Page 95 of Only for Christmas

‘How do you feel about him?’ Jafrina’s tone was kinder than Georgia’s.

‘I’ve no idea,’ Sarah answered honestly, slumping back in the chair. ‘Anyway, it’s not relevant. I’ve no intention of getting involved with anyone, so what does it matter how I feel?’

Jafrina stood and brushed the creases from her top. ‘It matters, because falling in love doesn’t happen every day. I get why you’ve steered clear of relationships; it was understandable, and dating for the sake of it would be pointless, I agree. But turning away from a real chance of happiness on nothing more than principle is self-sabotage… and that’s something you might come to deeply regret.’ She came over and knelt next to Sarah. ‘You need to be sure you’re rejecting Lucas because he’s not the right man for you, and not because you think you’re not ready to start dating again. So I’ll ask the question again: how do you feel about him?’ Her hand rested on Sarah’s arm. ‘Do you like him?’

Well, that was a no-brainer. ‘Of course I do.’

‘Does he make you laugh?’

Like no one before. ‘Yes.’

Georgia rolled off the sofa and shuffled over on her knees. ‘Do you want to remove his clothes with your teeth and lick his—’

Jafrina slapped a hand over Georgia’s mouth. ‘What she means is… are you physically attracted to him?’

Sarah felt nodding an affirmative was safer than audibly moaning.

Jafrina squeezed Sarah’s arm. ‘Do you feel happier when he’s around?’

‘Yes.’

‘Do you miss him when you’re not with him?’

Sarah’s throat was getting lumpier by the second. ‘Yes.’

Georgia removed Jafrina’s hand from her mouth. ‘And what do you feel right at this moment, having just watched him drive away?’

Sarah closed her eyes. ‘Sick to my stomach.’

‘You see!’ Georgia smacked the arm of the chair.

Jafrina shook Sarah’s arm, forcing her to open her eyes. ‘I hate to break it to you, Sarah. But you’re in love with him, too.’

Georgia shoved Jafrina. ‘Uh, duh, well of course she is. Any dummy can see that.’

Sarah blinked. ‘I am?’

‘You are,’ they said in unison.

‘The question is… what are you going to do about it?’ Georgia rested her elbows on the arm of the chair. ‘The way I see it, you have two options. Stay here, and slowly shrivel away until you turn into Miss Havisham and become a sad bitter old lady whose only companion is a dead cat—’

It was Jafrina’s turn to shove Georgia. ‘Or… you become the leading lady in your own romcom and race after him to the airport and tell him you love him and you want him to stay.’

Sarah felt overwhelmed with them both crowding her. She got up and stepped over them. ‘Oh, crikey. I don’t know what to do.’

Georgia scrabbled to her feet. ‘It’s easy… Miss Havisham or Julia Roberts?’

Jafrina was up on her feet too. ‘Living alone… or living happily ever after?’

Georgia tripped over her boots as she advanced on Sarah. ‘Dead cat… or kissing a hottie doctor?’

Jafrina swerved around the coffee table. ‘Remaining heartbroken… or seizing the opportunity for love?’

They were backing her across the lounge at a rapid rate, firing interrogation questions at her.

Sarah smacked into the dresser behind. ‘Okay… okay, I’ll do it!’ she said, mostly to end the onslaught. ‘Call me an Uber.’

‘No need.’ Georgia grabbed her hand. ‘Your taxi awaits. I’ll take you.’

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