Chapter 28
‘O h my word,’ Joyce said as Alex placed a tray of drinks on the table. ‘These are like Christmas decorations.’
She was right. Alex’s White Christmas Mojitos looked too good to consume.
He’d mixed rum and soda water with thick and creamy coconut milk, poured it over crushed ice and muddled mint, lime and sugar.
Sat on what could only be described as a snowy mountain in a glass, pomegranate seeds served as a bright and festive garnish, giving the cocktail a delicious winter wonderland vibe.
The only seat available was the one opposite me and hesitating over taking it, Alex met my gaze. He smiled, but I could see it was forced.
‘What are you waiting for?’ Joyce patted the vacant spot. ‘Sit down.’
Despite his reluctance, Alex did as he was told.
‘Cheers, everyone,’ Joyce said.
Trying to summon the expected enthusiasm, I raised my glass. ‘Cheers.’
Savouring the flavours, Joyce swooned. ‘This definitely tastes as good as it looks. Talk about feeding your Christmas spirit.’
‘I agree,’ Erin said, putting her glass down. ‘Alex, you’re a genius.’
His furtive glance towards the bar told me he was desperate for Ted to finish his pint so he could excuse himself. Having never seen Alex so uncomfortable, my chest ached.
‘So what are you doing for Christmas, Alex?’ Joyce asked.
His eyes lit up. ‘I’m heading home to spend it with family.’
As he and Joyce shared their expectations of the upcoming holidays, I felt Erin’s hand on my knee.
I hadn’t realised my foot was bouncing up and down and as she steadied it, she discreetly jolted her head in Alex’s direction.
She willed me to join in with the conversation, but I shook my head, just as discreetly declining.
‘I miss family Christmases,’ Joyce said. ‘Instead of a cruise, it would have been nice to fly out to Australia to spend time with Nial. But Richard doesn’t do aeroplanes. Which I suppose is a good job. With no guarantee of keeping Richard out of the kitchen, why spoil their day too?’
I sucked on the straw of my White Christmas Mojito.
Compared to everyone else’s drink, mine appeared to be vanishing at pace and I put my glass down, giving the others a chance to catch up.
Listening to Joyce and Alex, it wasn’t that I didn’t want to include myself in their discussion.
I just knew everything I said would sound contrived; nothing like the easy interaction I usually enjoyed.
Joyce suddenly fell silent and narrowed her eyes. ‘You’re quiet all of a sudden, Hattie.’
I should have known her gossip antennae would activate, and I made another grab for my glass. ‘Just enjoying my drink.’
She looked around the group, suspicious. ‘What have I missed?’
‘Actually, Joyce,’ Erin said, jumping in. ‘I wondered if I could have a quiet word.’
‘Oh no,’ Joyce said, shaking her head. ‘We’re not doing that again.’
Ignoring her protests, Erin indicated the door. ‘A quiet and very private word.’
Joyce looked from me to Alex and like any good bloodhound, she knew when she was onto something. ‘You may as well tell me.’
Erin rose to her feet and taking Joyce’s arm, hauled her into a standing position.
‘What about my cocktail?’
Erin picked it up and shoved it into her hand. ‘Happy now?’
‘This is the second time you’ve hoicked me off,’ Joyce said. She eyed everyone present. ‘Someone better start talking.’
Erin looked to me, her eyebrows raised as if asking what she should do.
Joyce’s tenacity knew no bounds and realising I had no choice but to relent, I nodded, giving Erin the go-ahead to explain.
Erin gestured to the door. ‘Now will you come with me?’
Joyce stopped resisting and led the way.
Left to our own devices, Alex again glanced over at the bar, but he was evidently too polite to cut and run. Not that I blamed him for wanting to escape. The mixed signals I’d sent had to be as confusing to him as they were to me; Alex probably thought I was some sort of tease.
Our eyes met and knowing one of us had to say something, I drank a bit more mojito for Dutch courage. ‘So how’ve you been since…?’ Referring to our almost-kiss, my cheeks flushed. Cringing, I wanted to kick myself for drawing attention to the very thing we’d been avoiding.
‘Fine. And you?’
‘Fine.’
Quiet descended once more, and while Alex played with his hands, I again picked up my glass. I drew hard on the straw creating a long loud slurp. Horrified, I froze.
Alex’s face broke into a smile and relieved the ice between us had finally broken, I relaxed too.
‘You should have done that sooner,’ Alex said.
I chuckled, wishing I had.
Alex looked down at his hands again and taking a deep breath, he exhaled as if preparing to speak.
I could tell from his expression that, like me, he’d been thinking and knew what had to be done. As he tried to conjure the right words, having planned on saying the same thing I thought it only right I save him the embarrassment. ‘I agree,’ I said, jumping in first.
Alex squared his shoulders. ‘I think it’s for the best.’
Taking in his deep brown eyes, strong jaw and perfect lips, I nodded.
Alex moving into the flat might have been a great idea in theory, but in practice it would have been impossible.
Just looking at him stirred something in me and after our two close calls, I couldn’t trust myself to keep my distance for a third time. ‘Me too.’
Again, we fell silent, and my brain scrambled for something to say.
‘Are you all ready for Christmas?’ Alex asked.
‘I don’t have much to do now we’re going to Gideon’s parents’ house.’
‘I see.’
A look that I couldn’t decipher flashed across Alex’s face and I winced. Considering Gideon’s behaviour towards the man in front of me, I should have been more sensitive.
Alex chewed on his lip as if deliberating something and opening his mouth to speak, he fell quiet again. Observing him, I felt saddened. The Alex I’d got to know was confident. Words came easy. Nothing about him had been hesitant.
He suddenly gathered himself and leaning forward in his seat, he placed his arms on the table. He looked at me direct. ‘I need to say something.’
As he held my gaze, the seriousness in his eyes was both scary and exciting. My heart, along with the butterflies playing havoc in my tummy, wanted to hear what was on Alex’s mind. They willed him to tell me I was making a mistake. That Gideon wasn’t the man for me, he was. ‘Please don’t,’ I said.
Alex stared at me, his eyes narrowing as if he was weighing up my request. His shoulders slumped. ‘Okay,’ he said, his voice gentle. He regarded me for a moment longer, and giving the table a quick double tap, he straightened himself up. Alex indicated the bar. ‘I should get back to it.’
Rising to his feet, he picked up my empty glass. Stepping away from the table, he paused, as if needing to take one last look at me. ‘Friends?’ he asked.
I smiled and nodded. ‘Friends.’