Page 61 of Maybe This Christmas
“Thank you for being honest with me about how you’re feeling.It’s refreshing after my last relationship.”
Before he could reply, his mother ran through the kitchen.“They over-fried the damn turkey; would you believe it?It looks like shoe leather.”
She grabbed the trash can from under the sink and was gone again.Caleb turned to Emma.
“You sure my family isn’t too crazy for you?”
She smiled.“Maybe a little, but I think I can manage it.”
* * * *
They ended up having a ‘sides-only’ dinner, as Caleb’s mom called it.Her trifle had gone over a treat.Or they were just being polite.Emma could never quite tell with the Ellises.
She was too new to be on the brunt of their honesty.
Toward the end of the dinner, she found herself in conversation with Sebastian.They had a lot to talk about, given that he had opened Loaved Up earlier this year.She discovered that he had a background in finance, making him a powerful ally if she decided to start the business.
If only she didn’t have those niggling doubts in the back of her mind.She’d become used to the struggle throughout her life.Even during her relationship with Davis, she’d never completely ditched the feeling that her life could crumble at any moment.
She knew now that was probably why she’d stayed with him for so long.He provided a sense of security.
Still, this seemed too easy.Everything was falling together so quickly that she couldn’t help but be skeptical.Especially as Sebastian went over the costs of opening a business.
“Emma, hello?Are you still in there?”Sebastian waved a hand in front of her face.
“Sorry, I checked out when you started discussing numbers with multiple zeros after them.”
He laughed at that.“It isn’t cheap to open a business, that’s for sure.But if you’re worried, I’d be happy to help run some numbers for you.Obviously, everything will remain confidential between us.”
She was a bit like a dragon hoarding gold when it came to her savings.Looking at the numbers in her different accounts reassured her.She had a fallback plan.She’d never be dependent on anyone else again, if she chose to go the hermit in the woods route.
This venture would take up most of her savings.And what did she have for collateral for a business loan?Um, nothing except my hopes and dreams.
“What were you thinking about calling the shop?Just so I know what to refer to the project as in my paperwork?”Sebastian gazed at her, phone in hand.
“Yours Truly.”The words came out before Emma even registered them.“Yours Truly Stationery & Gifts,” she clarified.
Sebastian’s smirk was very similar to Caleb’s.“Well, all right then.How about you come back to town in a few days and we can go over a plan?I’ll text you for more info in the meantime.”
Emma’s gaze carried across the room, where Caleb was tossing one of his nephews up into the air.Sebastian followed her gaze.“Hey, watch out for the ceiling fan!”
Caleb set Graham onto the floor.“Sorry.You know how I can get.”
Emma realized then that she didnotknow how Caleb could be.She’d only known him for a week.Nervousness bubbled up inside her.
Sebastian shook his head.“Does that sound good?”
Emma blinked slowly, trying to keep the creeping panic out of her eyes.
“Sounds like a plan.”
She’d be a fool to at least not consider this option.After all, it wasn’t like she had much of a life waiting for her back in DC.
Chapter Twenty-One
The closer the days drew to Christmas, the busier Caleb became.In addition to running breakfasts, he arranged guest shuttles to the nearby ski resort, cookie decorating competitions, present wrapping sessions, and this morning’s event, one he hoped to wipe from his memory—Sweatin’ with Santa.
Twenty of the fifty-five-and-over club dressed in their Christmas best and boogied down to upbeat Christmas songs.Of course, every one of the biddies had been in attendance.Thankfully, he hadn’t had to lead the crowd—they’d hired a professional for that—but he’d found himself going hip-to-hip with several of the guests.Maybe the last two weeks had changed him, because he found himself actuallyenjoyingit.Even with an itchy face from the beard glue, and an ache in his hips from all the dancing.
