AllFreeNovel
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Oh no.I’ve completely forgotten about the accounts since I arrived. Panic fills my system. “Henry, I’m so sorry. I haven’t posted since I arrived.” I scramble to put my coffee down and pull my phone from my back pocket.
Henry takes my hands into his. “Lucy, it’s okay. Iposted.” I look up at him. “Just an old photo of Max and I, then yesterday I posted a picture of my bookshelf.”
“Oh, well, then I guess it’s caught up.” Glad he remembered all of this, but I feel a little pinch of hurt that he didn’t forget it when everything else was happening. I need to take this as a reminder of where his priorities lie.
“What do you say to posting a photo of us in the snow then?”
“Great idea. I’ll get my gloves and new hat.” I run upstairs to grab them from my suitcase before he can notice the emotions that must be playing on my face as they race through my mind.
While warming up in the big chair by the fire, I scroll through the selfies we took in the snow. They look perfect, just as romantic as the experience was for me. In most of them, it would be nearly impossible to recognize us underneath the hats, scarves, and sunglasses. Once we realized that, we took our sunglasses off, making our matching pink noses more noticeable and adorable. I think this might be the best one to post. As I move to hit the share button, I see the option to make this photo my home screen. It takes only a second before I give in to the temptation. No one but me will see it because a lilac photo still acts as my lock screen, but I like knowing it’s there.
The day continues on, and still no sign of plow trucks to clear the roads. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, so they must plan to have them clear by then. At least, I really hope they will.
It’s time to prepare John for our anticipated departure tomorrow.
I make my way to his room but stop at the first stair as if the magnetic pull from yesterday’s kiss with Henry still resides in that spot.If this is what you want, you have to clear out all the mess first.Right, I continue up the staircase and knock on John’s door.
“Hey, it’s me. Can we speak for a moment?” I ask.
John opens the door quickly and motions for me to enter with a smirk on his face. He must assume I am here to rekindle our relationship, but it’s just the opposite. I enter but stop only a step inside.
“The snow has stopped, and the plows should be coming around shortly to clear the roads. With the possibility of ice, I’d rather not travel after dark.” He looks at me, confused. My patience with him is running out.
“Plan to leave first thing tomorrow. I’ve arranged for the driver to be here at 8:00 a.m. sharp. It will take us at least an hour to get back to London, and then the driver will be able to return to his family’s celebrations fairly early. Once we get to my apartment, we will book you the next flight out of London.”
“You’re coming with me tomorrow morning?” he asks.
“Yes, you don’t very well know your way around the city, and honestly, John, I don’t trust you after showing up here, so I plan to watch you get on that plane myself.”
“I think after we get away from this mansion and finally have time alone to talk things through, you’ll see things a little differently,” he says confidently.
“John, don’t start this.”
“Lucy, I’m looking forward to leaving tomorrowmorning. I think spending time, just the two of us, on Christmas Eve in London will be just what we need.”
“There is no more we, John.” This conversation is more exhausting than the hours I just spent in the snow.That’s because those were with Henry, and time with Henry never feels like this.“I am with Henry now. I am just accompanying you to the airport tomorrow afternoon. Understood?”
“Absolutely, and I look forward to our time together,” he answers with a smirk.
Exasperated, I turn and leave, closing the door behind me. Henry is leaning against the railing opposite John’s door, looking as handsome as ever. He doesn’t say anything as I walk across the landing and into his arms.
“The girls are looking for you. They are in the lounge downstairs.” His tone is soft as he speaks. I nod but remain in his embrace. He kisses the top of my head. “After you’re done with them, I’ll meet you in the kitchen, and we can start on dinner.”
Reluctantly, I pull out of his arms, “Okay, see you then.” I head down the staircase, turning back to look at him when I reach the bottom stairs. He smiles down at me.
“Lucy!” Mia shouts, “Where have you been? We couldn’t find you.”
I slump my shoulders as I land in the chair next to Mia and Hannah on the loveseat. “Unfortunately, dealing with the ex-situation.”
“How’s that going?” Hannah asks.
“As frustrating as ever, but hoping to have it resolved in the morning.”
“You’re planning to take him back to London on Christmas Eve?” Hannah asks.
“Yes, that’s the plan. I need to rid myself of the parasite as soon as possible and by any means necessary.”
“The what?” Mia asks as she’s laughing.
