The Trouble with Christmas (2 page)

“Well, enjoy. It’s my special chocolate mousse! I’ve got to get back to the kitchen,” she said as cheerfully as she could and bolted back to the kitchen.

Back in the safety of her work space—the comfort of heat, routine chaos, creative mixing, and the smells of garlic and tomato sauce—Lily relaxed a little. She had to tell Avery, she just didn’t feel ready to face the concerns, the pity, the questions.

And then, Avery appeared at her station. “Lily, we’re all worried about you. What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Lily lied, her face flushed with guilt.

“Honestly, Lils, it’s not even James’s birthday for another week. You should know that.”

“I’ve just been busy at work. You know, we had all those catering jobs over Thanksgiving, just the busy holiday season,” Lily said, rolling pastry with her rolling pin, preparing the wafer thin dough her famous Sicilian Cannoli deserved. “You’re going to get me in trouble being back here.”

If anything, the chefs—all men—appreciated the appearance of the tall, beautiful blonde. Suddenly, they all found a reason to saunter past the pastry station, a miniature white-hatted parade.

“Bull shit. I told Sergio I was coming back here. Are you and Bob in a fight?” Avery said, blue eyes flashing. “I’m not budging until you tell me the truth. In fact, I want you to come home with me after work. Mark and I drove separately and he’s riding home with my parents, leaving our car. So tell me now, or after work. Your choice.”

Lily felt the tears well up in her eyes before she could stop them. They rolled down both cheeks, landed on the pastry dough, and ruined the batch, the moisture making the delicate dough too sticky. She’d have to start over.

She was starting over.

“Oh, Avery,” she said, hurrying around the stainless steel counter to embrace her friend. “Bob broke our engagement. He said he’s in love with someone else. They’re getting married this Christmas!” Her voice ended in a wail.

Avery wrapped her arm around Lily and escorted her out the kitchen’s back door into the chilly evening. She walked to her car, opened the passenger door and pushed Lily, still wearing her kitchen whites and chef hat, gently inside.

Sobs wracked Lily’s body as Avery climbed into the driver’s seat.

“He was an asshole, Lils,” Avery said, her musical voice for once hard. “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t figure out a way to tell you I didn’t think he was good for you long term. You only saw one side of him.”

“I loved him, Aves,” Lily managed.

“I know,” Avery rubbed circles on Lily’s back. “I know you did. But you deserve much better.”

Lily couldn’t speak anymore, and Avery seemed at a loss for words, stroking Lily’s tangled, damp hair after the chef’s hat had fallen off.

“I need to go back in there, finish my shift,” Lily gulped.

“You’re in no condition,” Avery was already taking over like she always did, like Lily had let her take over for years. “I’m texting mom right now to tell Sergio that you’re very ill. He’ll be fine. Most of the tables are through desert anyway,” Avery said.

Lily wondered what she would do without Avery. Only Avery knew how far Lily had come, overcoming the heartbreak of her teens to emerge as a strong, independent woman. Avery had been there every step of the way. In fact, all of the Putnams had been like a second family, even Avery’s brothers, Blake, James, and Denton were like siblings to her despite the one time she and James crossed a boundary in the back of his car her senior year in high school. They’d both been drinking, and later had promised each other that it would never happen again.

Lily had imagined that once she and Bob had become engaged, she wouldn’t rely on the Putnams’ emotional support again. She would get married and start her happy life. Now she was starting over. Alone. Once again, she would need to lean on Avery, maybe even her family. Lily covered her face and tried to stop the stream of tears and Avery drove away from Alfredo’s.

*

“Lily, are you
awake?” Avery asked, pulling Lily from her dreams.

She opened her eyes and smiled wanly at Avery. The whole night came crashing back—crying, confessing that Bob had dumped her for someone else, leaving work. And now she had to face life alone. Again. Lily looked around the guest bedroom at Avery’s house, which reminded her of the guest bedroom at the Putnam Estate, the same soothing light pink color scheme. She’d spent many nights at the Putnams’ throughout her life, and in almost every case, she’d been there because of an overwhelmingly sad event. Now, she was repeating the pattern, a pathetic guest in Avery and Mark’s new home. A chill moved down her spine as she forced herself to ignore the old memories trying to bubble up in her mind. Bob’s betrayal was enough to deal with for now.
When did he stop loving me? Why did he stop loving me?

“It’s lunch time,” Avery said gently, pulling back the thick silk curtains to reveal a grey, rainy day. “You slept through breakfast.”

Lily slowly sat up. “Thanks for bringing me here, Aves.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t call me the minute he broke up with you. The jerk. You know what Mark said about him right?”

“Boring Bob?” Lily repeated, a small smile crossing her face despite herself.

Avery’s husband found Bob a boring snob who only wanted to talk about money and social status.

“Yes, well, he has appended the nickname and now it’s Boring Bastard Bob. You like it? I do.”

Avery plopped down on the end of the queen bed. She wore a simple black cashmere turtleneck and fitted, dark jeans. Her long blonde hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail. Her gorgeous blue eyes were filled with love and concern.

“You have to be sick of my pathetic life,” Lily said. “I really thought I was on the road to my future. I really believed he loved me.”

“Well, after you went to sleep last night, I did a little snooping,” Avery said, her face drawn and sad. “Bob is planning to marry Rebecca Postle. I don’t know who set them up, his parents or hers, but it’s an arranged marriage of sorts,” Avery said.

