His smile was genuine and his voice filled with warmth. “I’m happy to hear it.”
“How about you?” she asked. “Are you happy?”
He stared at her for so long they both looked away with a little laugh.
“Is that a no?” she asked, sympathy in her eyes.
He sighed. “Not a no, just…” He took a deep breath. “Sometimes I wish I could go back and do it all over.”
“You’d do things differently?” she asked softly.
He nodded, emotions making his throat feel too tight. “I’d do it all different.”
Her eyes were soft. Warm. Filled with understanding and regret and…
Did she feel the same?
If they could go back and do it all over...would she give him a second chance?
He opened his mouth, aching to give voice to that question, but what would it accomplish?
Better not to push his luck. He ought to be grateful that she was letting him into her home. That they would have a Christmas together...again.
At last.
“Hey Reggie…” He raised his mug with a smile and gave a pointed look to the clock on the wall that had just passed midnight. “Merry Christmas.”
She lifted her mug to cheers his with a grin. “Merry Christmas, Tyler.”
Chapter 4
The next morning brought sunshine through Regina’s windows, snow falling past her curtains, and the absolute certainty that she’d just woken from the perfect dream.
It had to have been a dream, right?
She hadn’t really had hot cocoa with her first boyfriend...had she? She hadn’t spent the early hours of the morning laughing at her kitchen table with the man who’d broken her heart...had she?
“Merry Christmas, sunshine!” Her mother’s voice outside her door had her sitting upright.
It was Christmas, and that mistletoe in her kitchen…
The flight she’d missed…
Her mother’s presence in her house…
It all pointed to one thing.
She had not been dreaming.
Flashes came back to her in fits and starts. Laughter. Conversation. Catching up on big things, little things...all the things.
She groaned as she lifted her hands to her cheeks. It wasn’t embarrassment, necessarily, or even pain, it was…
Weirdness.
She couldn’t quite put her finger on this sensation that made her ribcage feel too small and her insides flutter like she was about to perform on stage.
Oh goodness, was this… Was she…?
No. She stamped down the feeling with a frown. She was too old to be getting girlie and giggly over her first flame.
Even if Tyler was the one guy who’d always managed to make her heart race, she’d outgrown this.
Surely she had.
“Sweetheart, are you going to join us for breakfast?” her mother called.
Us. She meant her and Norah and...Tyler.
She held the comforter to her lips as a humiliating squeal escaped. Tyler Arnold was here. In her house.
And she was about to have breakfast with him.
Throwing her legs over the side of the bed, she tossed on a sweatshirt and threw her hair into a ponytail. She glanced at her reflection but refused to fuss with her appearance.
I’m a grown-up, dang it, she informed her reflection. She would not try and impress Tyler Arnold.
Besides, he probably had a girlfriend—although she was fairly certain she would have heard about it if he did. Either from her mom, or his mom, or Callie, or Cole…
They had enough meddling friends and family between them that she’d know if he was in a serious relationship.
She gnawed on her lower lip, a foolish grin tugging at her lips even as she gave herself a mental pep talk to get it together.
Be cool. Be calm. Be a freakin’ grown-up.
She gave her reflection a short nod and then went downstairs to greet the others.
“Well, I see everyone made it through the night without killing each other,” Norah said with a beaming smile as Regina entered the kitchen.
Her mother was at the oven and the room smelled like bacon. Tyler was sitting at the kitchen table, exactly where she’d left him the night before. Except that this morning he was showered, shaved, dressed and sipping what she assumed was coffee instead of cocoa.
He flashed her a grin that would make any grown woman swoon, and she tucked some hair behind her ear, wishing with all her might that she’d taken a shower or at least brushed her teeth before rushing down here.
She ought to have been used to this. The guy had always been too handsome for his own good with the blonde hair and the classic surfer boy vibe.
He had that vibe for a reason. He had been a surfer when they were growing up near the coast of California.
He’d surfed, and she’d been a joiner. She’d been a classic straightlaced overachiever with the straight-A grades and the leadership role in every school club and organization.
They’d evened each other out. He’d helped her to chill out and not get an ulcer by the age of eighteen and she’d helped keep him on the straight and narrow.
She found herself laughing softly as she helped herself to a cup of coffee and listened to the comfortable banter going on between their mothers about when to open gifts and how much bacon was too much.
There was no such thing as too much bacon, according to Regina’s mom.
“What are you laughing about?” His voice next to her made her start and some coffee sloshed over the side of the mug.
She gave her head a quick shake as she turned to find him smiling down at her. His smile was so warm and affectionate, she blurted out the truth. “I was just thinking that it’s ironic...the way things worked out for us.”
His grin faded and she felt a stab of guilt. She hadn’t meant to make Christmas morning weird or filled with tension. But it was hard to be around Tyler without the past surfacing. Surely it was better to get it out in the open...right?
