Christmas Ever After (Puffin Island 3)

Tempting, but I can’t.” Distracted, Britt glanced at her phone. “When Zach gets back from his flight we’re meeting Philip. He saw the doctors again last week.”

“Oh.” Feeling selfish, Sky pushed her own uncertainties aside. “How’s he doing?”

“They’ve changed his meds. Zach worries. Philip and Celia are going to Florida for a couple of months after Christmas in search of better weather. Spend some time together. We might even join them.” She gazed at the cottage and the sea beyond. “I love this part of the island. The perfect romantic hideaway. Do you and Alec even find things to talk about when you’re not having sex?”

They didn’t stop talking, and the talking was almost as exciting as the sex.

She never had to apologize with Alec.

She’d stopped asking him if her hair drove him crazy.

She’d stopped excusing herself for the fact her work was spread all over his garden room.

She never paused before pulling her camera out of her pocket.

Finally, she felt as if she’d found someone who liked her the way she was.

She was about to say as much when Brittany’s phone buzzed.

“That will be my honey, reminding me to walk Jaws. I get all the good jobs.”

“How is Jaws?”

“As physically challenged as ever but healthy.” Brittany read the text. “He is a success story.”

“It was good of you both to take him in.”

“Zach was the one who took him in and they came as a package deal, but Jaws is about as much responsibility as we can handle right now. He’s our baby. We should have dinner sometime soon, all six of us.”

All six of us.

“I’d like that. And maybe we could find some time on our own, too.”

But Brittany didn’t seem to hear her. She was busy texting Zach. She glanced up as Sky opened the door and let in a punch of cold air. “Hey, wait a minute—”

Sky paused, hopeful. “Yes?”

“I had this brilliant idea for Zach for Christmas. Did I ever tell you that when he was little he was never allowed to eat the chocolate from the Christmas tree?”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Probably not something I’m supposed to share, but Lizzy and I are going to hang so much chocolate from the tree this year he is going to feast for a week.” Brittany was grinning, delighted with herself, and Sky smiled, too, pleased to see her friend so happy.

“That’s great. He’s so lucky to have you.”

“I’m lucky to have him. You’ll be next.” It was a throwaway comment and Sky almost said something but Brittany had her head down, texting Zach.

Sky slid out of the car. “Thanks for the ride. Drive safely.”

Brittany pulled away with a wave and Sky picked up her bag and walked to the door feeling lonelier than she ever had in her life before.

ALEC STARED AT the closed door to his garden room.

If Sky was working, he didn’t want to disturb her. On the other hand she’d come back from a morning with Emily and vanished without saying a word and that was unlike her.

From the moment he’d rescued her—she’d kill him if she knew he thought of it as a rescue—from the gallery in London, she’d filled his world with bubbly conversation.

She overflowed with thoughts and ideas.