* * *
To Abbey’s surprise, the painters had made it out to do the other two bedrooms this afternoon. Abbey was so excited, she’d gone to find Nick. Last night, he’d offered to help her with the others. While she’d enjoyed herself, painting with him, she didn’t want to impose on his time, and she was happy to tell him he wouldn’t have to help her.
Abbey found him in the ballroom, and he was on the phone. He motioned for her to come and sit on the sofa as he finished his call. She looked around the room so as not to make eye contact and appear to eavesdrop, but as she let her eyes fall on the piano, she heard something about him traveling somewhere.
“Are you taking a trip?” she asked, standing up to face him as he hung up the phone. She worried about him flying in all this snow.
He cleared his throat. “I’m going to New York the day after tomorrow. I’ll be gone all week,” Nick said.
“Oh.”
“I’m going because I’m house hunting. I’m planning on moving just after Christmas. I haven’t told anyone except Robin yet.” He looked over her head for a moment as if he had to collect his thoughts. “It’s just easier to do what I do from a larger city. I could make more money in New York, and I feel that if I could be more hands-on with the business, be able to meet with people face to face, be available on a moment’s notice—if I could do that, things could grow on a grander scale than they are here. My living in Richmond is the last remnant of my marriage, and I’m ready to make a change.”
She stared at him, taking in this news. It was like someone had kicked her in the stomach, and all the possibilities rushed right down the drain. Her mind went to Max. She walked over to the piano bench and sat down. “You promised to go to Max’s school,” she said quietly.
“I will keep that promise,” he said.
Reality set in, the weight of it slamming against her temples and making them pound. He’d only just met her. They didn’t have any kind of relationship that would warrant keeping him here.
She understood that it should be easy to walk away, for the very reason that they hadn’t known each other very long, but the thought of not seeing him again and Max’s loss of a real man in his life made her feel like she had a cinder block on her chest.
“I can tell you’re upset.”
She tried to straighten out her face but was unsuccessful.
“I’m sorry I kissed you,” he said sitting down next to her.
His face came into a sharp focus. “You’re sorry?”
“I was simply acting on my feelings, and I should’ve thought it through. I didn’t mean to cross the personal–professional line.”
“What about eating tacos, dancing with me, the snowball fights, painting… Those weren’t crossing the personal–professional line? You even said you cared about me.”
“I do. And I don’t think we should allow things to move any further given my plans to leave. It was my fault for allowing it to progress as much as it has. After Christmas, I’ll be gone.”
Abbey realized something at that moment. “Is Caroline moving with you?” she asked. If he planned on taking Caroline with him, Abbey would be out of a job. She felt sick. She’d have to start looking as soon as she could get her car out. What was shaping up to be the best Christmas was now looking like one of her worst.
“Yes. She’ll be leaving as well. I was going to give you a month’s pay with your notice.”
“I think I need to have a moment to myself to process all of this,” she said. “I’m just going to go upstairs.” She stood up, blinked her eyes clear, and took in a breath. But then she turned around. He was still, his eyes on her. “I’m not sorry I kissed you,” she said. “I’m not sorry at all.” She walked back over to him, still not ready to leave this conversation.
“I’m glad I kissed you too. I meant it. I just think it made things harder, and that’s why I’m sorry.”
“Then why didn’t you say that?” she said, sitting back down next to him. She was so glad to hear him opening up a little and telling her how he really felt.
“I’m not as practiced at telling my feelings as you are.”
“What do you mean I’m practiced at telling my feelings?” she asked.
“You’re really good at it,” he said, his face shifting into a happier expression. “I can honestly say that I am fully aware of all your emotions as you are having them.” He was smiling at her now.
“Is that so?” She looked up and put her arms around him. The skin between his eyes wrinkled as he waited for an explanation for her behavior. Without another word, she leaned down and gave him a kiss.