Page 32 of The Merriest Christmas

"Flattery doesn't work on me."

"Oh, I know.Did you get me something?"

I could feel him smiling at me but refused to look.It was easier that way.

For me at least.

"It's been a long time," I said."I don't think I could even begin to guess what you want."

"Honestly, it feels good just to be around you again."

My heart skipped.

"Like I said, I missed you."

"Maybe you shouldn't have left then," I mumbled then gave myself a mental slap.I shouldn't have said that.The statement was too telling.

Seaver was silent a moment as I continued to wrap gifts, hoping against hope that he'd let it go.

"Maybe you're right," he said.

"I'm always right," I said brightly.

For the next few seconds, we both did an admirable job of ignoring the elephant in the room.But then Seaver had to go and ruin it.

"You know, I heard what you said to Rose."

My eyes shot to his face at that.

Seaver gave me a half-smile."Paper thin walls, remember?"

I looked back down, hardly able to see what I was doing."So, you heard…?"

"Everything," he confirmed.

"Ah."

Could you die of embarrassment?

I didn't know, but it felt like a real possibility as I sat there next to the boy, now man, I used to love, feeling completely exposed.I started wrapping the gifts faster in hopes of a quick escape.The couch dipped as he turned to face me.

"It made me realize there are a few things we should clear up," he said.

"Oh, there's no need for that," I said.

"I think there is."

I didn't respond.

"Emilia, will you look at me?"

"But I still have gifts to wrap."

His fingers were gentle as he turned my head to face him.

Seaver's gaze met mine, and I couldn't look away.

"You were right about one thing," he said."I should never have left like that.There was a good reason, a very good one.But…I shouldn't have disappeared on you, and I'm sorry."

---