“How could he possibly agree to marry her when he’d asked me to marry him?” Lily demanded, playing with the diamond ring on her finger. “I know I never was good enough for Bob’s family.”

“Bob’s not good enough for you if, after five years and a proposal, he caves in to his parents’ wishes. I mean really? Who does that?” Avery’s blue eyes flashed with indignation.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Lily fought back a fresh rush of tears. “Or think about it. I can’t imagine him, kissing her, making love to her.”

“You know what? You need to get angry, and then you need to realize the Postles have done you a big favor. You are better than that, Lils, you are. Good riddance is all I say. You’re keeping the ring right?”

Lily nodded. She hadn’t given it too much thought except to toy with idea of returning it so that she could see Bob again, make him explain himself in person, but after Avery’s outburst, she realized she needed to stop crying. She did need to stop thinking about Bob in present tense.

“Good. That’s a little safety net right there. I know you and Bob had discussed you opening a bakery at one point. That ring could be a nice start to a savings account for that dream.”

“I can’t think about all of that yet,” Lily said. “I don’t want to think about anything, but he’s still in my dreams. It’s like he’s haunting me. And it’s almost the holidays. This is the trouble with Christmas, and every other major holiday. It’s a time for family and love. And once again, I’m alone.”

“You have me, and my family. Mom and I are leaving for Indigo Island tomorrow and you’re coming, too,” Avery said. She excitedly reached for Lily’s hand. “It will be the best thing for you to get away and regroup. We’ll have fun like when we were kids. You have time to stop your mail, clean out your refrigerator, and pack your clothes. We leave in the helicopter in the morning.”

“I can’t,” Lily finally made a move to get out of the comfy bed so she could face the day and the rest of her life. “I have to work. It’s December, the restaurant is crazy busy.”

“I told Alfredo you needed time off,” Avery said, very sure of herself—like always. “And you do. If you want it, he’ll give you your job back when you return. I even helped line up a temporary pastry chef. It’s your choice about whether you return after the holidays. I’d rather have you start your own business,” Avery said, like it was the most natural thing in the world to arrange her friend’s life.

Always so willing to help, Lily thought wryly. To fix her life. She knew she had to stand on her own, but Lily had to admit it felt good to be taken care of after such a blow.

“You’re incredible. You really are. Thank you, Aves,” Lily said, her heart lightened a little bit at the thought of a trip to Indigo Island.

The remote Sea Island was like a second home to her. She’d even thought it would be fun to open her bakery there, but Bob had laughed off that idea as unreasonable.

“So let’s get started. We won’t return until after New Year’s. A whole new year and a new start when we get back.”

Lily looked down at the diamond ring sparkling on her finger and swallowed a sob. She wasn’t quite ready to take it off. And where would she keep it safe, anyway? She took a deep breath and stared out at the grey day. Another new start.

LILY

‡

S
he finished zipping
her suitcase at the same moment the doorbell rang.

“You better be ready, we’re all waiting!” Avery yelled through the door.

Lily smiled. What would she do without her best friend?
I’m thirty years old, suddenly single and adrift.
She opened the door and Avery burst inside.
My best friend is my only constant.

“Wipe that frown off your gorgeous face, immediately,” Avery said pulling her into a bear hug.

Avery wore a light blue cashmere sweater, khaki jeans, and ankle boots. She looked chic and ready for an island adventure. Lily looked down at her own outfit – black turtleneck, black jeans, black boots – and sighed. She looked as gloomy as she felt.

“I hope you’re ready because the Putnams wait for no one, as you know!”

“I’m all set, but are you sure Sergio is okay with this?” Lily said, imagining her boss and all of his Italian temper boiling over at her departure. She needed her job, especially now.

“Yes, I’m positive. It’s all worked out,” Avery said, with her breezy confidence.

“Okay, I have no idea how you did it, but if Alfredo’s can manage without me during the holiday rush, well, they might decide they can manage without me forever.”

“Impossible,” Avery said and grabbed Lily’s suitcase as she pulled her toward the front door. “They’re hosting a guest pastry chef from Paris, a guy who just happens to have always wanted to visit America. He’s a friend, from when I studied abroad. It worked out perfectly. Under the table, of course.”

“You’re amazing,” Lily said, and pulled her apartment door behind her tightly. “Thank you.”

“Anything for my best friend, Lils,” Avery said and led her down the walkway to the white limo, with the Putnam orange P emblazed on the door, waiting at the curb. The driver hopped out and helped them inside and then took care of Lily’s suitcase.

“It’s been forever, John, how are you?” Lily asked.

“Great, same as always, Miss Lily. It’s good to see you,” John said. “To the airport, then, Miss Avery?”

“Yes, please,” Avery said, then turned to Lily. “I’m so excited. This will be like Christmases during high school when you were always with us.”

Lily wished she could share Avery’s excitement, but she felt empty. It wasn’t at all the same, Avery was married and Lily was supposed to be engaged. She forced a smile since she didn’t want to bring everyone down this holiday. “Your family has always been so kind to me.”

Avery smiled, accepting Lily, as always, just the way she was. The limo pulled into the private airplane section of the airport and up to the Putnams’ white helicopter, sporting the orange script Putnam P on the side. Seeing the copter, Lily did feel a small burst of excitement.

“See, you’re smiling, Lils,” Avery said as they climb out onto the tarmac. Mrs. Putnam emerged from another car and the three women walked to the helicopter. “My dad is coming over this afternoon. It’s a girls’ flight now.”