Page 17 of Maybe This Christmas
His absence was proof that he might not’ve said the words, but his feelings were the same as hers.
This relationship had been dead long before they’d arrived in the mountains.
She sat on the edge of the bed and looked around the cabin.Would it be silly of her to stay here until Christmas?She should probably return to the city and plan…whatever she would do with her life.
Another panicked laugh escaped her.She could officially do…anything.Or go anywhere.The thought was freeing and terrifying at the same time.
Her life was hers now, for better or worse.
Moving first in with her grandmother when the rent came due, then from one foster care placement to another, had taught Emma to be careful with her money.She had savings, so it wasn’t as if she’d be destitute if she found something by the time those unemployment checks stopped coming.
Emma kicked off her shoes and stared at the ceiling.Starting over at thirty-four sounded terrifying.But it wasn’t as though she had a choice.Neither did she know where she’d spend the holidays.What would she do?Return to DC and Davis’ condo?Everyone in DC was from somewhere else.She’d likely be among the few in the building from Christmas to New Year.
Alone amongst the remnants of her past life.
No, she had this trip booked, and she’d stay.It was doubtful she’d get much of a refund now, anyway.At least she could figure things out in a new place.Once the holidays were over, the other pieces would fall into place.Hopefully.
But starting tomorrow, she’d be the jolliest little elf this side of the Mississippi.
Chapter Six
Emma jolted to awareness at the sharp ring of her phone.Service was spotty here—she’d already gotten used to holding her phone to the ceiling, hoping to catch service.
Aniyah’s name appeared on the screen.Emma sat up and answered the call.Before she could speak, Aniyah said, “Where are you?”
“The treehouse lodge I told you about.In the Blue Ridge Mountains?”
Aniyah chuckled.“You got Davis to go along with that?Wow, I’m surprised.”
When Emma didn’t reply, Aniyah spoke again.“Are you there?”
“Yeah, I’m here.Davis isn’t, though.”
The connection remained constant as Emma recounted what transpired since yesterday.Without thinking, she’d mentioned the lumberjack, er…Caleb.
She had to stop calling him that.
“Wait, so you’re telling me there’s some hot guy that works there who’s been giving you the woo-woo eyes, Davis saw and got jealous?”
Emma managed a dry laugh.“Yeah, I wondered if he would pee on me to mark his territory.”
Aniyah snorted out a laugh.“Well, you know he’s always been insecure.I didn’t imagine that would be the thing that had you breaking things off for good.”
It was true that even though Davis was handsome and polished, growing up in a cold family that only pointed out his flaws hadn’t exactly made him the most secure man in the world.If there was one argument in their relationship, it was over any perceived male attention she received.
“I can’t say that it was.I think we both know this was a long time coming.”
Aniyah only murmured in response.“So, do you want to come out here for Christmas?We’d love to have you.”
Emma’s smart watch buzzed with an alarm.The lunch and learn began in fifteen minutes.
“I think I’m going to stay here until Christmas.Maybe a little longer, I don’t know.I need a break before I re-enter the real world.”
She could hear the smile in Aniyah’s voice.“Keep me updated on the lumberjack situation.”
Emma groaned.“I ended my engagement less than twenty-four hours ago.”
“Em, we both know said engagement has been on life support for a long time.I appreciate that you gave it your best effort, but nobody is surprised by this outcome.Have yourself some fun while you’re on this vacation from reality.I’m decreeing that you shall squeeze in all the fun you’ve missed out on this year, into the last two-ish weeks of the year.”
