Tangle of Tinsel

My phone buzzes again.

“You should let them know you saw the message.”

Knowing an evasive move when I see it, I grit my teeth. “Romy—”

My phone buzzes again, and I snarl and fight the urge to throw the infernal device against a wall.

“They’re waiting,” she reminds me gently.

“Right.” We can’t talk things out right now, but I’m not known for giving up when I want something. “I’ll call you.”

“Thank you for today.” Her smile is tinged with a melancholy I don’t understand.

“It’s the first of many.”

“We’ll see.” It’s not a no, but the doubt makes me think of her story about her father.

My phone buzzes again, and I throw my hands up in the air. “I need to go before my phone implodes.”

She walks me to the door. I put on my jacket, carefully considering my words, then run my thumb over her kiss-swollen lips.

“I will see you soon, Romy.” I kiss her forehead and step out into the cold, immediately missing the warmth and happiness I left behind.

“CALEB.” A CULTURED voice causes me to turn to my left. A big-haired blonde rushes toward me in a blur. I open my arms and set my stance in time to catch her. A cloud of designer perfume engulfs me. Wrapping her arms around my neck, she lifts up her heels. “I’ve really missed you.” She kisses my cheek sweetly, and red flags wave wildly. PDAs were never her style. Setting her down, I take a few steps back from her clingy hold.

“What are you doing here, Laurene?”

She blinks. “You said you wanted to talk, and I didn’t think we should do that over the phone. Besides ...” She looks up at me through her impossibly long, fake lashes. Mink. I shelled out enough money on them to remember. “I wanted to see what you love so much about this place.” The contempt in her voice is at odds with the smile she’s aiming my way. Her collagen treated lips curve up, revealing pearly whites. “I mean, it did steal you away from me.” Pouting, she trails her manicured fingertips up the collar of my coat.

She’s perfectly polished in her thr

ee-inch heeled boots, red hat, red lips, and red wool coat. The look does nothing for me.

“When I said we’d talk soon, it wasn’t an invitation to show up unannounced.”

“I know you hate surprises, but this is a good one. It’s the holidays, and now you won’t spend them alone.”

“I wasn’t going to anyway. Between family traditions, working for Nona, and friends, I don’t have time to keep you entertained.”

Annoyances flashes in her crystalline blue eyes. “Surely she can have someone cover a couple of your shifts.”

“No, she can’t. This is the busy season. We have all hands on deck. After New York, this place is going to be dull. There are plenty of small businesses to visit and holiday events, but none I’d see you really enjoying.”

“Don’t be so sure. You know I can be adventurous.” She drops her tone and wiggles her eyebrows.

“There’s the Christmas festival with a live nativity scene tonight. My niece, Jennifer, is Mary, and I promised her I’d stop by. We’ll have to head there as soon as we grab your bag to make it.”

She wrinkles her nose. “Since when are you religious?”

People don’t remain stagnate. “I don’t need to be to support my family.”

“Yeah, but I thought you and your Uncle Paul weren’t even on speaking terms.”

“Delving deep in my family issues isn’t on my to-do list today. Things change.”

Her lips press into a straight line. “Fine.”

“How long are you here, Laurene?”