“That’s what you want, isn’t it?”

“More than I knew.”

I looked around. The sky beyond the windows was dark. “I know I just had a protein snack…” —my cheeks warmed— “but I could make us some food while you get our tree in its stand and then we can decorate it.”

25. Julia

Julia

Van wrapped his arm around me as we both stared at the tree. He’d taken strands of garland of silver and gold, silver beads, and white, gold, and silver ornaments from his office. I imagined one of his employees showing up and wondering who vandalized the tree. My guess would be that the CEO would be their last suspect. He had left the lights. Without electricity, they wouldn’t do us much good.

“It’s the best tree I’ve ever seen,” I said, leaning against his side.

His head tilted the same direction as the slightly leaning tree. “It’s definitely interesting.”

I pushed up on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “It’s hard to believe we were here only a week ago.”

Taking my hands, Van’s gaze washed over me. “Finding you was the best thing I’ve done in my whole life.”

A smile lifted my cheeks. “That’s a long time.”

His head shook. “It’s enough time to make a lot of mistakes. This—between us—has been a whirlwind, but it’s not a mistake.”

“I agree. A mistake wouldn’t feel this good.”

Our dinner was behind us and our stomachs filled as we sat cross-legged together on the pile of rugs before the fireplace. It was the exact same place we’d had those nectarines and mugs of coffee a week earlier. The flames flickered and snapped as the damp wood hissed and spit.

The silence settled around us, cocooning us in our cabin in the snow globe, when finally, Van spoke, “My niece is ten years old. Her name is Brooklyn.”

I turned, watching Van’s profile. What he was saying was a gift to me, even more so than our festive decorations. His protruding brow furrowed and his jaw clenched as he stared at the flames. I started to ask if she was his sister’s child, since Margaret had asked if I was Van’s sister, but before I spoke, he went on.

“She’s my brother’s daughter. He and I haven’t spoken for over a decade.”

I laid my hand on his jean-clad thigh, silently encouraging Van to continue.

He let out a long breath. “He and his wife were having some financial problems. I’d already walked away from my family and had achieved what many would consider success.” His nostrils flared. “I fucked up. If I were him, I wouldn’t talk to me either.”

“What happened?”

“I wanted more. Nothing was ever enough. I wanted every asshole who ever stood in my way or ever doubted me to suffer.”