CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“Come on, Mopey Joe,” Holly said. “You’re killin’ the vibe here.”
Alex snapped to. It had been a week since she’d told Brody they should “take a break.” She was sure she’d be over him by now, but thoughts of him lurked everywhere and distracted her at inopportune moments.
“Sorry,” Alex said, shaking her head. “Is it my turn?”
Holly and Cole had arrived the night before, and everyone was gathered at Nick and Faith’s to exchange Christmas presents early. They were down to the last few boxes.
“Actually,” Holly said. “Y’all need to go at once with these.” She passed out identically wrapped gifts to Faith, Tess, Juliet, and Alex before returning to sit next to Cole, who winked and grabbed her hand.
Alex ripped at the paper as the others did the same. Faith got hers open first and let out a happy gasp, causing Alex to move faster. Tearing open the box, she found a plain yellow T-shirt with the words “Auntie Alex” scripted on the front. Tears welled immediately. Holly was pregnant.
They all jumped up, screaming and hugging and crying, overjoyed for their friend.
“I’m so happy for you,” Alex whispered into Holly’s ear as she hugged her tight. “Congratulations.”
“I wondered why you weren’t drinking,” Tess said. “I should have known.”
“Is this why you insisted we exchange gifts first thing?” Juliet asked.
“Yes,” Holly said. “It would be impossible for me to hold on to this secret all week.”
The fantastic news dominated the conversation for most of the evening—questions of how Holly was feeling, how and when she’d found out, how she told Cole, when the due date was, and whether they were going to find out the sex.
Alex was relieved to have a distraction from her breaking heart, but later that night, Holly cornered her and brought up the topic. Nick and Cole huddled in a corner, trading law enforcement war stories, and Tess and Juliet were helping Faith in the kitchen. That left Holly an opening.
“I miss you, woman.” Holly plopped down beside her.
“Miss you too,” Alex said, rubbing her friend’s stomach. “Any chance a baby means you’ll come home?”
“Cole’s got a few more years before he can retire, but as soon as that happens, we’ll be back. NYC’s okay, but I’m not raising my kids there.”
Alex nodded. Their whole team was close—very close—but Alex and Holly had been best friends “on the side” for some time, and losing her had been an adjustment for Alex.
“So, what’s the story with you and Brody?”
Alex sighed, knowing this conversation was unavoidable. There was no way the others hadn’t already filled Holly in on what they knew, and Alex was fine telling her everything they didn’t.
“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” Alex said, referring to her “let’s take a break” suggestion. “I thought it was best to just get it over with. You know, before things got too far along.”
“But now you’re having second thoughts?”
“Honestly, I assumed it’d be an out-of-sight, out-of-mind situation. It didn’t occur to me that I’d think about him more after breaking up. I just need more time, and he’ll be out of my system.”
“I don’t think love works that way. Have you heard from him?”
Alex didn’t bother to refute the L-word. Holly knew her better than anyone, and denying it would be pointless. “A few texts and calls at first, nothing in the last couple of days.”
“I’m sure he’s busy taking care of his mom,” Holly said diplomatically. “What will you say when he comes back?”
“Beats me.” Alex shrugged. “All his stuff’s still in the cabin. Lauren said he paid for another week via the website. I told her to email him and ask if he wants us to box up his belongings and ship them to him, but I don’t know if she’s done that yet.”
“Christmas is coming,” Holly said, elbowing her. “Maybe some holiday magic is what you need.”
“I don’t believe in magic.” Alex laid her head on Holly’s shoulder. “I am glad you’re here though.”
“What are you gonna ask Santa for?” Since they were both basically parent-less—Holly’s dad was in jail and her mom on the other side of the country—they’d taken to buying themselves presents and joking that they were from Santa. Since marrying Cole, Holly didn’t have that problem anymore.
“I think I’m finally gonna break down and get a treadmill,” Alex said. “You know how much I hate running in the cold.”
Holly hummed. “That’s a good idea.”
Faith and Tess brought out dessert, and everyone flocked to the coffee table for raspberry cheesecake and cranberry mojitos. They talked and teased, ate and drank until late that night.
Two days later, Alex was once again gathered with her posse around the TV in Faith’s living room, waiting for Maddie’s show to start.
“Alex, where’re you going?” Faith said. “Sit down.”
“I’m just getting a refill,” Alex said. Her four friends, who’d been cagey since she arrived, stared at her. “Why are you guys acting so weird?”
“We’re not,” Juliet said. “But you sit. I’ll get it.” She grabbed Alex’s glass as Tess cranked up the volume on the TV.
Alex turned to complain, but stopped when Brody’s face popped up on the screen. She froze as he began to speak.
“I’m Brody Collins, and I’ve been all over the world.” As he spoke, images of endless blue oceans, deep green rainforests, and sandy deserts flashed in the background. “But one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been is a little town nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.”
The pictures switched to images Alex recognized—Main Street at dusk, the falls in the height of “leaf” season, a solitary duck on the lake at dawn.
“It’s more than just a picturesque place in the woods. It’s an environment made to heal. Too often these days, we lock into our phones and don’t take the time to look up, to connect with those we love. I found a place that makes all that possible. Whispering Pines.”
