Page 21 of Check the Halls
Well done, Michaels.That sounded awful.
She blushes instantly, setting her tea down with a shake of her head, but her smile is betraying her. “Wow.” She breaks the word into three syllables.
I give her a look of mock disapproval and sigh like I’m exasperated. “Oh, come on, Madness. That’s clearly not what I meant. If we’re going to work together, I’m going to need a bit more professionalism on your part. Please. If not for my sake, for the children we’re trying to help. Think of the children.”
Maddy’s eyes roll into the back of her head. “I’ll try to do better,” she says, dryly. “For the children.”
“That’s all I ask.”
A notification sounds on her laptop and she sits up, like she’s just remembered she’s at work. “I have to jump on a Zoom call in a few minutes.”
“I’ll let you get on with your day.” We stand, both seemingly unsure on how we’re supposed to part ways. “Thanks for meeting with me on such short notice.”
“Of course. Thank you for agreeing to do this.” She walks me to the door. “I’ll be in touch with more details soon. There will be a lot of meetings and events—you’re going to be sick of me.”
Not possible.
“Sounds good,” I say with a nod. “You know my number.”
A small giggle escapes her.
“What?”
“I can’t believe you still have your old number from PEI,” she says, shaking her head.
I feel a prickle of heat creep up my neck as I shrug nonchalantly. “It still works.” I’ll never admit it, but the real reason I kept the same number all these years was the hope that one day she might call. I tap the shiny name plate on her office door. “Have a good day, Ms. Clairmont.”
“You too.”
I walk away feeling lighter than when I walked in, but still conflicted.
Part of me is thrilled. The idea of spending time with her again, of being around her after so many years apart, is almost too good to believe. I never thought I’d get that chance. Never let myselfhopefor it. And yet, here it is, right in front of me.
But it’s bittersweet.
What if we’ve changed too much? If time has reshaped us into people who no longer fit together the way we once did?
Or worse, what if wehaven’tchanged? What if we still click, still spark, still feel just as effortless as we did back then? And what if this watered-down version of us—this cautious, almost dangerous thing we’re trying to build—only leaves me wanting more?
What if I can’t be just her friend?
“Ben?”
I turn to find Maddy standing in her doorway. Her left hand is resting against the doorframe and I try to ignore the engagement ring that glints in the light.
“Yeah?”
“Why did you agree to be an ambassador?” Her expression is hesitant. Like she’s not sure if she wants to know the answer.
“I did it for you. Later, Madness.” I walk away from her like it’s easy. But it’s not. It never will be.
CHAPTER 8
MADDY
THEN
The music thuds inside, a constant, steady beat. I pull my cardigan tighter around me and lean against the frozen wooden railing of the deck, letting the frosty air bite at my cheeks. It’s quiet out here, the only sounds are the crunch of snow under my boots when I shift my weight and the occasional muffled cheer or laugh seeping through the sliding glass door behind me.
