Kissmas Reunion (Magnolia Point)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

MERRY

“ T hanks for picking me up from the airport, but I could have taken a cab.” I wheel my suitcase around my ex-husband’s Audi convertible, admiring the white two-seater sports car with its cream leather interior.

“Our son wouldn’t hear of it,” Alex says. “It was either him or me, but Finn has a suit fitting this morning.” Alex lifts my case, his biceps straining against his crisp cotton shirt. I don't miss how his cream trousers outline the muscles of his thighs as he rounds the car.

With a huff, he loads my case into the boot. “Damn, Merryssa. I thought you were only staying in Magnolia Point for a week?”

My brow furrows. “I am. Look, if my case is too big for your convertible, I can call a cab.” I clutch my purse as I dig my fist into my hip. This man lost the right to complain about my luggage twenty years ago.

He gives me a glare. “I told you Finn wouldn’t hear of it.” With a clenched jaw, he opens the passenger door. “Get in.”

I tighten my lip, strutting around to the open door. “Only because you asked so nicely.” My voice laced with sarcasm, I slide into the seat. It’s incredibly low and I wonder how I’m going to get out of it. I may as well be sitting in the footwell.

He slips into the driver’s side with ease and turns the engine over. With his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, the sun shines on the faded ink beneath the hairs on his forearms.

Two decades after divorce, I thought he would have tattooed over our wedding date in roman numerals on his skin, but it's still there, now dull and grey, like our relationship.

The cream leather squeaks as I shuffle in the seat, tugging at the hem of my dress, willing it lower now Alex is in close proximity. The sheer tights I'm wearing do little to hide the blue veins above my knees.

I don’t normally worry about these things. Growing old is a privilege some don’t get to experience, but seeing how good Alex looks at fifty has me questioning my life choices. It must be the southern lifestyle out here with the fresh sea air. A complete contrast to the pollution in London.

“You okay there?” he asks, glancing over as I hold my dress in place at the knee. His foot pushes against the accelerator and I’m pinned in my seat.

I struggle to get comfortable, but I’m not sure if it’s being so close to Alex or the car making me unsettled. “Couldn’t you have picked me up in the SUV?”

“It’s getting a service.” He settles back into his seat now we’re on the highway. “What’s wrong with this car, anyway?”

I take in the ostentatiousness. “A little young for you, don’t you think?”

“Who?” Alex says in a gruff tone.

“The car, but now that you mention it, Finn said you were dating someone the same age as him.” I roll my eyes, not sure who I’m more embarrassed for, Alex or our son. It makes sense why he’s got the car and the buff body to go with it. He’s reliving his youth or going through some sort of midlife crisis.

His grip tightens on the steering wheel just as his foot floors the accelerator. “We broke up.”

“Oh.” I cling to the seat beneath my chunky thighs as we pick up speed, driving down the highway with nothing but dry land stretched out in front. “I’m sorry,” I say, but can’t help the smile from spreading across my face.

“No, you’re not.” Alex glances my way for a second before looking back at the road ahead. “You were never a great liar. After working in parliament for years, I expected your poker face to be better.”

“All right, maybe I am gloating a little.” I relax, enjoying the cool wind in my face. Though I'm sure he has the top down just to show off. “Could she not handle dating an old man?”

Alex chuckles to himself. “She couldn’t handle a real man, no.” He glances my way for a second again, his eyes darker this time, and I’m suddenly aware of the wind pressing my silk blouse against my chest, outlining the lace underneath and my pebbled nipples from the breeze.

I straighten my spine and inhale a deep breath of winter sea air. “Maybe you need a real woman.” As soon as the words leave my lips, I regret it. I’m here for our son’s wedding and nothing more. I shouldn’t be flirting. Least of all with my ex-husband.

There’s a reason we split up, but despite our divorce, we’ve kept things civil for the sake of our son. While we’ve co-parented amicably, it’s not been without its difficulties, clash of opinions, and heated phone calls. And by heated, I don’t mean hot. Our phone-sex days ended when Finn was born.

“Is that an offer?” He slows the car as he takes a slip road.

