Page 26 of The Holiday Ex-Files

“Please, Claudia can do anything. And I mean anything. I saw her in action.” I grabbed my stomach while it roiled.

“Claudia,” he hissed her name, “is a fake. I think Ben is beginning to see that.”

I wasn’t sure if I believed that. “I don’t care what Ben does, as long as he leaves me alone.” My voice went way too pitchy.

Noah carefully held Neville in one arm while using his free hand to rub my arm. “Cams, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“You didn’t.”

“You’re a liar.” He grinned. “Let me make amends by taking you to dinner. To make you feel better, you can bare your soul to me over barbecue chicken pizza and red cream soda.”

Two of my favorites. I was touched he still remembered, but . . . “You don’t have to do that.”

“What are friends for?” He gave me his most charming smile.

“Noah, it’s . . . I mean, you—”

“Cams,” he cut me off, “I know what you’re going to say. It’s hard to be around me because of Ben. But the only way to get over hard things is to face them, just like Neville did today. Maybe . . . and this is just a guess, but perhaps you’ve been the one holding Neville—and yourself—back.”

My brow hit my hairline while I shifted uncomfortably. He really was turning into Oprah. I didn’t like it. The truth cut like a knife.

When I didn’t answer, he said, “Sometimes you have to fight for what you want. Like I said on Sunday, if you want to find the woman in the picture, I’ll jump in the ring and go as many rounds as it takes.”

I blinked back the tears stinging my eyes. He had no idea what that meant to me, but the truth was, I was afraid of stepping into the ring. Fighting meant I could get hurt. You never really stopped hurting, Miss Sparkly reminded me. Myself was really getting on my nerves with all her truth bombs. But she was right. I mean, I was right.

Noah stepped closer; his eyes dared me to take him up on his offer. He held up Neville. “Do it for your dog.” He made me laugh.

“Well . . . I am hungry.”

“I can fix that.”

Miss Sparkly popped into my head with an unexpected question. What else do you think he could fix?

How would I know?

I think maybe we should find out.

I think you should quit talking now.

I think you’re afraid to find out.

I think you’re right.

Chapter Eight

Hey, Ex-Filers, sorry for all the posts today, but I have a serious question: What’s everyone wearing to the Halloween Bash? I still need to pick out my costume. I’m feeling some witchy vibes. Drop me some ideas.

Lots of love,

Cami

I paced the floor with Neville, waiting for Noah to return. We couldn’t go out to eat because Neville had apparently had too much excitement for one day and when I tried to leave him, he’d made the most gut-wrenching sound I’d ever heard and tried to scramble up my legs. It would appear we both had some major issues. Trusting in ourselves being one of them. Or maybe Neville heard voices too.

Noah was kind enough to go get the food. Actually, Noah was being more than kind. I was trying not to be suspicious about it, but you know, trust issues. Seeing your husband fornicating under your beloved tree kind of does that to you. I wasn’t sure what Noah would want from me, other than free ex-cropping services. That was a no go, though I should probably give him a frequent flier discount or something for as often as he used me. Or I should up my prices to deter him. Seriously, he was getting ridiculous about it. But I couldn’t think too ill of him. He was being awfully kind. Even if he was calling me out.

Believe me, plenty before him had tried to point out the error of my ways, but no one had ever said they would fight the battle with me. Not even Mara. But that was because Mara championed this new me. Which was exactly what I needed after the divorce. Only she truly knew what I had lost. It was more than just me. Her acceptance of who emerged out of the ashes was a lifeline, and I adored her for it. However, I wasn’t exactly feeling comfortable in this new skin anymore. Yet I was afraid to shed it. I didn’t know what that meant for me. I mean, I built a brand around this tough girl. I had people counting on my snark. Could you be snarky and sparkly at the same time? I didn’t know. And I was absolutely terrified of what would be on the other side if I peeled the layers back. Exposed skin could get burned.

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