Page 46 of Ten Christmases Without You
“I don’t want to press the issue in case, God forbid, it’s something that could hurt him.”
Emmy fluttered her hands in the air. “We can’t solve it right now. I managed to get this time off work from both my jobs. We’ve got a night on the town tonight, and the wedding tomorrow. Let’s enjoy ourselves.”
“You’re so right,” Madison said. “It isn’t often that I get to leave Jack at home and spend the weekend with my sister.” She made a kissy face.
“When I searched for restaurants online, I found the coolest spot. It has outdoor igloo-covered tables on the rooftop, which happens to be on this hotel.”
Madison gasped in interest.
“They have signature Peppermintinis and Spiked Hot Chocolate. Everyone in Nashville tries to go. The wait to get in is over twenty-four hours.” Emmy made a face. “Buttwo days ago, I reserved a table for us. It’s available in an hour.”
Madison’s eyes widened. “Say no more. Let’s get ready!”
Since Emmyalready had the Garnet & Petticoat dress to wear to the wedding, and all she had to buy was a matching pair of shoes, she’d splurged on a cream-colored angora wool sweater to pair with her nicest pair of jeans. With her suede boots, wool trench, and a floppy hat, she felt festive.
The hostess showed them to their table under a weather-resistant igloo draped in white Christmas lights. They ducked inside and sat across from one another, a cinnamon candle flickering between them.
Madison scooted up to the table. “This is the coolest thing.” She waved her hand around the clear-domed structure that protected their table, a white shag rug, a small wood-burning stove, and two overstuffed chairs with throw pillows. “We can see the entire city from up here.”
“It’s pretty incredible.”
Madison picked up the menu. “What are you going to have to drink?”
“I liked the sound of the Peppermintini.” She read the option on the menu: “It’s peppermint schnapps, half-and-half, with a dollop of vanilla ice cream and crushed, sweetened peppermint candy on top. How could I not get that?”
“That sounds delicious. I might get that too.”
The waitress unzipped the igloo and entered with two waters. She took their drink orders and left them alone once more.
Madison peered over the menu. “You look so pretty tonight with your hair curled. I didn’t notice before, but did you do something different with it?”
Emmy fiddled with the ends. “Yeah. I had an appointment a couple weeks ago and I got a shine treatment—it’s subtle. But we are going to a wedding after all.”
“It looks nice.”
“Thank you.” Emmy scanned the food choices. “What are you going to get?”
“The baked brie sounds good.”
“That does. The loaded baked potato is calling to me.”
“Mmm.” Madison studied the menu.
Just then, a couple heading to another igloo caught Emmy’s eye. She blinked to be sure her mind wasn’t playing tricks on her. But she was certainly seeing correctly because Madison piped up, “Is that Charlie?”
On his arm was a petite blonde in a cranberry-red figure-flattering boat-necked cocktail dress with a fur draped over her elbow. Charlie said something into her ear, and she threw her head back and laughed, her red lips curving upward around a row of perfectly white teeth.
Emmy yanked her eyes from the woman, trying not to gawk at her, and hid behind her menu. But not quickly enough as Madison caught her reaction. Her sister’s face rose over the edge of the laminated card.
“You looked freaked out just now,” Madison said.
Emmy lowered the menu. “Not freaked out. Just surprised.”
“I’ve seen you surprised. There was definite alarm in that look.”
Emmy hadn’t even had time to figure out what she felt about seeing Charlie with someone else. She glanced over at the couple, and to her horror, he was looking straight at her. Madison followed her gaze.
Charlie waved and offered a little smile.
