Page 58 of My Christmas Billionaire

I thought the same because despite everything and the fact our paths barely cross these days, I would be upset if she had called anyone else because she is my sister and I love her in a sibling rivalry kind of way.

When I cut the call, I stare at my cold cup of coffee and wonder how I’ve reached this place. It’s as if fate has conspired and dropped me headfirst into madness to teach me the meaning of life or something. I woke up today as a very different person from who I was yesterday and now nothing is normal. However, despite it all, there is one thing that is curling around my heart and squeezing new life into it, and I really hope he honours his promise to pick me up on what could well be our first proper date. The nativity play.

CHAPTER30

ROBERT

Jessica texted the time of the play and I forwarded it to my mother and as I pull up on the driveway of her sister’s house, I am strangely nervous. A lot happened yesterday and now, in the cold light of day, I wonder if those feelings remain. Will I still think of her in the same way? This yearning and need for someone like her in my life. Forherin my life.

As I head to the door, I note the festive wreath and the fake snow on the window ledge. Everything is done with precision and care and as houses go, it could star in a magazine spread for the perfect Christmas. Inside was no different and I’m guessing Jessica’s sister is like her a little, with her methodical approach to life with everything in its place, including her emotions.

Then again, her sister was arrested for a crime I have yet to learn the details of and part of me hopes it’s all been a huge mistake. Then again, she could be a master criminal and this house was paid for from the proceeds of a life of crime. It happens, I suppose.

I ring the bell and chuckle when I hear Jingle Bells echoing back at me, and as the door swings open, my heart lurches when I see the worried expression on the woman who has captured my attention from the moment she flagged down my car.

“You came.”

She seems surprised and I nod. “Of course, I never go back on my promises.”

She looks confused and I grin. “Brad. I promised I would watch him.”

“Oh, of course.”

If anything, she looks disappointed and as I step inside, I have an incredible urge to demand she gives me a chance. If I thought differently, just seeing her was enough to realise if anything my feelings for her are even stronger. She appears so dejected, as if she’s carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders and I want to be the one to lift that world into my own arms and carry it beside us so we can deal with it together.

Instead, I follow her into the warm and inviting kitchen and it’s as if I’ve come home as I gaze around at the comfortable space that wraps you in family life, promising your own will be just as good, if not better,

“How are the kids?”

I drop onto the sofa and regard her as she flicks on the kettle and begins heaping coffee into two mugs.

“They were fine. Got to school ok, despite trying everything in their power to delay the inevitability.”

She rolls her eyes and looks so gorgeous, it’s taking all my inner strength not to head across and pull her into my arms because that appears to be the only reaction I have to the woman who has taken me by surprise like this.

“I heard from my sister.”

“And?” This is news, but from the expression on her face, she’s uncomfortable about telling me.

“It’s, well, an unfortunate incident that got out of hand.”

She hands me the mug and drops beside me, and I hate that my eyes immediately go to her shapely legs that she crosses, allowing her skirt to rise a little.

I’m not really listening as she relays the story because I am fighting my attraction to her with everything I’ve got, but when her words register, I stare up in horror.

“They did what?”

Jessica blushes and looks so embarrassed it makes me laugh out loud and she says fiercely, “It’s not funny, you know. They may get a criminal record for not being able to control their carnal urges.”

I know a lot about those right now and stare at her with a desperate expression, making her snap, “What?”

“It’s not so bad.”

“You think.”

She frowns and is so like the cross fairy I first met, it makes my heart physically ache.

“Think about it. They were living in the moment. It can’t be easy being parents, I guess, and I’m sure part of them as a couple gets lost in that. Most of the time they must be responsible and do the right thing, and they are exhausted at the end of the day. I was, and I only had one day of it, not even that. I expect they fall into bed at night just grateful for sleep and probably never get time for one another. This is the perfect way to keep a marriage alive because it retains the spark, which makes for a happier family life.”

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