My eyes widen, but it’s not fear. I’m shocked at my body’s reaction to him after all these years. Usually, the only hot flushes I get are from night sweats, but one flash of his dark stare and the pulse between my legs comes alive.

“Cat got your tongue? What’s up, Merry? It’s not like you to be quiet.”

“Please. This journey will go a lot smoother if you just drive.” I look out at the palm trees lining the road now that we’re off the highway. Anything to distract me from this man.

It must be the change in climate that has my body out of sorts. Maybe the holiday and love in the air with my son’s impending wedding. Yes, that’s it. Definitely not the moody fifty-year-old driving a convertible.

He chuckles again, irritating the hell out of me; a low rumble barely audible, but with his usual hint of snark.

After a few minutes of silence, he speaks. “I don’t know why you don’t stay at my house. Did Finn tell you I offered?”

The leather beneath me creaks again as I shuffle uncomfortably. “Yes, he told me, but my babysitting days are over.”

“I told you we’re not together anymore. And enough with the digs. I could talk about your exes, you know.”

“I’d like to see you try.” I huff out a laugh. There’s been no one for years. Not even a one-night stand. The menopause has seen to that.

“What about you and the prime minister?”

I glare at him. “Don’t you even dare go there. As if I would.”

“You seem pretty tight to me.”

“It’s my job. If you must know, I can’t stand the weasel. I’m just biding my time for his position.”

“Ah yes, I forgot you lot are a bunch of backstabbing bastards.”

“Like you with your cutthroat property deals.” I fold my arms over my chest. “At least I’m trying to make a difference in the world. You’re just lining your own pockets.”

“So are they.” He huffs. “You weren’t complaining when I was funding your campaigns back in the day.”

I turn in my seat to study him as he drives. On the outside, he’s the same man I fell in love with. Apart from the creases around his eyes and the greying hair and stubble. He’s more buff now, too. He was always slender, but now he’s filled out. Same as me, only mine’s the midlife midriff, his is a midlife crisis with his new sports car, new body, and until recently, new woman.

Alex always supported my vision of a better Britain, and I always supported his development business, but ironically that’s what came between us in the end. He wanted to pursue his own career and his developments business was taking up more and more of his time overseas. I guess he chose that over me. His work always came first.

He’s done well for himself and I couldn’t be prouder, but the man before me isn’t the same person he once was. There’s no sparkle in his eyes, as if he’s all business and no pleasure. I can relate. Working as the chancellor of the exchequer is no picnic either.

“So, about staying at my place? The offer still stands. I have plenty of room. You wouldn’t see me.”

“I’m staying with Finn.” A smile spreads across my face as I think of spending time with my son and his fiancée. “What’s she like?”

“Who?”

“Shelly.”

“She’s…” His lips curve. “She’s a lot like you were when we were young. Headstrong. Passionate.” He pauses for a moment. “Stubborn.”

“Sounds like we’ll get on.” My heart swells at thoughts of having a daughter. I always wanted more children, but work has kept me busy, unable to find love after Alex, let alone expand my family.

“You’ll get along if Finn leaves her alone long enough for you to speak.” His shoulders shake with a silent laugh.

“Well, thank goodness they worked it out. He was miserable when he came back to the UK.”

Alex nods. “She brings out the best in him, that’s for sure.” He takes his eyes from the road to glance at me. “Like I said, she reminds me of you when you were young.” His eyes linger for a beat too long before he refocuses on the road.

There’s a sadness in his eyes, tinged with a little regret, mirroring my own emotions. Now that we’re older, I can see things from a different perspective.

We may have it all with our careers and financial stability and a wonderful son who we raised together, but looking back, I wish I’d spent less time at work.

Alex drives over the river into Magnolia Point, heading towards the coast. With the tourist season over, the town seems peaceful. “I’ll drop you off at his rental.”

“Thank you.” Candy canes line the entrance to the resort, reminding me it’s Christmas next week. With the warm weather in South Carolina, it feels more like an English summer than Christmas time.

Lights wrap around palm trees on the side of the road, transporting me back in time to our family holiday in Palm Springs. A whimsical smile spreads across my face as I remember Finn as a child.

