Page 81 of A Festive Surprise

‘After you surprised me by decorating this house.’ They smiled at each other and the depth of love in their eyes was overwhelming. Exactly how Farid felt when he looked at Holly. No way was this just lust.

‘Don’t give up,’ said Georgia. ‘Talk to her. One more try. The last push.’

‘She’s left the island,’ said Farid. ‘She said she was going to.’

Georgia frowned. ‘Would she visit Robyn if she was leaving?’

‘Maybe.’

‘I think she’s still here.’

Farid wasn’t so sure. He’d used up all his tries already and his body was spent. When he got back, darkness was closing in around the cottage in the late afternoon. Holly’s car wasn’t there. Had she caught the last boat and sailed away? Or perhaps she’d arranged to stay with Robyn. Maybe she was eating out. Alone? Why couldn’t she have yielded? They could be inside together, snuggling on the sofa, watching movies, cuddling, eating, drinking, kissing, and enjoying this first Christmas Eve in Scotland.

Instead, Farid went into the house, pulled on a pair of pyjamas and lay on his sofa. And so this was Christmas?

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