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“Yup. Their first scenes are next Thursday.” He leaned over and brushed her bangs from her eyes. “Any word from the National about Upton Park?”

“They passed this morning, but I’ve made a list of other theatres to pitch.”

“Someone will snatch it up. Be sure to mention the Donmar project when you do pitch. It shows you’re in demand.”

“Yeah…” Alex leaned back and swallowed hard. She couldn’t tell him about the lost commission, not yet…not with his first lead role in a movie making him so happy. Her bad news might sour his joy. “I was thinking of taking on some corporate writing, too…”

“Do you have time? I thought you hated that.”

“I do, but it’s money. I kinda got used to the extra cash from the panto.”

Mark peered underneath the table at Alex’s National tote, straining at its seams. “I can see that! Steady on, shopaholic. Did you leave anything behind for anyone else?” He laughed. “As long as you won’t feel too stretched then, yeah, why not? And corporate work is still writing.”

Phew.She grinned and pulled the chewy ham from her cheese toastie.

Mark’s fingers curled around Alex’s. “Five days. It’s the most we’ve been together in eight months. They’re gonna have to come drag me away on the twenty-eighth.”

Alex squeezed his hand and leaned forward, craving the intimacy she so badly needed. In a few hours, her body would be trading the cosy comfort of Mark’s sweatshirt for his warm lips and gentle touch. Her nerve endings tingled at the thought. “At least we won’t have to wait weeks to be together again. New Year’s—in Dublin! Can’t wait.”

“I promise we’ll make our anniversary memorable.” Mark smiled at his girlfriend.

They were just an ordinary couple, stealing kisses over their sandwiches, sharing knowing glances. No one else existed; the customers choosing baguettes and soup from the nearby shelves dissolved in an unimportant blur.

Alex reluctantly released his hand and nibbled her toastie without peeling her eyes from him. “I’m so proud of you. Your first leading role, working in Dublin…it’s a dream come true.”

“Yeah, it’s another life-changer, that’s for sure.” He pulled a piece of turkey from his sandwich and popped it in his mouth. “Mouse…” He chewed slowly, buying time. “I’m sorry about New York. If things were different—”

“It’s okay.” Alex cut him off, not keen on getting into it again. She looked at her sandwich and tore off the crust. “You’re here. We’re together. That’s all that matters.” A soft smile parted her lips. “A few weeks ago, I didn’t think we would be.”

Mark shook his head. “But I screwed up, and it’s been bothering me ever since.” He reached inside the pocket of his coat hanging on the back of his chair and pulled out a white legal-size envelope. The front was blank—no name, no address, nothing. “I was planning on giving it to you Christmas Eve, but…open it.”

Alex slid her finger underneath the back flap, tearing the envelope open. Eyebrows furrowed, she pulled out a folded sheet of paper.

Mark leaned closer, desperate for a reaction.

She opened the document cautiously.

London Heathrow (LHR) to New York JFK–December 22, 2018

Alexandra Sinclair, Mark Keegan

and

New York JFK to London Heathrow (LHR)–January 3, 2019

Alexandra Sinclair, Mark Keegan

Flight confirmations…complete with assigned seating—first class, both ways. “New York? A year from now?”

“This isn’t your main present.” Mark smiled. “That’s still coming. Remember in April, I promised we would spend Christmas in New York City? I meant it, but you’ll just have to wait a little bit longer.” He pointed at the small print. “See? Non-refundable. We are going!”

“But a lot can happen between now and then…”

“That’s why I’ve warned Wink. I’m learning, yeah?” He gave Alex the cheeky smile that always made her melt. “I don’t care what jobs are offered for next December. That time is blocked off for us. You can be my New York tour guide, keep me from getting lost.”

“Great.” Alex leaned back in her seat. A year seemed so distant, a mirage she couldn’t quite decipher. Mark, by comparison, couldn’t contain his glee. His fast-paced banter and ants-in-his-pants demeanour suggested they would be lacing up skates and exchanging kisses on the Rockefeller Center ice rink tonight, not twelve months from now. She wanted to share his enthusiasm, but the trip didn’t seem real. It was too far away. But, Mark was pleased with himself, so she faked it. “I can almost taste Serendipity’s frozen hot chocolate,” she said with a tight grin. She looked at the confirmation again. “I’ve never flown first class before. I’ll feel like Taylor Swift.”

Mark chuckled. “Oh, crap. You’re not gonna go all Swifty on me, are you?”