Page 4 of Christmas in Comets Valley
“If Inamra went down in flames tomorrow, the luxury car dealerships in Beverly Hills would be my first stop,” I quipped with a small smile splayed across my lips.
Ben and I met freshman year when we got paired together for a group project for one of our general electives. From the start, there was no denying the instant draw we felt toward one another’s opposing skill set. By the end of that year, Inamara was born out of pure ambition, and Ben had become a permanent fixture in every aspect of my life.
He also happened to be the one who set up Tye and me on a blind date. And if he weren’t so damn good at running the behind-the-scenes of the business, that reminder might’ve given me more motive to follow through with the murder charge I threatened him with earlier.
“You good, Aer?” His brows drew together as he twisted to meet my gaze.
“Not really, B.” I slouched forward and let out an uneven sigh, swallowing back the tears that pricked the back of my throat. “I’m sure you’ve heard the news by now…” I trailed off, alluding to Tye’s engagement announcement.
“Yeah…” His voice grew quiet while he crossed and uncrossed his arms, struggling to remain still.
I’d known Ben and Tye remained friends after our breakup, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt. But I also knew that if Ben ever had to choose between the two of us, he’d pick me. Every single time. Though I’d never make him do it.
Ben swore he hadn’t known about Tye’s infidelity, and I believed him. I knew he still felt guilty about setting us up in the first place, although he never could’ve predicted how it’d end.
He might’ve been a bit of a grump sometimes, but I knew he always had my best interest at heart. One day he’d make some girl out there really happy, but that girl sure as hell wouldn’t be me.
I cringed at the thought of having to kiss him.Disgusting.Or worse, have sex with him. I shuddered inwardly at the thought.Revolting.
“I think I need a break.” A huff expelled from my lungs after I took a minute to breathe through the dull ache knotting in my chest. “I’m just… a shell of the person I used to be. Outside of work, the only people I talk to are my brother and sister-in-law. I hardly sleep anymore. And I think creativity is taking a hit because of it.”
“A break?” Ben replied quizzically, faint amusement flickering in his eyes.
Aside from flying to Florida to visit my brother and sister-in-law every so often, I hadn’t been on arealvacation since spring break my senior year of college.
When my brother talked me into buying the Malibu house together for family gatherings, I told myself it would be a peaceful escape from work life. Yet, more often than not, when I visited, I’d spent more time in the office upstairs than relaxing on the beach.
I loved my job. I truly did. But last night’s wake-up call made me realize that continuing to throw myself into an endless downward spiral over a man who couldn’t care less about me was keeping me from living.
Not to mention, the creative lull I was in could’ve easily killed Inamra’s chances of headlining New York Week of Fashion next year. If I kept it up, we’d be out of the running before the officials even began debating which fashion houses to invite.
I needed to get away from this place—my life—and break free from the gloom-filled cocoon I’d been living in the past few months.
“Yup, I think I need to get out of town and do a factory reset on myself, you know?” I babbled, springing to my feet. “I could go on vacation for the holidays… see some snow. Ohhh, maybe I’ll go to a place that has a Christmas festival!” I flailed my arms at my sides, and Ben stared back at me with both brows raised as if I’d abandoned every drop of sanity within myself. “Everyone will be out of office for the next few weeks anyway, so I won’t even have to think about work!”
A ripple of uncertainty washed over me for a moment as I observed Ben tossing my words through his brain, astonishment spread over every millimeter of his expression. I only stopped myself when he tilted his head to the side and a wide grin pulled up the corners of his lips.
I knew he’d come around eventually… even if it was only for the benefit of getting me out of his hair for a few days.
Rising to his feet, Ben waltzed over toward the doorway and paused to look back at me before crossing the threshold to the corridor, which led to his office. “Not a bad idea, Aer.” He shrugged. “Who knows, maybe it’ll be the best damn thing that’s ever happened to you.”
His words sent a wave of relief flooding over me.
I sure as hell hoped he was right.
2
AERA
The midnight hourcrept closer and my sleep deprivation worsened with each passing minute. Moonlight shone brightly through my home office windows, illuminating my workspace, which was cluttered with sketchbook drawings and fabric swatches.
I was only a few tweaks away from finalizing next summer’s collection. However, in the hours since sitting down at my desk, I hadn’t done much besides ponder the words Ben said earlier.
Who knows, maybe it’ll be the best damn thing that’s ever happened to you.
It didn’t take much for someone to notice I was in a funk, and a fun-filled holiday getaway seemed like the perfect way to catapult me out of it.
After dwelling on the idea of a Christmas vacation for a bit longer, curiosity got the best of me and willed me to open up a new browser to see what the home swapping website I came across on Socialgram was all about.