She’d never been a believer in beating about the bush. Straightforward, honest...brave. That was who she’d been back when they were younger.
That was who she was trying to be now.
So when Tyler asked, “How so?” she didn’t hesitate to answer.
“It’s just kind of funny that the lazy surfer boy who couldn’t get his homework done on time to save his life became the career-obsessed Hollywood executive while the type-A workaholic became…” She held her hands out wide, as if showing off her frumpy pajamas and messy hair. “This.”
He smirked and gestured toward her from head to toe. “This is working for you.”
She narrowed her eyes but she couldn’t stop the smile that was tugging at her lips. “Are you flirting with me, Tyler Arnold?”
His smile was totally unapologetic. “Would you hurt me if I was?”
She picked up the spoon she’d used to stir cream into her coffee and held it out like a knife. “You know I can take you.”
He held his hands up in mock defense. “I know, I know.”
They both burst out laughing at the old joke. Once upon a time she’d threatened his life on a daily basis—usually in jest. Only once had she been so furious she’d actually wanted to hurt him.
In her defense, he had just broken off their engagement.
Her mind flashed back to the night he’d shown up on her doorstep begging her to call off her wedding. A phone might have been thrown…
Okay, fine. There were two times when she’d actually wanted to hurt him.
And there were countless nights when she’d cursed his name as she fell asleep.
Just like that, the atmosphere between them shifted. She looked down at her coffee and he shoved his hands into his jeans pockets.
Their mothers were seemingly oblivious to the newfound tension because they were now bickering over how long the cinnamon roll needed to be in the oven to be reheated.
She cleared her throat. “Sorry, I didn
’t mean to make things weird.”
“What did you mean just now?” His sudden question—and the intensity behind it—had her staring at him with wide eyes.
“What?”
He gestured toward her again. “You were making fun of yourself. What did you mean?”
She rolled her eyes. Wasn’t it obvious? “You got the dream career and I’m…” She shook her head as she drew in a deep breath. “I’m a divorcee working in a vet’s clinic as a glorified receptionist.”
She gave a rueful laugh because...it didn’t sound ideal. But the thing was, she actually loved working for Daniel, and becoming friends with him and Leah had opened her world in ways she hadn’t even realized she’d been missing.
“You make it sound like you’re not happy,” he said, a frown creasing his forehead.
She gave him a little nudge with her elbow as she moved past him to the table where their moms had started piling up more food than the four of them could possibly consume.
“Relax, Ty. I’m allowed to laugh at myself. It’s not a big deal.”
He shifted, following her over, and she just knew he had questions. Things he wanted to say. No doubt he was curious about why her marriage ended.
She’d been so stubbornly set on marrying Dean the last time they’d seen each other.
So stupidly stubborn.
She hadn’t listened to Tyler’s arguments that she wasn’t meant to be a politician’s wife or that she didn’t know her fiancé well enough to make that sort of commitment.
She’d grown livid when he’d pointed out that she was rushing into marriage because she was still heartbroken over him.
That was when a phone had been tossed.
Okay, maybe the phone had been chucked across the room. Whatever.
“What are you two whispering about over there?” Norah asked.
Regina and Tyler wore matching smiles as they slid into their seats and dug into the feast.
“Just wishing each other a Merry Christmas,” Tyler lied.
Regina shot him a smirk that he returned.
Some things hadn’t changed. When it came to dealing with their mothers, they were still on the same page.
A united front.
Even during their breakup it had been an unspoken truce between them.
The mothers could not be involved.
With Regina’s father walking out when she was a baby, and then Tyler’s father’s death years ago, their mothers were just as much family to one another as any blood. Which made Norah a second mother to Regina and Deborah a second mom to Tyler.
They wouldn’t mess with that for anything.
“Eat up, kids,” Norah said as she sat beside them.
They didn’t need to be told twice.
Chapter 5
Tyler couldn’t stop smiling.
Like...it was problematic how much he was smiling.
His cheeks hurt and he felt like a fool, but there was nothing to be done. Watching Regina open gifts on Christmas morning was officially his new favorite pastime.
“Mom, you shouldn’t have!” Her gorgeous face was lit up with a smile that few people were lucky enough to see.
He’d always known he was one of the lucky ones, even as a kid. She was hard to get to know, but if you worked your way past the icy shell and the oh-so-serious outer layer—it was worth the effort. Because beneath all that she was warm and passionate and funny and kind…
And she’d been his.
Once upon a time she’d been his.
He’d seen this smile every day of his life.
And oh, how he’d missed it.
He hadn’t even known how much he’d missed it until it came back into his life. And now…?
“You like it?” her mother was asking.
Regina held up the hideous sweater that he knew without a doubt she thought was ugly and said, “I love it.”
And she meant it. Because that was the kind of person she was. She didn’t see an ugly sweater, she saw a gift from a loved one. She saw a token of appreciation.
“It’ll hide cat fur,” Tyler’s mom said approvingly.
