Chapter Forty-four
Martina
“Mommy, how much longer?” Charlie whines.
After two flights, including a three-hour layover, a thirty-minute train ride, and waiting another half hour for an Uber, my son is exhausted.
“We’re almost there, buddy.”
“I can ride the elvator?”
I snicker. “Yes, Charlie, you can ride the elevator.”
I hope.
The streets are near empty. Donovan’s Pub is dark despite the fact that it’s only 7:00 pm. This is nothing like what we saw in New York City an hour ago, where no matter the day, people are out and about. But this town is different. Everyone is home spending time with family. I sigh and wonder—not for the first time today—if this is a good idea. It’s been weeks and he hasn’t reached out. If he wanted me—really wanted me—he’d have given me some kind of indication.
Am I the most pathetic woman on the face of the earth showing up unannounced on a man’s doorstep on Christmas Eve of all days? I close my eyes and breathe, feeling anxiety take hold.
I could have called him. Or emailed. Or even sent a letter. Why did I have to take my son away from his family and drain my bank account on a whim?
Because you love him.
And you have to know.
Not for the first time today, or even over the past three weeks, I gaze down at the picture on my phone. The only photo I have of Dallas. The one with the snowman between us. The way he’s looking over at me—I hold onto that. The eyes don’t lie even when the lips do.
It crosses my mind that I’ve been reading far too much into this photo and I just happened to snap it at the precise moment that made it look like he was looking at… I don’t know, an angel. Am I completely off base here?
“Ma’am?” I look up at the driver, who’s staring at me in the rearview. “We’re here.”
My chest tightens. It’s hard to take a deep breath. My hands shake. Is this what a panic attack feels like?
“Right. Thank you.”
I quickly swipe away the photo and pull up the app to give the driver a larger-than-normal tip.
He gets our single suitcase from the trunk, and I slip Charlie’s small backpack onto his shoulders.
“Merry Christmas,” the driver says, resuming his place behind the wheel.
For a moment, I contemplate asking him to wait. Because the only thing more pathetic than me showing up here would be Dallas rejecting me and then having to wait on the curb with Charlie for another half-hour for another Uber—which might even be the same guy. I can’t imagine there are many people who require an Uber on Christmas Eve. Not here.
Instead, I pull my big-girl panties on, and hope for the best. “Merry Christmas.”
Charlie beats me to the front door by a mile. He’s talked about this place for weeks. As I approach, I look up at the massive house with its extensive outdoor balconies lining the entire second floor, the gorgeous colonial architecture, the eight garages.
And the cars. My heart seizes for a second. There are plenty of extra cars in the driveway. An indication there are more people inside than just the few I was hoping for. I think about those people. How inviting they were. How down to earth and hospitable for a bunch of billionaires. The people inside . My heart stutters at the thought that Dallas might not even be one of them. He’s almost twenty-nine years old. Would he even be living here? It’s been weeks. Maybe he’s gotten his own place.
I swallow. Or maybe… he’s back at the cabin, having decided this wasn’t what he wanted after all.
I scan all the cars in the driveway, noting his truck is not among them. Then again, there are eight garages. If he’s living here, he could be parked in one.
My mouth goes dry.
Lord, I could be crashing this family’s Christmas. And if I’m not wanted, there will literally be no place for me to go. I should have researched hotels before coming. Or better yet, I should never have come.
Charlie reaches up and presses the doorbell before I have a chance to back out.
A bark coming from the other side of the door gives me hope that he’s here.
Charlie peeks through the sidelight. “Bex!”
The door opens and Sarah stands there, looking stunned, as Bex all but tackles my son to the ground and covers him with dog kisses.
“Marti.”
She hesitates long enough after saying my name that a dozen bad scenarios run through my head. Bad scenarios like what if he is here, but he’s not alone. What if he’s here with a woman? A date. A new girlfriend even.
But before I pass out from crippling stress, she pulls me into her arms. “What a lovely surprise.”
I relax into her and return the hug. Surely she wouldn’t have said it if he were inside sharing eggnog with a slender beauty without any so-called baggage.
“I’m so sorry to show up like this. I know it’s a terrible imposition but—”
“Nonsense. I said you were welcome here anytime and I meant it. And it’s Christmas Eve. The more the merrier.” She squats down and hugs Charlie now that he’s done greeting Bex. “And you. I’m so happy to see you, Charlie.”
“Mommy said I can ride the elvator.”
She laughs. “As much as you want.” She stands and moves aside. “Come in out of the cold. You can leave your suitcase here in the foyer. We’ll get you situated later.”
I do as she says, still terrified of what’s inside. Am I about to walk in on a huge family dinner?
She escorts us to the living room where the massive Christmas tree is twinkling with gorgeous lights. Under it are more presents than I’ve ever seen in my entire life.
Charlie’s eyes go wide and he races over, past the many people now looking at us. “Mommy! Look!”
Guilt crawls up my spine. I came empty handed. I’m imposing on this family, and I didn’t so much as bring a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers. I packed a few of the smaller presents I picked up for Charlie, but as this was a spur-of-the moment decision, that was the best I could do.
I’m truly out of my league, element, and socio-economic class.
As Charlie scans the presents, I peruse the room. There are a lot of people here. Many I recognize from Lucas’s birthday party. They aren’t sitting down to a big family dinner, but they are all staring at me, many with slack jaws and surprised looks on their faces. Some are snickering.
