parents’ Christmas Eve party.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“Bye, Syd.”
“Bye.”
I give him a small wave, but something tells me this isn’t a“see you later.” Jake has firmly closed the door on our past.
Ten years ago
“Are you sure you have everything, dear?”
“Yes, Mom.” I roll my eyes in annoyance. That’s the tenthtime she’s asked me that question. “Let’s go, I don’t want to miss my flight.”
“Okay, okay.”
I grab my backpack and give the house one last look. This isgoing to be my first time away from home, but destiny and my degree in FashionBusiness Management await. I just wish…. Shaking away the doubt, I turn andhead for Dad’s truck. I freeze in my tracks, finding Jake leaning against it.
“Oh, dear,” Mom whispers from behind me.
“Give us a minute?” I ask, watching them walk back into thehouse.
Gathering courage, I approach the truck. I didn’t expect tosee him. We had a huge argument a few weeks ago about me leaving, and he’s beenavoiding me ever since. This would have been so much easier for me if he hadn’tshown up. Now I’m really having doubts. His beauty has always mesmerized me,and for some reason, he’s never looked more beautiful than he does today.
Fashion has been my “thing” since I was a child—designers,haute couture, models… the works. I couldn’t afford to wear the stuff, but Ikept my mom and her sewing machine busy trying to recreate the latest styles.More than the clothes, the industry intrigued me. I’ve always known it’s whereI wanted to be. Jake didn’t care about any of thatat alland stuck tohis staples of jeans and plaid flannel shirts. Figures that’s the type of man I’dfall for. My sexy lumberjack.
“Hi.” My voice cracks with nervousness.
“So this is it? You’re really leaving?”
“Flight’s in a couple hours.”
“You’ve been talking about this day for so long. I guess Ijust never thought it would come.”
“You know this is my dream, Jake. You always knew.”
“Don’t do this, Syd,” he begs, his cool demeanor slipping.“Don’t go.”
“Jake, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’ll evenget to study inItalyfor a year.”
“And what about me? What aboutus?”
“Come with me.” I take his hands in mine. I know it’simpulsive, but I have to try. “We can do it. Come with me, Jake.”
“I need you. I need you to beherefor me. I justlost my mom, Syd. You know my dad’s cancer spread. He doesn’t have much longerand I’m all he has. I have to take care of himandrun the lumberyard.”He tugs his hands from mine, running his fingers through his hair. “Since he’sbeen sick, things have gone downhill. The business is suffering, and he doesn’thave insurance so every penny is going to his treatments. I think we’re goingto lose the house.”
“Oh, Jake… I’m so sorry.” I take a step toward him, eyesclouding with unshed tears. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Would it have made a difference?”
I glance at my luggage sitting in the bed of Dad’s truck.What do I do? Should I stay? What kind of comfort would I be to him knowingwhat I had to give up?
“It sounds crude, but if I stay here, none of that changes.What good would I be to you?”
“Syd….”
“I have to go. Don’t you get it? I need to do this for me.It may be selfish, but you asking me to stay for you? That’s you being selfish.If I do, neither of us will be happy. I’ll end up resenting you and you’llconstantly be worried about me leaving.”
