Page 42 of The Holiday Swap

Faye poured herself a coffee, then walked over to the kitchen table and beckoned for Charlie to join her. “ ‘Friendship,’ ” Faye said. “You have seen the way he’s been looking at you lately, right? I’ll be honest, I’d been hoping for a match even though, yes, I am aware, you were supposedly engaged to that Realtor.” The way she saidRealtor, Charlie immediately gathered that Faye was not a fan of Brett’s.Join the club, she wanted to say.

“But then I heard through the grapevine... Well, I don’t have to tell you. So I started to hope.” She shrugged, smiled. “I know I’m being quite direct here, but when you get to be my age, direct is really all you have time for.”

“Faye,” Charlie said. “I hate to disappoint you, I really do, but there’s nothing going on between us. We enjoy each other’s company.”

“Ah, well, I suppose I should allow you young people to take all the time you need, despite my own selfish wishes. And my grandson probably does need time to heal, after that mess in Colorado. The custody battle really took its toll on him. And Nadia... well. Let’s just say, she is nothing like you, Cass.”

Nadia. So that was her name. But,custody battle? Charlie needed a minute to process that. Except, of course, if she really was Jake’s good friend, she should know all about a custody battle. She nodded her head, hoping she appeared sage and knowing. “Indeed,” she said. “It really has been hard on him. It certainly isn’t the time for him to be jumping into any new relationships.”

Faye’s bright blue eyes held hers. “Cassie, on hard days, you’ve told me your doubts about Brett. And remember what I said? The only way out is through. You’re tough enough to do it, I know youare.” Then Faye stood, and clapped her hands together. “But enough serious talk. Let me cut you some of that cake I promised,” she said, her back now turned. “If I can get Cass Goodwin’s approval in the kitchen, then I’ll know I’ve really arrived.”

Charlie played with the handle of her mug as Faye bustled about the kitchen, thinking about what Faye had just said to her and staring out the windows at the distant peaks, now imagining the other mountains in Jake’s life—mountains he had told her nothing about. Nadia and Colorado. A custody battle. She had thought her life was complicated—but, it turned out, Jake’s was even more so.The only way out is through, Faye had said. She would get through this.

On the bright side, it appeared that no matter what happened, her sister had a true fan—and trusted confidante—in Faye Christie, who had placed a slice of rhubarb cake in front of Charlie and was waiting expectantly for her to taste it.

Charlie took a bite of the moist cake, which was a perfect combination of sweet and tart, and reminded her of summers gone by. “It’s delicious, Faye. Truly it is.”

Faye beamed at her and Charlie smiled, grateful for the coffee, the cake, and Faye’s wise words.

“That’s better,” Faye said. “You were looking a little downtrodden when you came in, but this fixed you right up. It’s like I always say, ‘Time heals all things. If time fails, try cake.’ ”

Charlie laughed and set another bite of the cake on her fork. “I’ll remember that one, Faye. I promise you.”

13

Cass

Sunday: 6 Days Until Christmas...

Los Angeles

Cass struggled to lift Charlie’s surfboard from the roof rack on the Prius and almost dropped it—she’d had a hard enough time getting it on the roof rack at all—just as Miguel pulled up alongside her. He jumped out of his car.

“Here, let me help with that.”

At the sight of him, she felt herself go weak at the knees—which did not help her grip on the surfboard.“Whoa...”

“Let me help you.” He smiled down at her as he supported the surfboard until she got what felt like a proper, if still slightly awkward, hold on the smooth fiberglass surface, then leaned it against the car without incident.

Cass smiled back, genuinely happy, no matter how embarrassing all her surfboard fumbling had been. Miguel had that effect on her, she was noticing.

Miguel inclined his head toward the sun rising over the ocean, holding up his phone. “I just checked the swell. It’s south/southeast today, so not as big as I like it, but it’ll do.” Cass felt relieved to hear this but tried not to show it because she didn’t want Miguel to know how utterly inexperienced she was.

“Apparently, the best waves are that way.” He gestured southwest down the beach. “You okay with walking for a bit?”

Cass tried not to grimace at the idea of carrying the board more than a few feet. “Oh, sure, of course. Wherever the best waves are, right?”

Her arms were shaking by the time they reached their destination. She put down her board and turned to the ocean. Those were what Miguel considered small swells? She watched a surfer catch and ride what looked to her like an enormous wave.

“Miguel,” she began, turning to him. “I have to admit something to you.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?” He turned away from the water to look at her. His wet suit clung to his sculpted chest and she forced herself to meet his eyes and focus on the mortifying truth she could no longer hide from him.

“I... don’t actually know how to surf. Not very well, anyway.”

She hated how confused he looked—and for a terrible moment, imagined the expression on his face if she decided to tell him everything: that not only did she not know how to surf, but she also wasn’t Charlie Goodwin.

“Really? But you look so professional with your fancy board and wet suit,” he said, the smile returning to his handsome face.

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