Page 13 of A Winter Wish

“Well, you’ve made it perfectly clear you don’t want any of this.”

She folded her arms. “And why would I? Want this?”

“Interfering with some grand plan, is it? What was it you were doing, off babysitting some posh kids while they’re on their skiing break?”

She felt her cheeks flush, even though she had nothing to be embarrassed about—he could think what he liked, it didn’t make her choices any less valid. “As opposed to jumping on an old man’s company so you can take it all on as your own idea?”

He looked at her for a moment, assessing her. Then he said quietly, “I would never portray it as if it were my idea.” She frowned, opening her mouth to speak, but he cut her off. “And your dad wasn’t that old.”

It was a punch to the gut, even as she tried to ignore it, and she dropped her hands to her sides. There was a flash of memory, coming from nowhere.

Do you have to be such a cliché, Richard? Sleeping with someone younger and prettier? You’re too old for this shit—you need to grow up.

I’m forty-three, that’s hardly old! And she’s only a few years younger. It’s not like…

Then her dad noticed her, hovering in the doorway, having come downstairs in the night for water. Hey, Little Lex! The smile he gave her was awkward. Do you need something to drink? Here, I’ll—

I’ll get it, her mum snapped. And her dad looked between them, then sighed, leaving the kitchen, running his hand across Lexie’s shoulder as he did so.

Her mum was quiet as she got a glass down, filled it with water. But Lexie could see her lip trembling. So she went over and gave her a hug. I think you’re pretty, Mummy.

Her mum wrapped her arms around Lexie, squeezing so tight it hurt, but Lexie didn’t tell her that. Thank you, my darling.

She’d nearly forgotten moments like that—or had tried to, anyway. Moments like that were why she didn’t like people arguing around her as an adult—why she tried to avoid conflict when she could. You didn’t have to be a genius to work that out. Yet here she was, arguing away. Theo seemed to know just how to get under her skin.

Theo was watching her, a frown playing across his forehead. He opened his mouth to say something, but Lexie cut him off. “Look, let’s just—”

But she didn’t finish, because her phone started ringing in her hand. Turning her back on Theo, she answered. “Hi, Mum.”

“How are you getting on?”

“I’m coming back now.”

“OK, just trying to decide whether to start the blinis.”

“Oh, I can help you do that when I’m—”

“Nonsense, I’ll get cracking.” Then she laughed. “Cracking! Like the eggs!”

Despite herself, Lexie let out a little laugh too. “I’ll be as quick as I can.”

She turned back to Theo to see him standing there, holding her wish jar. “What’s this?” he asked, his voice mildly curious.

“It’s mine,” she snapped. “That’s what it is.” And OK, she was trying not to argue, but you shouldn’t go around just grabbing other people’s private possessions, even if they are sitting out in the open. She went to take it, but he moved it out of reach. “Give it back.”

His lips twisted into a smile. “I’ll give it back if you tell me what it is.”

“Seriously? What are you, ten?”

His smile grew a little lighter, and she wondered for a moment what his true smile looked like, and whether it would make his eyes flare like they did when he was angry.

She pushed her hair back impatiently. “It’s a wish jar, OK?”

“A what?”

“It’s where you…Never mind.” It sounded stupid, saying it out loud. And it was none of his damn business, anyway.

He gave it back as promised, putting it on the desk, and she cleared her throat.