Page 111 of Meddling Under the Mistletoe
“That’s not how it works.”
“Oh really,” I bite back, sarcasm dripping from my voice. “Enlighten me, then. Howdoesit work?”
“You don’t keep someone’s memory alive by shutting down and folding in on yourself, Myra Jean.” She reaches for my hand. “You keep them alive byliving.By living so loud that wherever Henry is, he can hear you.”
I rub my fingers over my forehead, attempting to smooth out the dozens of wrinkles I’m certain have formed in the duration of this conversation.
“What do I say, Rose?” I ask. “What do I tell him?”
“Tell him what you told me,” she says. “That you’re scared and you’re not sure what you want this thing between you two to be just yet. Be honest with him.”
I rake my teeth over my bottom lip and nod slowly. “Okay. You’re right. I’ll do it.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “When?”
“The next time he calls.”
She taps a manicured nail to her chin. “Fine, then. Since I’m already on your nerves, you should know I got you a spa package for Christmas.”
“Why would that get on my nerves? That’s a lovely gift. Thank yo?—”
“Well, actually,Igot a spa package,” she says. “From Lester. It’s got a massage, a pedicure, something called a vampire facial, and a bikini wax, so I thought I’d giveyouthe wax.”
I roll my eyes. “How thoughtful.”
“A little maintenance never hurt anyone. When was the last time you got checked out under the hood?”
“It’s not gonna happen, Rose. Not now. Not ever.”
“What if I throw in the vampire facial? I heard they use your own blood.”
I pop my lips together and grab my phone. “You know what? Maybe I’ll go call Ron now.”
“Yeah.” Rose flashes me a Cheshire cat grin, pawing at another cookie. “You do that.”
I pad up the stairs to my bedroom and shut the door, dialing Ron’s number.
“Myra Jean.” His voice is chipper when he answers the phone. “How’s the design emergency? Did you finally come up for air?”
“You scare me,” I blurt out.
Oh my God.What am I doing? I couldn’t even sayHifirst orHow are you? I slap my palm to my forehead and flop onto mybed. If I have to die from embarrassment, I at least want to go out comfortably.
I curse Rose under my breath. This is all her fault.
“Excuse me?” Ron asks, taken aback.
“That’s not what I meant,” I say. “I mean, it is, but it isn’t.”
“Okay,”he says, drawing out the word. “I’m going to need some clarity on what youdomean.”
“Yes. Right.” I draw in a long, slow breath. “Ron, there was no work emergency. I’ve been…I was avoiding you.”
“I had a feeling,” he admits.
“Oh…”
He heaves a sigh. “I don’t know a lot about design, but it seemed unlikely there would be an emergency this close to Christmas. You were a little off when I mentioned introducing you to Hudson, and after the way you sounded on the phone the night of Oliver’s accident, I got the impression you might be having second thoughts.”
