Page 3 of Christmas Ever After
“Anything for my husband,” Holly said. She went over to the cocoa dispenser and filled the mug, then returned it to Nicholas. “Are we your first stop?”
“Yes,” Nicholas said. Gabriel remained quiet. Ivy didn’t know what to make of that. Holly took Gabriel’s mug from him and filled it. Ivy couldn’t seem to make herself move, or speak.
“Thanks,” Gabriel said as Holly handed him his cocoa.
Holly turned her attention to Nicholas and ignored Ivy and Gabriel. Whenever Nicholas was around he was all that existed for Holly. Ivy understood. She was as aware of Gabriel in the same way. Neither Nicholas or Holly noticed when Gabriel pulled a flask out of his pocket and spiked his cocoa. She was tempted to call him out on it. He was ruining her cocoa…
He slid it back into his pocket and then met her gaze. His lips tilted upward into a cocky smile. She narrowed her gaze and frowned. He lifted his mug to his mouth and sipped, daring her to say something to him. “You know you want to. What’s holding you back?” His voice had a cocky edge to it.
“What you choose to drink is none of my concern. If you want to ruin a perfectly good cup of cocoa then far be it for me to stop you.” She lifted her chin in defiance.
He held his hand to his heart. “Such concern for…cocoa. How endearing.”
Ohhhh. She wanted to smack that smug smile off of his face. How dare he condescend to her. “I’m not the one day drinking. Life not what you expected it to be?” A low blow, but he’d pissed her off. Only he could turn her into this…shrew. She hated herself for saying it, but she couldn’t stop herself either.
“You’re right, of course,” he answered and continued to drink the cocoa “Still not going to stop me from enjoying my hard hot cocoa.”
He turned on his heels and left Serendipity Lane. Ivy’s heart beat heavily in her chest and guilt flooded her gut. She’d been so mean. Somehow she had to figure out how to find some middle ground. She shouldn’t treat the man she loved so harshly. He’d made mistakes, but so had she. Her bitterness was controlling her and she wanted to let go of it. Somehow, some way, she’d figure out how to do that.
Chapter 4
Gabriel stumbled on the sidewalk and fell forward landing on a nearby bench. He hit it hard, but it was far better than hitting the ground. It might have been harder to get off the ground than the bench. He didn’t know how much he had managed to drink, but he couldn’t recall the last time he’d been this drunk. If ever… The entire town of Kismet Bay was spinning in circles.
He’d abandoned his Santa mug somewhere… He couldn’t recall where, but he’d given up on the pretense of being interested in the cocoa. He’d only really wanted one cup. Ivy’s… After that he hadn’t really cared. He’d refilled his flask after a quick stop at the local liquor store and continued to sip from it through the rest of the cocoa crawl. Nicholas had left him when Holly finished at Serendipity Lane and the cocoa crawl ended. Gabriel had continued to drink. It was the only thing that numbed his pain.
What was he doing? This was no way to live his life, and yet, he couldn’t figure out what step he should take next. Coming back to Kismet Bay had seemed to be the right decision. Being around Ivy… He never should have chosen his career over her, but he didn’t want to have regrets. Turned out leaving her was the biggest regret of his life. It soured his stomach thinking about living without her. The alcohol churning in there didn’t help either… He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. The spinning only worsened and he laid down on the bench in the hope it would help ease his discomfort.
“What are you doing?”
Ivy… Of course it was Ivy. He slowly lifted one of his eyelids and caught the sight of her delectable legs, and then trailed upward taking in her full appearance. She’d dressed in a red Santa inspired dress and matching caplet. A wide black belt emphasized her narrow waist. He’d admired her decision earlier. Her black hair spilled down her back in waves. If he didn’t think he’d fall on his face he’d stand to meet her gaze, and maybe touch her hair to revel in its silky softness. Since he was incapable of standing straight he stayed where he was. “What does it look like I’m doing?” His words slurred.
“You’re drunk.” Disgust was etched in her voice. If he hoped to win her back this was not the way to do it. He had to get his stuff together.
“Maybe I am.”Oh, that was brilliant.He’d roll his eyes but everything had just stopped spinning. He didn’t want to add to it.
“There is no maybe about it.” She continued to stare down at him. “Are you going to continue to stay there all night?”
He’d been thinking about it. The idea of going home hadn’t appealed to him. “Why do you care?”
She was silent for several seconds. “I don’t know,” she said it so softly he almost didn’t hear it. “But I do. More than I like to admit…even to myself.”
His heart hurt. Gabriel had done this to her. Made her bitter and angry. If he could fix it he would, but he didn’t even know where to begin. Perhaps an apology... Would she even accept it?
“Come on…sit up,” she ordered.
“Why?” He was actually starting to get comfortable.
“You can’t stay out here. My apartment isn’t far and you can crash on my sofa until morning.”
He should say no, but it was more than he ever expected her to offer to him. A relationship between them might not be a complete lost cause. If she could be kind to him now perhaps she could come to love him again. He may have ruined everything in the past, but he could, maybe, have her love once again. It might be too much to hope for, but he had to believe it possible. Otherwise…he truly had lost everything. “All right,” he agreed and sat up. He wobbled as he came to his feet. She stepped up and wrapped her arm around his waist.
“Let me help you,” she said. Gabriel was just grateful to revel in her closeness. To have her touch him even if it was to make sure he didn’t fall on his face.
They walked slowly to her apartment and climbed the stairs. He managed to get up them in one go and didn’t stumble…much. He pressed his head to the wall in an attempt to stay upright as she unlocked the door. She pushed it open and stepped inside. Gabriel managed to stumble inside and make it to her couch. He fell more than sat on it.
“Glad to see you have a little sense of direction.” Her voice had a hint of amusement in it. “I’ll grab you a blanket and pillow.”
His eyes were closed and he would have fallen asleep but she was coming back. He didn’t want to miss any time with her. She stepped over him and flicked the blanket open, then placed it over him. “Here you go,” she said. “Lift your head so I can put your pillow under it.” She was kneeling before him on the sofa.
