Page 127 of Meddling Under the Mistletoe
I blow out a breath. “I told you I broke up with Daniel because it was too much to deal with after Dad died and having to take over the business. What I didn’t tell you is that it was only too much because he couldn’t support me. Or wouldn’t. He didn’t understand why I couldn’t keep going to his events or why I was in so much pain emotionally and physically that I couldn’t get out of bed.”
She covers her mouth. “I had no idea. Sweetheart, I’m so sorry. God, no wonder you broke up with him.”
“It’s okay. You couldn’t have known because I didn’t want you to. The last thing you needed to be worried about then was whatever drama was going on with me and Daniel,” I say, raking my teeth over my lip. “But that’s not even the worst of it.”
Her eyes are glassy as she looks at me, but she doesn’t speak. This time, she waits for me.
“I tried to get him back,” I admit. “I convinced myself that what he did was okay somehow, and I tried to get him back three months later, only to find out he was with someone else. He was alreadyengaged.”
She gasps. “I can’t believe it. That shithead.”
“Honestly, I’m glad he turned me down. I understand now that I didn’t want to get back with him because I actually loved him. I was just so desperate to feel something after being completely numb since we lost dad. But losing him and then feeling like there was something wrong with me, it made me scared to connect with anyone else,” I say. “Until I met Oliver.”
“You need to talk to him.”
“It’s too late.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t believe that. I saw the way he looked at you. Lindsey, he cares about you.”
I drop my gaze, running my finger along the rim of my mug. “I sent him a text. On Christmas Eve. He didn’t reply, and I doubt he’s going to. What I did wasn’t fair. I didn’t treat him right.”
“Tell him how you feel. He’ll listen. I know he will.”
“What if he doesn’t?” I ask.
“Then at least you’ll know you did everything you could.”
I sigh, picking at a loose thread on my sweatshirt. “I wish there was a way I could show him how sorry I am. How much I care about him.”
She taps a finger to her chin, a mischievous smile spreading across her lips.
“What?” I ask. “What’s that look for?”
“I have an idea. I think I know of a way you can show Oliver what he means to you.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “You do?”
She nods and takes a sip of her coffee, an evil genius masterminding her plan.
“I do,” she says. “But we’re going to need reinforcements.”
“I can’t feel my nose.”Kayla’s words are swallowed by her puffer coat where she’s buried her face in the crook of her arm. She’s waiting for Ben to put up another hook to hold the mistletoe in her waiting hands.
“I still think staging a fall would have been a better idea,” Aunt Rose says with a huff, placing another luminary on the ground. “And far better for my back.”
Ben shoots her an accusatory glance as he climbs down the stepladder. “Except for the fact that faking an emergency is wrong on so many levels and highly illegal.”
Mom rolls her eyes. “Oh hush, Rose. You’re moving faster than the rest of us combined.”
“Seriously. You’re almost finished.” Lucy tilts her body from side to side, stretching her arms over her head. “Meanwhile, I need to take some Aleve.”
“Maybe if you actually took one of my yoga classes once in a while, you wouldn’t.” Willow smirks from the top step.
We’re putting the finishing touches on the surprise for Oliver. Willow, Ben, and Kayla are in charge of hanging twinkle lights and mistletoe from every available surface outside while Lucy, Aunt Rose, Mom, and I are artfully spelling out “NYE?” with luminaries across Oliver’s yard.
Ellie rolls down the window of their van and pokes her head out. “Just giving a time update. It’s ten till seven.”
“And the rain?” I ask.
