Christmas Ever After (Puffin Island 3)

“My mother would think it was organized. She’s probably going to bill me for the cancellation charge.”

“I don’t understand your parents. It’s as if they don’t care what you want.” Emily looked puzzled. “They don’t respect who you are.”

“That’s because I’m not who they want me to be.”

Lizzy licked the spoon and looked at her solemnly. “Emily says you can be anything you want to be.”

Sky smiled, remembering a time when she’d believed that. “And she’s right.” Just not when you have parents like mine, she thought. Then, you could be who you wanted to be but it came at a price, and that price was grim disapproval.

Emily wiped her hands. “I’m so glad we’re all spending Christmas together. Brittany has invited Agnes, too. It will be fun.”

“It will.” But somehow she was no longer looking forward to it.

What if she couldn’t pretend anymore in front of Alec? What if he guessed how she felt?

The cake in the oven, Lizzy went to play with Cocoa, their spaniel.

The moment she left the room, they both spoke at the same time.

“There’s something I need to tell you—”

They stared at each other and then laughed, remembering the number of times they’d done the same thing in the past.

“You go first.” Sky felt guilty that all she’d done since she’d walked into the room was talk about Alec. “Is it about Something Seashore? How is everything going?”

“Good. We’re all set to open at Easter—but no, that isn’t my news.”

“Then what? What’s wrong?” Sky picked up the mug, noticing for the first time the dark circles under her friend’s eyes. “You look really tired. Is it still that bug? Have you seen a doctor?” She leaned forward, worried. “Tell me. Is it Ryan?”

“No! He’s wonderful. I adore him. I— He’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“Is it Lizzy?” Seriously concerned, Sky went through the list of possibilities but Emily shook her head and tears suddenly welled in her eyes. “Now you’re scaring me.” Forgetting her own problems, Sky was on her feet and round the table in two strides. “Whatever it is, we’ll fix it together. Do you want me to call Brit?”

“No.” Emily wiped her face with her palm just as Ryan walked into the room.

His murmur of apology died the moment he saw the tears. “Em?” His voice was raw. “Are you ill, sweetheart? What’s wrong?” He nudged Sky out of the way and took Emily in his arms.

Sky stepped back, feeling redundant.

This was how it was now.

Their friendship was changing, too. Things were different.

Brittany had Zach, Emily had Ryan and she had—

No one.

It would be fo

olish to pretend Alec was going to be in her life for long.

Her friends had both fallen in love with the right guys whereas she—she swallowed—she’d fallen for a man who didn’t want anything to do with love.

Maybe her mother was right. She made crap choices.

Except love wasn’t a choice.

Emily leaned her head against Ryan’s chest. “Just being silly. I’m really emotional. Can’t seem to help it, sorry.”