Page 39 of This Christmas
I let her words settle over me and wait for panic to set in. It doesn’t. “Okay. If that’s what you want,” I say, oddly calm about the situation.
“Wait. What?”
“No backpedaling now, Caryn. I will never accept an ultimatum. They’re childish and never work. I could easily say the same thing to you, get back here or else, but I don’t. So, there ya go. Instead of acting like an adult, you want to listen to Serena and act like a spoiled child.”
“Zane, I?—”
“Didn’t mean it? But you did. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t have said it, and if you truly cared about me, you never would’ve left Deer Ridge and put in some effort here. So, goodbye Caryn. I agree, this is over.” I hang up, saving myself from surely what will be atemper tantrum. Undoubtedly, her father will call me later to lay down the law, and I wouldn’t be surprised if her mom calls to explain her daughter’s behavior.
What feels right though, is this relationship being over. Last night when Caryn didn’t show up to something that was very important to my dad, I knew things were about to change.
Who does something like that?
My phone starts vibrating and I know it’s from the texts and calls from Caryn. I’m already annoyed and shut my phone off. Right now, I have nothing to say. I start walking toward Evangeline’s, needing to apologize. I should’ve never answered my phone during our breakfast. It was rude and I’m tired of putting her feelings on the back burner. She deserves better.
I knock on the door which leads to her apartment, and not the one to her office, and wait. She doesn’t answer and I try again. When there is still no answer, I give up and walk to her office. The door is unlocked so I go in and am greeted with a smile from her assistant.
“Hi, is Evangeline in?”
“May I tell her who’s asking?”
This is one of those moments when I wish I could lie and make up some name. But something tells Eve’s assistant knows exactly who I am by the way she’s looking at me with a playful smirk. I suppose I could turn on the charm, lean on the top of the counter, and give her one of those smoldering gazes or bat my eyelashes.
“Are you flirting with Noelle?” Evangeline’s voice echoes through her office. Gone are the sweatsshe had on earlier, along with my sweatshirt. I’m rather sad that she took it off. She’s wearing jeans, her snow boots, a long-sleeved shirt, and a vest. Definitely not an outfit I’d see a New York City attorney wear, but here it makes sense. And I’m sure she will put some time in at the farm later.
“I’m not, but I was about to if it meant I could see you.”
“Well, I’m not here. I mean obviously, I am, but I’m leaving.” She walks toward me, giving me hope she’s going to stop and talk to me. But no, Eve continues to the door. “Call if you need me.”
“I would but I don’t have your number.”
“I was talking to Noelle,” she says as she walks out the door. I mouth athank youto Noelle and run after Evangeline.
“By chance, do you know where my keys are?”
She raises her arm, and my keys fly toward my head. It’s a good thing I’m not any closer or they could’ve smacked me in the face. I follow her to the truck and stop the door from closing.
“Zane,” she says my name exasperatedly and presses her thumb to her temple. “I’m not in the mood to deal with you. Please go away.”
“I’m a crappy person, I know I am. I should’ve never taken the call during breakfast and I’m sorry.”
“Yep. Can I go now?” She keeps her eyes forward and after a beat, I take a step back and let go of the door.
“Of course. I’ll see you at the farm.”
This gets her to look at me. I smile and wink.
“Why are you going to the farm?”
“It’s simple. I promised you a day of work and honestly, I’m tired of breaking my promises. See ya in a bit, Evangeline.” I back away from her truck and jog across the street, hoping I remember where I parked last night.
My rental is there, complete with awash me I’m dirtynote written on the muddy back window. “Wise guy,” I mutter as I get behind the wheel and head toward the inn with the intent of checking out. I’d rather stay at my dad’s.
Leslie,the innkeeper, is sad to see me go. I’m sure it’s not me she will miss, but the month-long payment from Caryn’s dad. That’s right, he was footing the bill. Honestly, I’m not going to miss being a kept man. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Nothing like having money hung over your head on a daily basis.
This time when I get to the farm, I park in the driveway, where Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb’s cars are. Doing so saves a space in the parking lot for people coming to buy trees. I hop out, put some winter wear on, and grab my work gloves before hustling to the backyard.
There are fifteen or so people trying to buy a tree. Mr. Holcomb is helping one couple, while Eve is in the shack selling some other goods. I jump right in and start selling, remembering everything Benny Holcomb taught me when I was younger.