Alex’s mouth fell open as Brody continued.
“Friendly staff, roomy, clean cabins, spectacular views, and best of all, no Wi-Fi. Book your visit today, and unplug to recharge.”
At the end, the website address for Whispering Pines flashed across the screen.
Tess turned the sound down again as Alex jumped up from the couch. “Did you…? What the…? Why would he…?”
“I had to make up for the bad review,” Brody said.
Alex spun around, her heart flying into overdrive. She noticed her friends were not at all surprised by Brody’s sudden appearance.
“You’re back?” she said lamely.
“I’m back.” He walked to her and took her hands in his.
“You didn’t have to do that, Brody. I wasn’t holding it against you.”
“Maybe not, but I wanted to. I want to do anything to make your life easier. To make you happy.”
When Alex looked around again, the room had cleared. She had no doubt they were all huddled just outside the door though. Picturing it made her smile.
“Did you really think you could get rid of me so easily?”
“I never said ‘get rid’ of you,” she claimed.
“I heard a rumor about digging a hole for my body in someone’s backyard?”
“Oh, that.” She bit back a laugh. “Technically, that was Tess’s idea.”
“Hear me out.” He pulled her down to sit next to him on the couch.
“I know you’re scared, or leery, or whatever you are, but I’m certain of this.
Certain enough for both of us until you catch up.
I love you, Alexandra Gray. I’m moving to Green Valley Falls.
So, whether you give me another chance or not, I’ll be around. ”
“It’s not that I don’t want to give you a chance.” She sighed. “I’ve just come to always expect the worst. It’s also very hard to believe that of all the women in the world, you would like me so much.”
“Love you,” he corrected. “And why the heck wouldn’t I? You’re funny, beautiful, stubborn, and smart. I’ll admit, I doubted myself a little at first. Not you. Just whether I knew what love was. I mean, hell, I came this close to proposing to a selfish shrew that would have made my life miserable.”
“What makes you so sure this is real love then?” What she really wanted to ask was, how did anyone know when any love was real?
“I hate being away from you. I hate that I hurt your business with that stupid review. I especially hate that you thought, even for one second, that Chloe and I would ever get back together. I love your laugh and how tenacious you are. And I love that you’re confident enough to drain threes in a stadium full of people, but tender enough to adopt an injured duck. ”
The corners of her mouth curled into a smile. “Wow. You’re really selling it.”
“But most of all,” he continued. “I can’t picture the future without you in it.”
“You do make a lot of good points,” she said, and he laughed.
His laugh, along with his words, warmed her heart. And if he could bare his soul, then so could she.
“Brody,” she started. “I love you too. I love that you’re kind and generous and strong and funny. That you’re patient and gorgeous. And I know it’s love because I can be around you for days at a time and not be annoyed.”
His cocky grin fueled her fire, and she held up a hand so he would let her finish.
“I’m sorry I said we should break up. I was afraid of my feelings.
Afraid to let you in. Scared to trust someone.
To avoid getting hurt, I built a wall around my heart, but you broke in and melted it anyway.
I’m not really into mushy, squishy feelings—this is probably the most you’ll ever get—but I love you, Brody. ”
He smiled and flipped his baseball hat around backward to kiss her. A move that was her kryptonite.
“Ah, man,” she muttered, launching herself at him. After sealing the deal with a long kiss, she pulled back. “My friends knew about this?”
“Yes.” He nodded. “And that reminds me, I got you an early Christmas present, but it’s at your place.”
“Ooh. What is it?”
“A treadmill,” he said. “I realize it’s a risky gift, fraught with possible sexist overtones, but don’t think it’s any condemnation or comment about your weight. Your friends said it’s what you wanted.”
She laughed. “You’re a brave man, Brody Collins.”
“I also got you two tickets to Italy. I’m hoping you’ll take me, but you don’t have to.”
“What? That’s amazing,” she exclaimed, hugging him. “Thank you. Of course I’ll take you.”
“Whew.” He kissed her again. “So, does this mean I can get a better rate on my cabin?”
“Are you kidding me? After your commercial, we’re gonna be booked to the gills. You’re gonna have to move out so I can rent that thing for top dollar.”
“Cursed by my own good deed,” he said. “But I hope that’s the case.”
“Oh, my gosh. I forgot to ask about your mom. How is she?”
“Better every day,” Brody said. “I hired a nurse to do all the hard stuff. I’ve just been keeping her company, cooking, and running errands. I’ll have to split my time between here and there for a while, but she was adamant that I come fix things with you as soon as I could.”
“I’m glad she’s feeling better. Hey, you wanna see something funny?” she whispered.
“I think I know where this is going.” He chuckled as she tiptoed to the door, throwing it open suddenly and watching her friends tumble into the room.
“Hah. That’s what you get for keeping secrets from me,” Alex said.
They ignored her complaint and engulfed her in hugs. Faith went to the kitchen and came back with two bottles of champagne and glasses.
“To Holly’s bun in the oven,” Tess said, raising her glass. “And to Alex’s lucky streak now extending to love.”
They celebrated long into the night, and afterward, Alex took Brody home for their own celebration. Christmas had come early, bringing her the man of her dreams, and she wasn’t about to return this gift.