“In life, sometimes, we need a partner…” he said.
Oh, God.
“I’ve realized I can’t do this alone.”
Her fears made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. She worked to control her breathing as she looked down at the table, not wanting to face what was being said right there in front of her. Maybe because she was curious or because she liked to torture herself, she looked back up at Adam.
“As you all know, I have been very busy with the expansion project. I know my work has consumed far too much of my time, and I need someone I trust to help me with this. That’s why I’ve hired Andy to manage the expansion. I will be overseeing the project, but it will be Andy who will be in charge of managing the whole thing. Her help on this phase of the business will not only be of huge benefit to the brewery, but it will give me more time to spend with you all.” He winked in the direction of the twins. “Congratulations, Andy.”
Everyone clapped, snapping Carrie out of her thoughts. He hadn’t said he was marrying Andy. He hadn’t even mentioned anything about being with her. Before she could process anything else, an unfamiliar man came forward and kissed Andy on the cheek. “I’m proud of you,” he said to her.
“This is my husband, Jack,” she introduced him.
Husband.
The entire table had gone about talking, but Carrie sat there stunned. Relief flooded her, filling every part of her body. Andy was married. All the thoughts she’d had and pushed away, all the potential moments she imagined she could make with Adam and the kids, they came floating back, her hopes rising up into the air with all the possibilities. All the looks Adam had given her, all the signals, had they all been real? Did he find her attractive? Did he like being around her as much as she liked being around him? Having Andy to focus on the expansion would allow him more time to be with everyone. With her?
He turned and looked at Carrie. She knew that look. This time, she knew without a doubt that it was meant for her. She wasn’t misreading it. He was letting her know how he felt. But now, she had so many questions: She was leaving in almost a week to return to North Carolina—what about that? The children would be with their mother again, and Adam wouldn’t need her anymore. How did he feel about her? What was he thinking? Did he want her to stay? All the questions were bouncing around her head still as everyone else broke into excited chatter.
Adam walked over to Sharon and sat down next to her. “I’m sorry,” she heard him say. “I’ve been awful and I’ll make it better. I promise.”
She smiled at him. “You just did.” She put her head on his shoulder, and Carrie looked away from them to keep herself from tearing up.
Carrie turned to all the familiar faces, and she thought how even if nothing went any further with Adam—she’d have to figure out how to deal with that—she was glad that she could leave knowing she had succeeded.
“Look!” Olivia said, her feet moving so fast Carrie worried she’d take a spill right onto the bricks of the sidewalk. She was pointing and running, David trailing behind her, as they made their way toward the area roped off for Santa. He was sitting on an enormous throne, his beautiful white hair and beard combed perfectly, little curls at the bottom. It was so cold outside that there wasn’t even a line, and Carrie wondered if Santa’s cheeks were blushed on or if the cold had done it naturally. He waved at Olivia with a white, gloved hand and let out a “Ho, ho, ho!”
“Hi, Santa!” Olivia said, slowing down to move through the velvet ropes to enter the area. She climbed onto his lap as David walked up cautiously. Once both children were settled, there was a snap and a blinding pulse of light as the camera went off, their images showing on the screen of a small monitor at the podium. As Santa made small talk with the children, Adam came up behind Carrie and, to her surprise, put his hands on her shoulders. It was a very personal gesture—his body close enough to her back that she could feel the warmth of him. She turned and looked up at him more out of astonishment than anything else. He looked as though he’d only just realized what he’d done, his gaze falling on his hands still resting on her shoulders. Then there was that little quiet laugh of his and a smile that made her forget all about the cold outside. She looked over at the rest of the family who were all watching the children. All except for Joyce. She was staring straight at Carrie with a smile on her face.
“And what would you like for Christmas?” Santa asked Olivia.
“I’d like my daddy to take me ice skating with Snow White.”