Page 16 of Sweet Boys Love Christmas
“I was with Tommy for a long time,” she goes on. “Our relationship was filled with very high highs and very low lows. I loved him a lot, but after a while, I realized it wasn’t a sustainable kind of love. If we’d ended up engaged, married, itwould’ve never lasted. When a connection is right, it shouldn’t be that rocky. Eventually, I’d had enough.”
“What happened?” It’s none of my business, but my curiosity has gotten the best of me. “What was the turning point?”
She frowns, looking apprehensive.
If she doesn’t want to talk about it, I won’t push it. I consider telling her to forget I asked, but before I can, she takes a deep breath and straightens in the booth.
“He asked me to go to a party. I really didn’t want to go, but I agreed. To keep the peace.” She lowers her head, focused on her plate for a moment, then locks her eyes with mine again. “I showed up late and found him flirting with another girl. He did that a lot. When I annoyed him. To punish me or something, I guess. That time, I just… I’d had enough. I marched up to him and told him that I was done. But the next morning…” She shook her head. “He was texting me like nothing had changed. Like he was sure I’d be over it. I guess I can’t blame him for thinking that since I took him back so many times. But I meant it.”
My chest tightens at the hint of pain in her voice. “Good for you. You deserve better, and I’m sure that wasn’t easy.”
“It wasn’t.” She bites her lip, her gaze averted. “It sounds so pathetic, but I think because of my parents, I learned not to expect much from relationships.”
“It’s not pathetic,” I insist. God damn, this girl’s upbringing really was shitty. It’s really true what they say. Moneyisn’teverything.
It hurts, knowing she’s never been loved properly. Not by her parents and not by doucheface Tommy. Bertie deserved better from all of them.
“I hope…” I inhale deeply and let the breath out slowly, gathering myself. “I hope that when you’re ready to open your heart up again, you find someone capable of loving you the way you deserve.”
She tugs on the ends of her hair, head lowered. “Thank you.”
Straightening, I pick up my burger. Only then do I realize how much time has passed. Shit. I have about five minutes left in my break.
“What’s wrong?” she asks.
“I have to get back to work in a few minutes.” I take a giant bite of my burger, determined to finish it before I’m out of time. I won’t have another break until the shift I’m covering ends.
“Oh,” she breathes. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have been so chatty.”
Frowning, I lean in closer, burger still in hand. “Don’t ever be sorry for talking to me. I love it.”
We eat in silence for the next couple of minutes. I’m wiping my hands on a napkin, getting ready to get up and get back to work, when my mom appears at the side of the table.
My heart lurches as I look up at her.Oh no.
“Hi.” She smiles at Bertie. “I’m Luke’s mom. Jocelyn.”
“I’m Bertie. It’s nice to meet you.” She extends a hand and smiles.
Mom slides her palm against Bertie’s, head tilted in interest. “That’s an unusual name.”
“It’s short for Beatrice.”
“You didn’t want to go by Bea?”
I shoot my mom a look, silently willing her to stop interrogating Bertie. I’m sure she can feel the death glare, but she ignores me.
Bertie shrugs. “I’ve gone by Bertie since I was a little girl. I’ve never thought about changing it.”
“I like it. It suits you,” my mom says, her smile warm. “I thought I’d pop over and see if you have plans for Christmas Eve. Are you spending it with family or…?”
I’m fairly certain my ears are bright red based on how hot they feel.
Bertie’s shoulders slump. “No, I’m alone for the holiday this year.”
My mom’s reaction is the opposite. Her whole face lights up like this is good news. “You should spend it with us, then. Come over for Christmas Eve dinner. You can even stay the night if you want. No one should be alone on Christmas.”
With my hands covering my face, I hang my head. Is my mother seriously playing wingman right now?
