I keep a firm grip on Rudy’s collar as I snap, “We’re not together. We were never together, actually.”
I glance at Carter, a little sorry to inform him, but even sorrier to say it. I remind myself that it was always going to happen, and it’s better that we rip off the bandage.
Carter arches an eyebrow at me, sounding surprised as he says, “We weren’t?”
I avoid looking at him or the curious Santa buttoning his jacket. Instead, I keep my attention firmly on Rudy, the little devil.
“Aren’t we?” I say with a shrug. “You have your endorsement deal and now you’re leaving town.” I sneak a peek at Carter, who has the gall to look hurt.
“I mean, eventually, but I thought…”
He trails off, as if his lack of explanation is obvious. Which it’s not. Because I know all about his little beach vacation. And if he’s acting for Santa’s sake, that’s just dumb.
Behind us, Tom laughs, a full chortle that would do the real Mr. Claus proud.
“Oh, you two,” Tom says. “We knew you’d hit it off. Joe always thought Lexi would be the perfect wife for you, Carter.”
Uh, excuse me? What the hell does that mean? I look from Tom to Carter, who has the audacity to grin at this.
“Total wife material,” Carter agrees, like this is a normal conversation.
“Um, no, absolutely not,” I say, abandoning Rudy for a moment to jab Carter in the chest with my finger. “Don’t lie about this, Carter.”
“Lie about what?” Carter asks. “I told you from the start that I thought you were wife material. Are you surprised Uncle Joe noticed it too?”
“That’s not the point, you idiot,” I snap, on the verge of losing my mind. “We were faking it! You called me wholesome! You were cleaning up your image for your big endorsement deal!”
“Now hang on a minute, Lex,” Tom says, stepping between us. “Let’s take a breath. Seems like emotions are running a bit hot at the moment.”
“Yeah, maybe because someone decided to dump me on Christmas Eve,” Carter grumbles, which nearly sends me over the edge. As if I am the one doing the dumping. As if any of this is real.
“For the record, this was fake from the beginning,” I explain to Tom. “And even if it wasn’t, he can’t wait to get out of Reindeer Falls.”
“I told you I’m planning on coming back,” Carter interjects.
“Yeah, when you retire,” I say. “But in between now and retirement, you clearly have other plans.”
Plans that don’t involve me, I think miserably.
“Lex, listen to me for a sec,” Tom says. “For Rudy’s sake.”
I glance down and see Rudy watching me with those soulful eyes. Then I look over at Carter. I guess, for Rudy, I can hear Tom out.
“Now you two are so busy misunderstanding each other that you’re missing what’s right in front of you,” Tom says in a scolding tone. “And that’s something your uncle Joe would never have abided, Carter.”
Carter looks sheepish.
“All he ever wanted was for you boys to be happy,” Tom says. “Whether it was with a passion, a project, or, in your case, Carter, a girl.”
Carter looks like he wants to object to this last bit, opening his mouth to retort.
“I’m talking about the love of your life. Why do you think he gave the dog to you, Carter? To bring you two jingle bells together!”
Suddenly, all of the pieces of this crazy puzzle fly together. Uncle Joe knew I loved Rudy more than anything. Knew I’d do whatever it took to secure him. And if Carter had Rudy…
Is it possible?
“Oh, I almost forgot,” Santa says. “Give me a second. I have something I was supposed to give to you.”
He pops back inside for a moment, leaving Carter and I alone on the front porch with Rudy. I can’t look at him. This must be a trick. A trick from Santa Claus, but a trick nonetheless. Because the idea of Uncle Joe playing matchmaker to this level is… well, it would’ve taken a lot of faith in both of us for it to work.
Tom reappears with a small box wrapped in green and red paper with a white bow on top. He hands it to Carter. “Now, it’s a busy night for me, so I’m going to take off. You kids be good… or should I say nice?”
He gives a hearty ho-ho-ho, and then hops onto his sleigh to head off to this Santa gig. His sleigh being a red Honda.
Both Carter and I stare at the package like it might open itself. Finally, because I can’t take it anymore, I nudge Carter’s hand.
“Open it,” I tell him.
He nods, gently sliding a finger under the corner of the paper. With almost furiously delicate motions, he tears the side, revealing a cardboard box. He flips open the top, and there, nestled on some tissue paper, is a handmade ornament with three figures on it.