Christmas Sugar (Insta-Spark)

I shrugged. “Regardless.”

“Is it possible, Dylan, there’s more to this than you’re saying?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Do you know how often you’ve spoken of them since you came back?”

“I spent some time with them. It’s fresh. That’s all.”

“Hmmm. Did you know the last deal you did, a dozen families lost their homes?”

“We compensated them.”

“Generously. But it never bothered you. A dozen of them. One little family and you can’t stop thinking about them.” She set down her glass. “Do you know what I think?”

“I’m sure I’m about to,” I stated wryly.

She ignored my sarcasm. “I think you became emotionally invested.”

“I’m never emotionally invested in a deal.”

“I’m not talking about the deal.”

“Drop it.”

“Hitting too close to home?”

I leaned forward, my voice low. “I’m not sure what you think you know, but there is no future. Alex has her life. I have mine. She won’t leave the East Coast.”

/> She snorted. “I know everything, because I know you, Dylan. And people can move.”

“Did you not hear me? She won’t leave.”

“I wasn’t talking about her, Dylan.”

“Are we at that again?” I huffed. “I am not, repeat, not a family man. Alex and the kids need that sort of man. I don’t know anything about being responsible for another person. I don’t want to repeat the hell of my past. I don’t want to look in the mirror and realize I’ve become my father.”

“Like he did with you, you mean? Ignore the child desperate for your love and immerse yourself in strangers and business instead?”

“Yes.” I shook my head. “I can’t do that.”

“Look again, Dylan,” she said sadly. “It might be too late.” She stood. “I’d like to go home now. I’ll arrange for a car to pick you up.”

I stared at her, unsure how to respond.

“For what it’s worth, I think you’re already feeling responsible, which is why you’re so upset. I don’t think you’ve given yourself enough credit. I don’t think you’re being honest with yourself about a lot of things.” She hesitated, her hand gripping the back of the chair. “Sometimes what we want changes. How we do things has to be adjusted. Often, it’s scary. But if you grab that chance, the end result is amazing, Dylan. Think about it.”

She turned and left, her cryptic words resonating in my head.

I WAS TIRED AND CRANKY the next morning—even crankier than I had been since arriving home.

As soon as Arlene appeared, I was at her, barely waiting for her to sit down before I asked. “Did you arrange for those packages to be delivered?”

“I handled everything, yes.”

“I want them to have the gifts for Christmas.”

“They will—one way or another.”