Page 2 of One Night at Christmas

“You have your whole life planned out. Ever since you can remember, you’ve wanted one thing—to be rich. And you’re doing all you can to get there. Including marrying a rich and powerful wife. Or did you forget her too? Your fiancée?”

“I’m not engaged yet.”

“But you might as well be.”

“But not yet,” he insisted. “The negotiations haven’t been settled, and I haven’t of

ficially asked. She and I both know it depends on how things turn out with the Wolman deal.”

Charon frowned in disgust. “See what I’m saying? You don’t even like Gretchen from the way I’ve heard you talk about her. The two of you haven’t dated, unless you count working dinners. It’s all about the money and connections. I’m not like that. Nor can I ever be like that. Money means nothing to me. All I want—”

“Is love.”

She glared at him.

“Oh sorry. I thought that was what you were going to say.”

“You did not.”

His expression softened. “I know. You want an ordinary boring life.”

“Ordinary. Not boring. Why do I talk to you again?”

“Boring life?”

“Bye, Bryson.”

“Wait!” He held up his hands. “I apologize. I’ll behave. Don’t go. The best part of my day is talking to you.”

The butterflies came back. She looked away from the screen. “Don’t talk like that. Anyway, as I was saying, you want one thing. I want another. Meeting in real life would complicate the works.”

“Alright, forget I suggested it. What about you? Is he still around?”

She didn’t want to answer. Bryson knew all about her boyfriend Morris, the guy who came closer to being a match for her in terms of goals but who she didn’t love. Morris had actually asked her to marry him six months ago. She turned him down.

Since the proposal she and Morris were on again, off again. Last week, he broke it off, pissed because she wouldn’t commit to him. She hadn’t heard anything since, but she was pretty sure he would call soon. The question was, would she go back to him. Christmas was the day after tomorrow. They had spent the last two Christmases together, and if he didn’t call she would spend this one alone, having no family.

“If by he you mean Morris, then …yes.” She only hesitated a little. When she realized she loved Bryson, she started keeping her real feelings about him and about Morris to herself. Bryson believed she cared more about her boyfriend than she actually did. It was her way of protecting herself.

“So you got back together? You said last week you were taking a break.”

Crap!

She forgot she had blurted it out. Bryson knew they had issues, but so did every couple. Although he didn’t seem to like Morris, he had always encouraged her that everything would be fine. He tossed out compliments as easily as breathing. He’d say as beautiful as she was, her ex-boyfriend would be a fool to blow the relationship.

She refused to admit the problem was her more than Morris. Not that Morris was perfect. Hell, if he were, she wouldn’t find so much pleasure in her friendship with Bryson. Besides she and Bryson were friends long before she met Morris. How could she give Bryson up when one of them got married? It seemed impossible, but she had vowed she wouldn’t keep pining after a man when one of them tied the knot. Her value system didn’t allow for it.

And yet you haven’t told Morris about Bryson.

“Bryson, have you told Gretchen about me?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

He held up a bite of crepe, and she held up hers. They toasted each other with the food and ate together.

“Mm, good. You’re a great cook.”

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