Why are they laughing? Have I made a colossal mistake?
The one person I don’t see, however, is the very person I flew up here for.
Allie steps forward wearing a gorgeous silver, red, and green mini dress that shows off her amazing figure. She’s got the biggest smile of them all. “Marti!” She practically laughs out my name. “Oh my god. No freaking way.”
She looks genuinely happy to see me, but something seems… off.
Whispers ensue behind her. Ones I’m sure I’m the topic of.
“And Charlie,” she adds, plowing through the crowd. She looks at her mom. “Did you tell her?”
Sarah smiles and shakes her head like they all have this huge secret I’m not privy to.
“Come,” Allie says, pulling me toward the bar that’s manned by an actual bartender wearing a uniform. “She’ll have the eggnog. Make it strong. She’s going to need it.”
Those words have dread tightening my stomach once again.
The man behind the bar quickly does her bidding and hands me the drink, topped off with a sprinkled holiday nutmeg pattern. I take it, but don’t sip. I’m far too nervous and fear it may end up all over my shirt.
“Allie, what is it?”
The room is silent but for a few lingering whispers. It’s like everyone is waiting to see what I’m going to do. I hate being the center of attention.
“Dallas isn’t here.”
I feel ill. All I can do is nod and hold back tears.
She tilts her head, looking amused. “Aren’t you going to ask why?”
“I’m not sure I want to know the answer.”
She giggles. “Oh, I think you do.”
I blow out a breath. “Okay then. Why?”
She glances at a huge clock on the wall that must be eight feet wide and has roman numerals as numbers. “I’m guessing right about now he’s knocking on your door.”
“My door?” I almost hyperventilate. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, my idiotic brother finally came to his senses about seven hours ago and chartered a jet to fly him to Orlando. He’s probably standing outside your place wondering where the hell you are, looking about as confused as you do right now.” She laughs again. “I’d give anything to see the look on his face when he finds out you’re here.”
It takes a minute to digest this information. He flew to Orlando. For me? “Are you serious?”
Lucas and Blake come over, smiling. “It’s true,” Lucas confirms. “You can’t even imagine the hell it’s been to be around him lately. The pain in the ass did nothing but sulk and work. I told him what a fool he was and convinced him to do something about it.”
Blake elbows him. “Hey now, I’m the one who convinced him.”
“Boys,” Sarah says, joining the conversation. “I’m not sure anyone needed to convince him of anything. He just needed time to realize it himself.”
“Realize what exactly?” I ask.
Sarah grins. “I suppose that’s something you should ask him.”
“Do you… think I should call him?”
“Won’t do any good,” Lucas says, holding up his phone. “He just texted that he’s flying back. He may even make it by midnight.”
My eyes bulge. “How is that even possible? It’s Christmas Eve.”
“My dear,” Sarah says, “I get the feeling my son would move mountains for you. Now, come, we were just getting ready to sit down for dinner. Two more place settings have already been added.”
Before I can even thank her, Charlie comes plowing over, pointing back at the tree. “Mommy, is there pwesents for me?”
I sigh, eyeing the massive pile that must have a hundred expertly wrapped gifts, because I only have two in my bag.
“Of course there are presents for you,” Sarah says. “Lots and lots of them.”
Charlie claps excitedly and Allie whisks him off to the dining room.
“Sarah, I—”
“You only have one suitcase, Marti. I know what you’re going to say. I’ll take care of it. We have an arsenal of toys we bought when Maisy came into our lives. She’s already outgrown many of them. They’ll be wrapped and under the tree by morning.”
Tears come to my eyes. “I don’t know how to thank you. I wish I could repay your kindness. I’m so sorry I came empty-handed.”
“I’m confident you’re about to make my son happier than he’s been in many years. Believe me, that’s all the thanks I need. And it’s a million times better than anything you could put under that tree.”
~ ~ ~
Hours later, after being fed, showered, and dressed up—thanks to Allie’s extensive designer wardrobe—Allie and I are sipping eggnog by the tree while Charlie is fast asleep in a guest room.
“Does your family not stay up until midnight on Christmas Eve?” I ask.
“They wanted to give you some privacy. I’m not as discreet. I’m here for the show.”
Butterflies flutter around my stomach knowing he’s going to arrive any minute. Will he take me in his arms? Kiss me? Tell me he loves me?
I think back to when he told me about the butterfly effect, and I wonder just how it applies to us. Did a butterfly flap its wings in Connecticut, causing a shift in the wind that had me skidding off the road? Did a group of them migrating to Mexico create a disturbance in the atmosphere, instigating the blizzard that snowed us in? Did one of them—
My thoughts are cut short when the security system chimes, a sound I’ve learned means the front door has been opened. My whole body stiffens. This is it. Heat not coming from the fireplace burns throughout my body.
When Dallas steps into the living room and sees me, the rest of the world falls away. When he locks eyes with mine, and gooseflesh prickles my skin, I know with one-hundred-percent certainty that I love this man more deeply than I ever thought one could love. When his mouth turns up in a small smile, my heart thunders with hope. Hope that even though he’s had a true, mad, deep love, there is still room for more.
“Hey,” he says, dropping his bags as a sultry grin slowly overtakes his handsome face.
Without a second of hesitation, I run straight into his arms.