Page 57 of Maybe This Christmas
Her life with Davis had been a step above.But she wondered if she ever truly loved him.This string of messages confirmed that even if she’d once loved him, she no longer did.She picked up her phone.
I appreciate you reaching out, but there’s nothing to talk about.I’ll be back in the city the first week of January, and then I’ll pack up my stuff and return my keys to you.
Three bubbles appeared on the screen almost instantly.
Please, Em.I just want to talk.
She would never forget the way he’d snarled at her when she’d ended things with him.Davis might have always been indifferent, but he’d never been cruel.She could never go back.
We can talk in person in January, but it won’t be about picking up where we left off.That ship has sailed.Have a Merry Christmas.
With that, she muted notifications on his messages and threw her phone back onto the bed.
She refused to let her ex put a damper on her mood.She needed to get out of this room.She showered, dressed, then left to walk to the lodge for a late breakfast.She winced against the late winter sun before going back inside to grab her sunglasses.She kept them on even after she stepped inside.Had it always been this bright in here?
Or was she just painfully hungover?
The restaurant was nearly empty, given that it was closer to lunch than breakfast.Lainey stood at the host stand, wiping down menus.
“Did those shots come back to bite you this morning?”
“No, it’s just particularly bright in here today.Must be all the windows.”
Lainey chuckled at that.“It’s a good thing you missed out on the breakfast with Santa, then.Those kids were all over the place.I know just what you need to cure your hangover.”
“Did Caleb dress up as Santa?”
“Don’t you think I would’ve mentioned it first if he had?”Lainey laughed.“His dad was on Santa duty.Now go find yourself a seat.I’ll put your breakfast order in.”
Emma bristled slightly at Lainey’s bossiness—but then she let it go.Unlike Davis’ mother, who’d been a commanding matriarchal figure, Lainey meant well.
Besides, it’s not as if Caleb hadn’t warned her how his family was.She knew what she was getting into.
She nestled into a booth by the window, set her journal on the table, and pulled out a small travel watercolor set.The hazy sunbeams stretching across the dining room floor inspired her.
Lainey swung by with a mug of coffee.“Do you need a glass of water for your paints, darlin’?”
Emma produced a water pen.“Thank you for asking, but this does the job just fine.”She squeezed the base, sending water pooling into the paint pan.
“Well, ain’t that something.You know, the biddies and I are very into arts and crafts.Are those watercolors?Maybe you could teach us a class in the new year.”
Emma reached for her pencil.“You know, I haven’t decided one way or another if I’ll be staying in the area.Everything is new.”
Lainey smirked.“You’re right.That was my assumption.I put your breakfast order in.I’ll leave you to your art.”
As Lainey retreated, Emma exhaled.Perhaps she did have a side of crankiness with her hangover.She was tired of people assuming they knew what her next move was.First Davis, assuming he could work his way back after a few texts, then Lainey.
Lainey’s assumptions were harmless, but they grated nonetheless.For the first time since she’d left college, she felt like the path of her life was truly up to her, which wasn’t as exciting as it should be.It was downright terrifying.
She shook off her bad mood and returned to her drawing.
As much as she hated to admit it, Lainey was right about breakfast.Something about a super greasy breakfast sandwich with pure maple syrup to dip it in did her queasy stomach and shitty mood wonders.
“How did everything turn out?”Lainey appeared as Emma pushed her plate away.
“I feel a lot better, thank you.”
Lainey leaned over her shoulder to look at her drawing of the breakfast room.“You’ve got real talent, Emma.That’s so lovely.You should start selling these drawings.”
