AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He thumbed back.
I did a stupid thing.
We all do stupid things.
Can we talk about why you won’t date me?
Silence. His brain recited all the possible reasons she hadn’t answered. Thankfully, he dozed off, then jerked awake at the buzz of his phone. Peering at the white screen, he read the message.
It’s hard.
Still in a twilight sleep, he typed,
I know.
Nite, Rory.
I love you, Red. Delete.
He typed it again.
I love you, Red.
Holding his breath, he pressed SEND.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Vi glanced around the quiet lobby, a far cry from the usual hustle-bustle. Upstairs, the thud of a single weight hitting the floor sounded lonesome. Strategically placed diffusers wafted festive oil through the area. Foot traffic had slowed, the regular schedule bumped for holiday hours, but Vi wouldn’t complain. She’d relished her easy schedule this week and had completed her last massage before the holiday. Now all she needed was an extra dose of courage to buy Rory’s Christmas gift. A practical item since she couldn’t imagine giving him anything personal. She hoped he would receive it with grace.
The massage door shut, and Vi’s last client strode toward her. “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Richter. You have family coming in?”
“Lord, yes. I’m off to the store for cookie ingredients.” The tall, friendly woman clucked and patted her salon-style do. “It’ll be a madhouse, I’m sure. You have a delightful holiday, dearie.” When the woman extended her arms, Vi leaned into her grandmotherly hug with a bittersweet ache. Her grandmother had never been the cookie-baking type. Nor did she give hugs.
Vi disengaged gently. Mischief glinted in Mrs. Richter’s eyes. “Thanks to my favorite MT, I’m in tip-top shape to deal with my family. Bless their sweet little hearts.”
Mrs. Richter’s gracious manner soothed like expensive oil. Her cheeriness made Vi think her own life might not be a total train wreck. She moved to the reception area and lowered into a chair. A few relaxing moments before heading out into the shivery-cold weather would help the sting in her hands. Finding her gloves gained top priority. She dug in her pockets, found an orange, and began to peel it.
A deep forest scent filled her nostrils when a person sat in the other chair. “Hey, Vi.” Rory’s deep voice blanketed her from the inside out.
She didn’t dare look at him but kept peeling the orange. “Hey, Red.” Shifting in the chair, she winced. Red was her nickname. Rattled much?
“Got plans for Christmas?”
“Going to Mom’s for the day. You?” She chewed an orange slice.
“I’ll be at Dad’s. Mark will make an appearance. We’ll order takeout, and I’ll make mashed potatoes. The usual football games.” His fingers drummed a chaotic rhythm on the chair arm.
Vi held half of the orange in his direction. Their fingers brushed when he took it. They shared the fruit in silence. Had last night’s text affected him the way it was affecting her? She couldn’t think of anything else. Soft holiday music piped from the speakers.
“You’ll be here Christmas Eve?” He stretched his leg, shifting in the chair.
“Jesse agreed to host the party to give Paige a break. A few appetizers, hot cocoa. Gift exchange.”
“If I come to the party, will you stay?” Strain whickered through his voice.
The yes her heart trilled should be a definite no. So totally no. “Sure. Everybody will be there.” Maybe he hadn’t heard her ambivalence. Or the deflection.
“I’m not coming to see everybody. I only want to see you.”
