“I socialize every day. I’m working, remember?” The truth was between her job, holiday shopping and taking care of the kids, Lina barely had any free time. Even her time with Nick was limited to only a dinner or two a week.

“Who are you shopping for? I can’t imagine Logan wearing that. It looks like a biker’s jacket.”

“I was thinking about Matt.” Lina’s attention returned to the jacket. “I’ve noticed his is looking a little worse for the wear.”

“So they’re still going strong?”

“Oh, yes.” Lina found the right size and lifted the jacket from the rack. “You know what the funny thing is? As a direct result of their relationship, my relationship with Katie is improving. Matt likes coming over to the house, so she spends more time at home. She’s no longer escaping to Emma’s every chance she gets. And she’s starting to talk to me again. She still likes to argue, but I think that’s just her. I told her the other day she should consider being a lawyer.”

“Has Phil met him yet?” Diane asked.

“No, but he’s not going to be put off much longer. I think he’s agreed to wait until after the holidays. I know Katie’s nervous about it, but I think it’s going to be fine.”

“What did you decide about Christmas? Are you splitting the time or—”

“He’s spending it with us,” Lina admitted. “He’s coming Christmas Eve and staying through Christmas Day.”

“Really?” A smile lit up Diane’s features.

“Don’t make a big deal about it.”

“But it is a big deal. He’s spending the night?”

“In the basement. It’s for the kids.”

“I’m sure it is,” Diane said, the smile remaining on her face. “I’ll stop by tomorrow with some mistletoe.”

“Ha. Ha.” Lina handed the jacket and her credit card to the cashier. “It was the only solution that made sense. Megan was insisting on spending Christmas Eve with Phil so he wouldn’t be alone, and Logan was upset with Megan. It was just the best solution.”

Chapter 43

43

“Merry Christmas,” Nick said as he slid a gift across the table to Lina. It was three days before Christmas and they’d met in Baltimore for dinner.

“Did you wrap this yourself?” It was obviously a book, perfectly wrapped in holiday paper.

“I did.”

Lina smiled. “I’m impressed. Whenever Phil tries to wrap something it’s uneven and looks...” She trailed off. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

“I have something for you too,” she said before handing him the Rumi book she’d bought him. “Hopefully you don’t have it yet.”

“No, I don’t,” he said after unwrapping it, his eyes traveling over the cover. “Thank you.”