It was our last family holiday before Alex and I divorced. But there were some wonderful memories from that trip. One that stands out is when Finn knocked over his paints onto Alex’s cream suit right before a business dinner. But that was Alex, never missing a networking opportunity, even if it was Christmas Day.

“We’re here.” Alex brings the car to a halt outside a small chalet. The lapping of the water in the distance from the marina soothes me as I step out of the car. Twirling around, taking in the surroundings, my cotton dress flares at the knee. I can see why Finn chose this place to live. With the boats in the marina and the beach up ahead, it’s an artist’s dream.

“Mum.” Finn’s voice booms from the doorway and I spin on my heel. He steps closer, towering above me, but he’ll never be too big for a hug from his mother.

“I’ve missed you, son.” I rub his back as I embrace him, then my smile widens as a curvy woman like myself, albeit much younger, appears in the doorway.

With her frizzy blonde hair and slogan t-shirt that reads Always be yourself, unless you can be a turtle , I’m certain this is Shelly, my future daughter-in-law. Though she looks a little different from her picture on the boat that made it into the London Daily . A picture that once seen is impossible to unsee.

“You must be Shelly.” I release Finn and take a few steps to smother my son’s fiancée.

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Jones,” she says with a strained voice. It’s then I realise I’m squeezing the life out of her.

“Ms Jone. I haven’t been a Mrs for a while, but please call me Merryssa.” I let her go, trying to contain my excitement that at age thirty, my son is finally settling down. “I’m so happy to meet you. Finn doesn’t stop talking about you.”

“Mum,” Finn whines as if he’s a teenager and I’ve just embarrassed him in front of his date.

A loud thud makes me jump.

Alex huffs as he wheels my suitcase to my side. “Your luggage ma’am.” He scowls, not liking the role of porter.

“Thank you, Alex.” I’m not about to entertain his mood and spoil this moment.

Behind Shelly, two more people appear. “Here they are, Marley,” a woman says, her floral headscarf covering most of her blonde hair streaked with grey. She jingles as she steps out of the chalet, an arm full of bangles resembling that of a fortune teller.

“Mum, Dad, this is Celeste and Marley Myrtle, Shelly’s parents,” Finn says from behind me as I’m pounced on.

Marley engulfs me, pressing me against his multicoloured kaftan that would give Joseph’s technicolour dreamcoat a run for its money. “Ms. Jones, it’s a pleasure.” He pulls back, holding my shoulders at arm’s length. His voice is calming, as if he’s just returned from a mindfulness retreat.

“The pleasure’s all mine.” I force a smile, a little overwhelmed at meeting my future daughter-in-law and her parents in one go. My hand smooths over my hair, trying to tidy any flyaway strands. “I’m sorry you caught me after a long flight. I thought I would have time to freshen up before being formally introduced.”

“We just got here too from our tour around France. Turns out the B&B is fully booked,” Marley says casually.

My eyes widen. “So, where are you staying?”

“Finn kindly offered us his bed for the week. We were going to bunk up in Shelly’s camper.”

“Didn’t want to disturb the love nest.” Celeste nudges Shelly’s arm, wiggling her eyebrows.

Finn gives me a sheepish smile. “You have the spare room, Mum. Shelly and I will sleep on the sofa.”

I scan the tiny two-bedroom chalet before me. “Sounds cosy,” I say, trying to add a positive spin on the situation.

Alex seems to have cheered up as he silently chuckles. He knows I like my space. I could barely share a home with him, let alone three strangers.

“Finn, you must let your mom take the master bedroom with the en suite. Marley and myself are used to roughing it,” Celeste says and I relax my shoulders a little.

Shelly clears her throat. “Mom, there is no en suite. There’s only one bathroom.”

I gulp. “One bathroom?”

Alex grips the handle of my suitcase with a huff. “Should’ve taken me up on my offer in the first place.” His biceps strain as he lifts my case.

“Offer?” I furrow my brow, watching him wrestle with the case.

With a grimace, he loads it back into the boot of his convertible. “This solves everyone’s problems, Merryssa. You’re staying with me.”