Tyler’s brows drew together at that, and when Regina glanced over he saw her fighting a laugh. “It definitely will.”
“Sweetheart, I’m so sorry I don’t have anything for you,” his mother continued, her expression filled with genuine concern as though he were ten years old and not well into his thirties. “I sent your present to your home in Los Angeles and—”
“And that will make for an excellent surprise when I get home,” he finished. “I sent yours as well, but I did stop and get you this.”
He handed his mother and Deb each a box of cannolis and cookies from their favorite shop in Little Italy.
“Oh, these look delicious!”
Deb’s smile faltered and she bit her lip as she eyed the boxes with longing. “We should bring them to Callie’s party today, shouldn’t we?” She exchanged a look with Norah. “We really ought to share.”
They looked so bummed that he and Regina shared another laughing glance.
“Actually,” Regina said. “You should feel free to keep them all for yourselves. Our friend Angela owns a bakery downtown and she’s already promised to supply a ton of goodies.”
She looked at the clock on the wall. “Speaking of… I should get showered and dressed. I told her I’d swing by to pick up the pastries and desserts this morning.”
“I’ll come with you.” He’d said it quickly. Perhaps too quickly judging by the looks he was getting from all three women.
But all morning he’d been trying to figure out how he could get another moment alone with Regina, and this was it.
She gave him a quick questioning look before smiling. “Okay, sure.”
He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, his shoulders relaxing now that he’d secured a moment alone with her.
A second later his mouth went dry.
What was he going to say?
He still wasn’t sure. Well, he knew the general gist. He wanted a second chance. He wanted to try again.
He’d known it for years—pretty much ever since he’d walked out on her all those years ago. But there had never seemed to be a good time. He’d become convinced that he’d missed his shot.
But then she split with her husband and now….here they were.
Together.
Both single. Both over their anger and their issues that had kept them apart...or at least, that’s what it seemed. He couldn’t know for sure until he asked her outright.
A little while later, he planned to do just that.
“Come on,” he said as they got out of the car near the bakery.
She pointed to the door. “But the bakery is this way. I know it looks closed, but I have the key.”
He reached for her hand and tugged. “Yes, but the tree is this way.”
She followed along until they reached the square in the middle of town. Sure enough, there was a large Christmas tree covered in lights that twinkled brightly in this gray overcast day. He pointed to it in triumph. “The tree.”
She laughed. “I knew there was a tree here because I live here but...how did you know?”
He grinned. “It was a lucky guess. This is Friar Hollow, after all. This town definitely likes to celebrate.”
She nodded. “That they do. You should have seen this place two nights ago. The entire town was out to sing carols and exchange cookies.”
“Cole must have loved the singing.”
She snickered at the image of their gruff handyman friend singing carols. “I think he loved that Callie loved it,” she said.
He nodded slowly. “Yeah, now that I can see.”
She tapped his shoulder lightly. “They’ll both be so happy to see you. They miss you when you don’t visit.”
He swallowed down a wave of nerves that threatened to stop him from saying what he needed to say. This was his opening. This could quite possibly be the last time
they were alone together until he left. “And you?”
Her eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
“Are you happy I’m here? Did you…” He cleared his throat. “Did you miss me?”
The look in her eyes grew wary. “Tyler, I…”
“Sorry,” he said quickly. “I didn’t mean to put you on the spot. I guess what I really meant to say was, I’m glad I’m here...because I’ve missed you.”
Her eyes were soft, her expression filled with tenderness and regret and a million other emotions he couldn’t name.
To think people used to call her the ice queen in high school.
That stoic facade was likely why her ex had thought she’d make a great political wife—she had the looks and poise that would make her a perfect candidate herself.
But anyone who truly knew her knew that facade was skin deep.
She wore it like a shield because deep down, when all was said and done...she was sensitive and sweet and caring, and if she wore her heart on her sleeve, she’d never survive in this world.
But he knew that.
And yet he’d still hurt her.
“Tyler…” His name came out on a sigh but it was all she said.
“I know this is sudden, but I don’t know how much time we’ll have to...to talk.”
The square was deserted except for them and a biting wind had him moving toward her to shelter her from the breeze.
“Here? Now?” She arched a brow and looked around meaningfully.
He licked his lips. “I know there’s too much to say it all now. I have so many things to apologize for… So many things to tell you....”
Her lips parted, and her brows hitched up, and her eyes looked dazed with shock.
“Look, I know a lot of time has passed, but seeing you again...being here with you…”
His mind went temporarily blank. It froze up as if the cold air whipping around him had gone straight to his brain and left it a block of ice.
“Being here with me…?” she prompted.
He let out a huff of air. This was crazy. The last time they’d seen each other they’d both said things they could never take back. He’d left her. She’d married another man. There was so much history here and the air between them seemed to fill with it, making anything he could say feel completely inadequate.
'Tis the Season for Love: A Charity Box Set Page 3