“Asher! Mate!” Ollie jogs down the stairs and practically bodyslams Asher into a hug.

“I see you’ve stopped arguing with Tories on Twitter long enough to catch a flight out of the UK,” Asher laughs.

“What can I say? I’m very passionate and they’re a bunch of soggy twats.”

“How vivid.” Asher frowns.

They follow me back into the living room where Ana and Willa are taking turns making Lily laugh. Three minutes ago, I would have joined right in. But now I can’t get my coat on fast enough.

“Asher.” Ana’s face falls when she sees him. “How was your meeting with Vivian?”

“Long,” he says. “And expensive. Lawyers don’t believe in family discounts.”

“What’s our next move?”

“Getting all the testimonies in order,” he says. “On a more positive note, my father and brothers are never going to speak to me again. It only took twenty-seven long years.”

“How are you feeling about everything?”

“I don’t know,” he says. “I have a lot on my mind. I don’t think it’s hit me yet.”

He’s had a lot on his mind? Like Bree? And her lips? And her knock-off Gucci loafers? Bet they kept him up last night.

“At least I have one less stop to make on Christmas,” he laughs.

“Are you going out to Connecticut? With your grandparents?” Ana asks.

“No, I’m staying in the city with Morgan and Vivian,” he says. “What are you guys doing?”

“We’re spending Christmas with Vinny’s family, and then we’re hopping on a plane to Auckland after New Year’s to see my parents. Because flying twenty hours with a seven-month-old is exactly what I wanted for Christmas,” she says. “Olivia, what are you doing for the holiday?”

“Oh, y’know, seeing family upstate,” I lie, eyeing the front door. This is not a conversation I want to be involved in. “I have to get going, though. I have Christmas presents to wrap. And Love Actually is on tonight. And, oh, I think I left my curling iron on—”

“Olivia—”

“Thanks for dinner!”

“You didn’t eat,” Willa says.

“Oh, well, thanks for the popcorn!”

I run out of there faster than I’ve ever run before. I get halfway to the subway station before I realize I still have my face mask on.

* * *

To: Loveridge & McGowan Employee Network

Cc: Ana Loveridge-Herrera

From: Olivia Langley

Subject: Secret Santa Swap!

Secret Santa’s making their list and checking it twice! They’re gonna find out who keeps replying to all on every global email!

I hope everyone’s enjoying working from home for the rest of the year! Our company Christmas party has been moved to the Roof on Seventh on December 19th at 7:00 p.m. Come and enjoy the open bar and hors d’oeuvres, and bring your Secret Santa Swap gifts!

Yours truly,

O. Langley

Social Media Intern & Santa’s Executive Helper

Loveridge & McGowan International