Page 19 of Holiday at Home
But my heart’s pounding and my stomach’s twisting, and I stride to the door and throw it open, bracing for whatever waits on the other side.
Only, nothing could have prepared me for what I find, because standing there—hands shoved in his pockets, dark hair falling into blue eyes, shoulders hunched, face turned toward mine with the setting sun blazing behind him—is none other than Simon Holiday.
“What are you doing here?” I blurt before I can stop myself.
Simon flashes me his best smile.
And let me tell you, it isthe bestsmile.
When that man looks at you, it’s like all your worries fade away, the sun breaks through the clouds, and you’re safe and warm and protected.
“Hello to you too, Violet.”
“Well, yes, I mean, hello, hi, how are you?” I cross my arms and lean against the door frame. “Except I haven’t seen you in years, and now three times in two days? I’m sure you can understand my surprise.”
“Any chance I could come in?”
There’s that smile again.
I consider telling him I’m too busy, but the silence coming from inside the house is deafening. Before I know what’s happening, I step aside and let Simon in.
He’s still wearing the same cologne he wore when we were together. Nostalgia hits hard and sharp, a bittersweet reminder of what we used to be but aren’t any longer.
“Seems dark in here.”
It also seems very,verycrowded with him standing so close to me. I move farther into the house, creating some much needed space between us.
“I hadn’t noticed.”
Total lie. I very much had noticed. Everything about this place feels dim, like someone turned down the light.
“There isn’t a single Christmas decoration to be seen.” Simon turns to me, total shock on his face. “Violet Sterling! Your mother would never let such a thing happen.”
I flinch at the mention of her, and he instantly looks stricken. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean?—”
“It’s okay. Really. You’re right. When Mom was around, this house would’ve been decked out in full Christmas glory the day after Thanksgiving.”
I just haven’t had the desire to do it, especially since it’s only for me. Nora and her family will be back closer to Christmas, and without a doubt I’ll have everything up, especially for little Nash. Until then… I’m just not feeling it.
Simon shoves his hands into his pockets, peering deeper into the house. “Did Robbie and Nora leave?”
“Yeah. Robbie has to go back to work; Nash has school. They just flew in for the re-opening and had to get on with their lives. They’ll be here for Christmas, though,” I offer lamely.
Until then, it’s just me. All by my lonesome.
I smile so he doesn’t see how sad that makes me and Simon gives me a look I can’t unravel. Sympathy? Concern? Confusion? Maybe all the above.
“Will you decorate before then?” he asks.
What, in the history of weird things happening, is actually happening right now?
Simon Holiday, standing in my foyer after being a total ghost, and he’s grilling me about my house not being decorated appropriately for the season?
“What is it with you and the decorations?” I ask. “You were never the Christmasy one. You were always more… utilitarian about things.”
“I don’t know. I just… it’s weird?—”
“Tell me about it,” I mutter and he rolls his eyes in a very familiar way. He never did like it when I interrupted him.
