Page 82 of A Newport Christmess

Quinn: I’ll be home after Christmas.

Cody: Can I just call you now? I’d love to hear your voice.

With thoughts of Rachel and Cody’s Ms. Legs sauntering through my mind, I wasn’t in an accommodating mood. Besides, I wanted Cody to look me in the eyes and tell me why he’d left. I wanted to see the truth of it in his expression and know, once and for all, what had been so wrong with me that he couldn’t keep the promises he’d made to me. The vows we’d taken.

Quinn: I’d prefer to talk in person. How about you text me when you’re home from your vacation to the Caribbean, and we’ll figure something out.

My pulse raced when I pressed send, and I momentarily regretted my passive-aggressive text. But the truth was, I had no intention of reconciling anything between us. Like Landon had said about Eliza, Cody was a part of my past, not my future. I knew that now. But I deserved answers. I deserved to have a chance to fix whatever I’d done wrong before I risked driving Landon away.

* * *

My eyes were growing heavy, but I couldn’t stop. I had one side-face decorated and had just started on the front-face of Rosecliff, which meant, once I went to bed, I’d have to finish the rest tomorrow. Well ... today, considering it was well past the middle of the night. Realistically, I was looking at another twelve to fifteen hours. There was no way I was going to be able to do anything tomorrow besides stay home and decorate this thing.

“This is why I’m here.” My audible reassurance fell flat, especially considering, while I was here working, Landon was going to be enjoying the events tomorrow without me. And possibly with Rachel.

Loud laughter wafted up from the vent. I was grateful Landon had managed to confine all the guys to the apartment downstairs for the time being. It was difficult enough to concentrate on what I was doing with images of Rachel and Landon exploring Newport together. I hated what a beautiful couple they made in the theatrical imaginings of my mind.

The door creaked open, and Landon stepped inside. “You’re still up.”

I drew in a long breath. “Yep.”

He pulled out a dining room chair and scooted it next to mine. “How’s it going?”

“Slow.”

“I’m sorry.” He hesitated. “Do you think you’ll be able to join us tomorrow?”

An unexpected stinging behind my eyes made me blink. There was no way I was going to start crying now. “No. Probably not.”

“If you get done earlier than you think, I could always come and pick you up between events. Maybe before the trolley tour or the harbor cruise?”

I kept my gaze focused on the icing as it clung to the gingerbread. “That would be fun. I’m just not sure I’ll finish in time.”

He leaned forward in his chair, and his hand settled on my leg. “I could stay here with you.”

I glanced at him, suddenly wishing he could stay. But that was me being petty again. “Nikki would be so sad. Besides, you’re going to have fun.”

His thumb moved in a small circle on my inner thigh just above my knee, sending heat pulsing through me. “It’d be more fun if you were there.”

With the way he looked at me like I was the only person in the world he wanted to be with, I almost forgot about Rachel. Almost. “I’ll try to finish early.”

He leaned back in his chair, his arm draped across the back of mine. His fingers mindlessly played with my hair while he watched me work. And each time I looked over at him, he’d meet my gaze with a slight smile.

When I reached a breaking point, I turned toward him and rubbed a hand over his cheek. “You look tired.”

He yawned and covered his mouth, but it was too late, and I yawned, too. “I feel tired,” he said, clasping my hand in his. “But I think it’s best if I wait until the party dies down before I head off to bed. Besides, you’re still awake, so there’s no way I’m leaving you unguarded in a house full of inebriated men.”

“You can’t know how much I appreciate that.” I shot him a smile. “Is Kade having a good time, though?”

He chuckled. “Josh gave Kade a ride home after the bar. Kade said he didn’t want to be too tired tomorrow. But, yeah, I think he had a good time before abandoning me.” A loud thud from downstairs sent Landon to his feet. “Speaking of having a good time ... I’ll be right back.”

Poor Landon.

A few minutes later, the door opened again. “What happened?” My gaze lifted to find Tyler standing there instead of Landon. “Oh, Tyler.”

“Sorry, I didn’t realize you’d be here.” His voice was a notch louder than usual. “The bathrooms downstairs are both occupied.”

I gestured behind me. “This one’s free.”